This coming Tuesday we will mark the 30th anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's death. The thought of the thirty years that have passed since that bitter day pierces the heart. How much we miss his illuminating image, his clear voice, his insightful advice, and his illuminating analysis of the problems of our generation at this time.
And yet, it is precisely at this time that we see how present his figure and teachings are in the lives of the people. It is as if the general public has only discovered his immense treasures in recent decades. More and more circles are finding increasing interest in his teachings, his ideas, and his understanding of the questions of life for the Jewish people in our time.
Suddenly, the depth of his vision and the strength of the path he outlined become clear.
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It is difficult to determine what causes this phenomenon. Perhaps it is the unimaginable success of the Shluchim enterprise, which has doubled and tripled and reached gigantic proportions precisely in these thirty years. This enterprise - which is all about dedication and endless sacrifice for the sake of the people of Israel - expands and grows year by year, contrary to all predictions and assessments, and all due to the power of the Rebbe.
Judaism is confident in itself
And perhaps this is the amazing appropriateness of what he said. How the Rebbe cried out and warned against concessions and retreats and against negotiating with terrorist organizations. In his heart of hearts, he warned that these talks would encourage terrorism and increase global pressure on Israel. He urged the leaders of the country not to give up the territories of the Land of Israel, because any territory that is given to our enemies will serve as a base for an attack against us. Unfortunately, he was not heeded, and all his warnings came true to the letter.
In a world of sectarian and sectoral vision, the Rebbe saw the entire Jewish people before his eyes. His sleep wandered from the difficulty of providing Jewish education in Morocco and the lack of a mikveh in New Zealand. He was troubled by the shortage of holy utensils in the Soviet Union and the impossibility of baking matzah in Iran. He harnessed his followers to these challenges, and alongside them he mobilized every possible factor for the cultivation of Jewish life throughout the world.
In addition to all of this, the Rebbe represented a self-confident vision of Judaism, which is not intimidated by the outside world and the advancement of science and technology. He taught Gaon Yaakov what it is. To walk in Jewish clothing in every corner of the world, without hiding or being ashamed. To place tefillin in the streets of cities. To place menorahs in the main squares around the world. And it turned out that the world appreciates this and respects Judaism and its standard bearers.
Strengthening Day
This concept is generating more and more interest. Many are trying to get to its roots and depths.
Where does this power come from? Where do we draw the strength to go to the most remote places, raise God-fearing children there, and become a magnet for the masses?
This approach has its roots in the Rebbe’s profound teachings, which present a concept of wholeness – wholeness between all parts of the Torah, between the Torah and the world, and between man and his Creator. It is this point of unity and wholeness that characterizes the Rebbe’s spiritual teachings, and it is what attracts so many to them.
The Day of Rejoicing on the 3rd of Tammuz is a time to strengthen ourselves in walking in His path, to learn more of His Torah, and to work toward the fulfillment of the central destiny of our generation - the true and complete redemption through our righteous Messiah.
