In these days of war in Ukraine, everyone's eyes are on that country. The thing that stands out everywhere is the mobilization of local Chabad members to help those around them in this difficult time.
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Here in Israel, and throughout the world - many stand in amazement: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett published a special post about their dedication, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman called them the 'Army of God' - and many more never cease to praise the emissaries there.
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Where does the strength come from? Where does the strength of the soul come from? Where does their simple determination to stay there, despite the danger, come from?
Rabbi Chaim of Brisk is known for his saying regarding the permission to eat on Yom Kippur during a pandemic - that this ruling is not a slur in Yom Kippur law, but rather a stricture in the law of Pikuach Nefesh. Pikuach Nefesh is the most important thing, and this law must be made strict even at the expense of eating on Yom Kippur.
According to this ruling, it is difficult to understand the decision of the Chabad emissaries to remain in their communities in Ukraine, despite the clear danger posed by the war and despite the fact that they had the opportunity to leave for a safe place before the war began.
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Thirty years ago, when a similar event occurred, the Lubavitcher Rebbe told his emissaries in those places that they should stay and not flee. Thus, like loyal soldiers who had made a covenant, the emissaries remained at their mission site.
One of them explained at the time that this is not a "kola" in the laws of Pikuach Nefesh, but a "mission to severity.".
Many are trying to understand how and why Chabad emissaries are so faithful to their mission in those places around the world, at all times, and certainly in difficult times - like those we see in Ukraine.
Two weeks ago, on Wednesday, the night before the invasion, I spoke with some of the Chabad emissaries in Ukraine who are our graduates at the Binani Institute. I asked them what the situation was like for them and whether they intended to stay or flee.
One of the missionaries explained to me that for him, there was no option to escape. "I don't see a possibility of ending the mission," he said. "A mission is something that is above reason and rational understanding, it is above local changes and it has no expiration date. It is forever. And even after 120, that's where the burial will be.".
I once heard a writer describe the uniqueness of Chabad emissaries.
As an example of what this is like, there was once a man who asked his friend - 'Tell me, please, why, before performing an operation, do they inquire about the doctor, what his experience is, what degree he has, where he studied medicine, etc., while when you get on a plane, no one is interested in where the pilot took his pilot course?''
The friend replied: Because in a flight, the pilot is with you on the flight. So if it's good for the pilot, it's good for you too.
The same goes for Chabad emissaries. A Chabad emissary, who is the Rebbe's emissary in every place - has made a covenant. There are no set boundaries to the role. His role is total dedication to the place of mission, without limitation. Both the duration of the mission, the emissary is sent there - until the coming of the Messiah. Both the daily hours of activity - he can be called at any time of the day, sometimes even in the wee hours of the night. Both the areas of activity - the job definition is everything that Jews in the place need. Rabbi, Torah reciter, marriage counselor, Chevra Kadisha, etc. The emissary does not have a personal "name". His entire reality is the execution of the mission assigned to him.
Chabad emissaries are like captains, and therefore they do not consider leaving their communities, and until the very last possible moment, they remain with the communities. Like Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak Wolf, who we see these days how he remained in the city of Kherson, which was occupied by the Russians, and desperately tries to help the Jews there.
He said: Everything I learned over 30 years prepared me for this special situation!
Because indeed the teachings of Hasidism, which teach important elements of religion, such as the true essence of the world and the purpose of its creation, the true essence of a Jew, which causes true love of Israel, together with a tremendous spiritual connection with the sending Rebbe, gives strength to cope even in these difficult situations.
And yes, those who no longer had a choice, and were forced to flee with their communities, and with their orphanage children - continue their mission and take full responsibility for ensuring that everyone manages to find a suitable shelter for themselves.
