The Eternal Life of the Rebbe: Difference between revisions

Due to this belief, Chabad Chassidim refused before the 3rd of Tammuz 5754 to acknowledge the possibility of passing regarding the Rebbe melech hamoshiach, and even afterwards believers maintain that the Rebbe is alive and well and conduct themselves accordingly.

Since the Rebbe's ascension to leadership, he made it clear that our generation would merit redemption.

All Chabad Chassidim refused then to consider the possibility that this expectation would not materialize. According to the Rebbe's words - all were united in belief that the Rebbe, as melech hamoshiach who began revealing himself, would live eternally - and any other possibility was as implausible as the sun stopping to shine.

Following this - when news arrived on 3rd of Tammuz 5754 about the Rebbe's disappearance from sight, appearing outwardly as passing, all Chassidim spontaneously felt such an event was impossible. Before any differences in how to receive and relate to these things, it was clear to all that the event was absurd and there was no doubt the Rebbe would immediately reveal himself as melech hamoshiach and show it was all imaginary.

Despite differences of opinion among Chabad Chassidim regarding the relationship to this day and event, and definition of the Rebbe's life - many Chassidim including prominent rabbis and mentors believed and believe the Rebbe is alive and existing in physical body without any change, and refused to acknowledge the event of passing which according to the Rebbe cannot occur. Especially based on the fact that originally the 3rd of Tammuz was a holiday for Chassidim following the Previous Rebbe's redemption, and even the Rebbe celebrated and marked it, always referring to it in this context.

The ideological background for the Chabad belief in the Rebbe's eternal life is rooted in fundamental ideas in Chabad teachings and Torah in general, as follows.

In the Torah, the topic of a main Jewish leader, "Nasi HaDor," appears several times. His role is to connect all Jews to Hashem and additionally transmit Hashem's word to them. This topic is extensively explained and emphasized in Chassidic teachings, especially in the Rebbe's teachings, where it's explained that in recent generations, Chabad leaders fulfill the role of Nasi HaDor.

The Rebbe further explains that the Nasi in each generation is the Melech HaMoshiach of that generation, and he stands ready to redeem Israel if the generation merits it; and if they don't merit, the role passes to the next generation's Nasi.

Our generation, the seventh generation, was declared by the Rebbe immediately at its beginning as the seventh and completing generation of Chabad Rebbes, in which the work to bring redemption would be completed. The Rebbe repeated hundreds of times in his talks that our generation is "the last generation of exile and first generation of redemption."

Over the years, the Rebbe explained that not only will our generation merit redemption - but that redemption events have begun manifesting in this physical world. The Rebbe pointed to various events that occurred as signs of redemption, the greatest being the event of Melech HaMoshiach's revelation and his announcement "the time of your redemption has arrived," which he attributed to his own announcement in 5751. In light of this, the Rebbe determined that the Melech HaMoshiach of our generation is not just a potential candidate for the role (who could pass the role to his successor), but he received the mission and already began acting as Melech HaMoshiach - until the continuation and completion of his mission in the complete redemption.

The reason for holding to these explanations as explained in Torah sources, when reality to our eyes appears contradictory - is because the truths brought in Torah have the power to determine reality, even when our eyes see differently. This matter is explained in several places in Torah, and emphasized in Chassidic teachings and the Rebbe's teachings.

The reason for this is because belief in Hashem is not subject to judgment by our intellect and senses. The measure for determining what we should believe and what not is entrusted only to Torah guidance. Accordingly, there are several cases where Torah confronts reality as described by the senses or science, and determines that we must believe Torah's words even in these cases.

In Torah sources it's brought that Melech HaMoshiach will have eternal life, and since the Rebbe is defined as Melech HaMoshiach, he is granted eternal life. This was even ruled in a halachic ruling on 11 Nissan 5752 by Chabad rabbis and Torah scholars stating that since the Rebbe is defined as in the presumption of Moshiach, Torah's oath "that his candle will not be extinguished forever and ever" applies to him, and he will live eternal life. This ruling was read to the Rebbe on 11 Nissan 5752 and the Rebbe even encouraged its distribution in a holy response.

In light of these sources, it's understood that the Nasi HaDor, namely the Rebbe, must be a living person in his physical body in this world - and this fact is a cornerstone in Chabad Chassidic teachings. It's also clear that our generation is the generation of redemption, and our generation's Nasi will be Melech HaMoshiach and has already begun his mission to redeem the Jewish people, a mission from which there is no return. These sources are the foundation for all Chabad Chassidim's belief in the Rebbe's leadership and guidance today; and from them it also arises that this leadership must be of a living person in a physical body.

This period - where belief appears to contradict visible reality - does not weaken the faith. On the contrary, it appears this is a test meant to examine and strengthen the Chassidim's faith in the Rebbe during this period of concealment.

However, all Chassidim know and feel that the belief is not accepting of the situation, and in this period the cry of 'ad mosai' (until when) especially intensifies - when in addition to the general difficulty of the Jewish exile, the terrible difficulty of concealment where we don't see the Nasi HaDor is added - and the anticipation strengthens for the true and complete redemption when the process of the Rebbe's revelation as Melech HaMoshiach will reach completion.

* Rabbi Chaim Levi Yitzchak Ginsberg, "We Don't Understand and We Don't Ignore", Beit Moshiach Weekly, Issue 233 pages 18-20 (5759)

* Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Garelik, "Even from 'Good' One Must Be Careful", Beit Moshiach Weekly, Issue 233 pages 21-22 (5759)

* Rabbi Levi Yosef Yitzchak Krauss, "To Believe the Rebbe is Alive and Well - Why is it Necessary?", Beit Moshiach Weekly, Issue 1191 page 28 onwards (5780)

* Eternal Life in Melech HaMoshiach

* Concealed and Returns and Revealed

* Chai V'Kayam (Collection)

* The World's Calculation