Merkos Shlichus

Merkos Shlichus (also known as the Merkos Center for Education's outreach program) is a Chabad outreach activity focused on spreading Yiddishkeit, primarily during summer months. During this program, Chabad yeshiva bochurim (students) travel during their bein hazmanim (semester breaks) to remote cities and towns - especially those without permanent Chabad presence - to find local Yidden and strengthen Yiddishkeit. This program was established by the Frierdiker Rebbe in 5703 (1943) and expanded over the years, particularly under the Rebbe's leadership after accepting the nesius (leadership).

History Under the Frierdiker Rebbe

The yeshiva bochurim's shlichus through Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch began in 5703 (1943), when the Frierdiker Rebbe instructed specific talmidim to travel to designated cities to assess the state of Yiddishkeit and work on spreading Torah and mitzvos. In the early years, this shlichus was limited to selected bochurim.

In 5708 (1948), the Frierdiker Rebbe expanded the program to include all bochurim. In a letter dated 12 Tammuz that year, he wrote:

"Now, my dear beloved talmidei hatmimim, you have the obligation and mitzvah that each of you should contribute a designated time during summer vacation to visit various places and inspire the Jewish community, parents, and teachers regarding chinuch, learning schedules, and proper conduct."

In an additional letter sent that day, the Rebbe instructed the shluchim to discuss travel details with Rav Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov.

History Under the Rebbe

In 5710 (1950), after the Frierdiker Rebbe's histalkus, the Rebbe emphasized the importance of continuing Merkos Shlichus, specifically to make up for what was missing the previous year. Under the Rebbe's nesius, this shlichus expanded annually.

During the early years of the Rebbe's nesius, bochurim traveling on shlichus would have yechidus, where the Rebbe would share a sicha about their mission.

The Rebbeim's Words

During Acharon Shel Pesach 5709 (1949), the Frierdiker Rebbe praised those who went on shlichus that Pesach, saying:

"A heartfelt yasher koach to those who traveled on my shlichus to inspire Yidden - they themselves don't know what they accomplished. A yungerman comes to a city and speaks with a Yid, touches his neshama - and pure temimus bursts forth. The Yid recalls memories of his father and grandfather, becoming inspired: a bochur with a beard came to inspire, he takes time away from his business, runs over sweating to drive the bochur in his car, etc. Even though the one inspiring doesn't know what he accomplished..."

The Rebbe often emphasized that shluchim frequently cannot know the full impact of their activities, as there are many fruits of their shlichus they never see. In one sicha, the Rebbe compared these traveling shluchim to Yehoshua's meraglim (spies), who scouted Eretz Yisroel before its conquest. Similarly, the Frierdiker Rebbe would send shluchim to scout each location before sending permanent shluchim.