Editing Make yourself a Rabbi

"Make for yourself a Rav" is a commandment for every Jewish person - from young to old - to accept upon themselves and make for themselves a Rav.

= The Mishna's Instruction =
This directive is in addition to the Mishna's teaching "Who is wise? One who learns from every person." Even a great scholar who can learn from others and even learn from every person must also have a Rav - "Make for yourself a Rav" - meaning to "accept them as your Rav" and rely on their words.

According to the Rebbe's explanation, "a person is biased regarding themselves" and for this reason cannot rely on themselves. Therefore, one needs to make for themselves a Rav - to consider them greater than oneself and fulfill their words.

One who is great in Torah and fear of Heaven, and finds it difficult to find someone greater than them, should make for themselves a Rav even if they are on a lower level, because a person cannot see what advice they need in their own matters like another can see. This is hinted at in the words "make for yourself a Rav" - even if they are not worthy, there needs to be an element of "making," since the language of making refers to something that requires effort and work, even to the point of compulsion (like the term "we compel regarding charity").

= The Rebbe's Heartfelt Request =
In that talk, the Rebbe expressed himself in a special way:

"I want to add and emphasize the great importance and necessity of all that was said, also throughout the entire year, and moreover - always, every day.

Therefore, my suggestion and request - a heartfelt request (and even more than that, but I don't currently have a more fitting expression) - is to publicize these things everywhere, in my name or not in my name, according to what will be most beneficial for implementing this - that it is very worthwhile and proper for every Jewish person, men women and children, to fulfill the Mishna's instruction to 'Make for yourself a Rav,' and from time to time come to them to be 'tested' regarding their standing in divine service, which will certainly add for every Jewish person in all matters of goodness and holiness, continually increasing in light."

= The Rebbe's Innovation =
For thousands of years Jews have studied Pirkei Avot during summer Shabbatot, but there was never a widespread practice for each person to make for themselves a private, personal Rav.

The directive "Make for yourself a Rav" appears twice in Pirkei Avot. Once it states "Make for yourself a Rav and remove yourself from doubt," and a second time it states "Make for yourself a Rav and acquire for yourself a friend." The rabbis and teachers of instruction who have served the Jewish people throughout history were meant to remove doubt. Any Jew who encountered any doubt would approach a Rav to resolve the doubt.

There is another type of Rav, which is like 'acquire for yourself a friend': Sometimes, there are no doubts about a certain matter, and the person knows well that a certain action is not appropriate, but finds it difficult to actualize the soul powers needed to overcome the inclination. In such a case, one doesn't turn to the city rabbi - only a personal Rav, similar to a friend, can help in such a case. To them one can go and pour out their heart, bring them into confidence about their spiritual struggle, and receive strength and encouragement in the spiritual battle.

= Implementation of the Directive =
Despite being a Mishna teaching, throughout the generations these things did not become practical, remaining theoretical-academic. Even after the establishment of the Chassidic movement, which emphasized the importance of the Mashpia - generally this referred to a communal Mashpia, not a personal-individual one. Even when over the years the Rebbe directed Temimim to Mashpiim - these were instructions to individuals, not as a sweeping general directive. The Rebbe's innovation was in actualizing this; the Rebbe took the Mishna's instruction and instilled it into the daily lives of thousands of Chassidim and Mekusharim.

= Directive for All jews =
The Rebbe said this directive applies to all of Israel, without exception.

During the preparation days for Yud Shevat 5747, when the Rebbe suggested that during the thirty days of preparation each person should undergo three tests with their 'Rav', the Rebbe added that each of those being tested needs to give their 'Rav' permission to inform the Rebbe about the test results, since when a Chassid knows that their test results will reach the Rebbe - this affects them to add even more in all matters of preparation, so as not to be embarrassed, God forbid, by the test results.

= Choosing the Rav =
Regarding choosing the Rav, the Rebbe said the matters are explicit in Rambam: Rambam writes that "The World to Come has no body or form but only the souls of the righteous without a body, like ministering angels" - thus Rambam rules that to be like ministering angels one needs to be in a state where the soul is not biased by the body, like the state of the soul in the future - without jealousy and competition, war and hatred and the like.

Clearer criteria - the Rebbe says that at minimum the 'Rav' needs to have the three signs of the Jewish people: merciful, bashful and performers of kindness. When these three signs are visibly apparent in him, he is worthy to be a 'Rav' similar to an angel of the God of hosts.

Additionally, the Rebbe instructed that not everyone can be a Mashpia, but needs to be someone authorized.

The Rebbe's innovation in this ordinance is also in the details of the instruction. For example: The Rebbe's instruction that everyone needs to give a report to their Rav - this detail is not mentioned in the Mishna and is the Rebbe's innovation.

The Rebbe explained that this ordinance belongs specifically to our time at the end of exile when hidden powers of people were revealed, therefore there exists a reality where very negative traits are revealed that a person doesn't notice. And the fix for this is "Make for yourself a Rav."

= "Make for Yourself a Rav" Center =
In Shevat 5774, Derech HaMelech magazine published a survey presenting data on how many Chabad Chassidim have a "Make for yourself a Rav" and how frequently they consult with them. A week later, the Chassidim's Unity Organization for Greeting Moshiach launched a program to encourage Chassidim to fulfill this directive, as part of which a telephone center of Mashpiim was established to answer calls and enable consultation, even anonymously.