Editing The Eternal Life of the Rebbe (section)

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

Over the years, the Rebbe increasingly raised expectations for redemption, while simultaneously announcing the completion of preparatory work and the beginning of redemption's fulfillment. In 5751, the Rebbe declared it was the year melech hamoshiach would be revealed and that the leader of our generation is the Messiah of our generation who had already been revealed with full strength. In 5752, he stated that the leader of our generation, the Messiah, received the mission from God to redeem the Jewish people. The Rebbe emphasized his words were prophetic, irreversible and must materialize in the physical world.
[[File:פס"ד אסור לכתוב זי"ע.jpg|thumb|"With Heaven's Help, on the night following Shavuot 5755 (1995), at a reception held by the Beis Din Tzedek (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights for visiting rabbis who came to our holy courtyard for Shavuot 5755, it was decided that on the title page of Likkutei Sichos and similar publications, one should not write the abbreviations "zatzokalalalah nabgam zy'a" [abbreviations typically used for deceased rabbis], and similarly in any publication of the teachings of His Honorable Holiness, Our Teacher and Rabbi, King Messiah. Signed: Rabbi Yitzchak HaCohen Hendel, Rabbi Yehuda Kalman Marlow, Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi, Rabbi Yosef Hecht, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gurary, Rabbi Yeshaya Hertzel, Rabbi Hertzel Cohen, Rabbi Yisrael Yosef HaCohen Hendel."]]
After the health event on the 27th of Adar 5752, belief in the Rebbe's prophecy among Chassidim did not weaken but grew stronger. This was aided by the Rebbe's increased encouragement during that period of singing "Long live our master, teacher and rabbi, melech hamoshiach forever" almost every time he appeared before the crowd. Despite the pain and reciting Psalms for the Rebbe's healing, everyone believed this was temporary and would soon end - with the Rebbe's recovery happening alongside his complete revelation as our righteous Messiah. Some found support in sources describing the Messiah's sufferings.

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.

==== After the 3rd of Tammuz ====
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.

When outside Chabad there were those who eulogized Chassidism along with the Rebbe and expected dissolution or severe crisis, or alternatively when calls were heard to appoint a successor to the Rebbe - all Chassidim rejected this with complete dismissal. The widespread belief wall-to-wall was (and still is) that the Rebbe continues leading Chassidism even if we don't see him; not just spiritual leadership like other righteous ones in the world of truth, but physical leadership as before.

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.
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