The Rebbe: Difference between revisions

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (in [[Yiddish]]: Schneersohn; known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe and in Chabad simply as the Rebbe) was born on 11 Nissan 5662 (1902<ref>The Rebbe's birthday became known to the chassidim for the first time during his visit to Paris, when on 11 Nissan his mother Rebbetzin Chana approached a group of chassidim, among them Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov, and suggested that they ask the Rebbe to hold a farbrengen in honor of his birthday - and indeed the Rebbe agreed and held a farbrengen (Yemei Melech part 3, p. 997)</ref>). He is a spiritual leader whose influence encompassed the entire world and particularly the Jewish people. . Among his notable activities were the establishment of the Shlichus (emissary) enterprise and the Ten Mitzvah Campaigns he initiated, aiming to bring Judaism to every single Jew. His actions, words, and influence emphasized the anticipation of Moshiach and activities to hasten the Redemption.

== The Rebbe and Moshiach ==

The Rebbe imparted to his Shluchim and to each person with whom he came in contact, a spirit of freedom that would enable them to dedicate their lives to the care of others.

 

This freedom is expressed through total immersion in the wellbeing of his or her particular sphere of influence: family, neighborhood, and so forth. For the individual ''Shliach'', this freedom is, for the most part, expressed through concern for a particular country, state, city, institution, or program.

 

However, the Rebbe’s ultimate concern was the entire world – the entirety of the Jewish people and all of humankind.

 

Only a great soul, free of personal constraints, can truly care about the ultimate fulfillment of creation, the destiny of the world, and global wellbeing.

 

 

 

The Rebbe yearned for Moshiach not only because it would bring an end to the world’s pain and suffering, but moreover, because the era of Moshiach is the ultimate destiny of the world and the purpose for which it was created.

 

As one who was able to see things from a broader and higher perspective, the Rebbe saw all of Jewish history– from our sojourn in the desert through the saga of our exiles up until the present day – as a continuous path leading inexorably toward the ultimate goal of Creation.

 

So, too, the Rebbe saw every positive action of each individual as a redemptive act in its own right, and a step on the road to global Redemption. For each ''mitzvah'' and each word of Torah contains G‑d’s infinite energy – wherein lies the secret of another advancement toward the ultimate goal of perfecting this world as a place where Hashem “feels at home.”

 

On Monday afternoon Chof Zayin Adar, 5752, March 2, 1992, while praying at the gravesite of his father-in-law and predecessor, the Rebbe suffered a stroke that paralyzed his right side and, most devastatingly, robbed him of the ability to speak.

 

Two years later on the same Jewish date, He suffered another stroke and was admitted to Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan.

 

Three months later, the Rebbe passed away in the early morning hours of the 3rd of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, in the year 5754 from creation (June, 12 1994), orphaning a generation.

 

Even now, more than a decade after his passing on the third of Tamuz, 5754 (June 12, 1994), hundreds of young couples, stirred by his vision and passion, feel privileged to uproot themselves from home and hearth to take up permanent posts as the Rebbe’s emissaries – far from family, community, spiritual roots, comfort and amenities.

 

In greater numbers than ever, Jews everywhere continue to be inspired by the Rebbe’s teachings and guidance.

 

An endless stream of people – Chasidim and non-Chasidim, men and women, boys and girls, people from all walks of life – flock to his resting place from all corners of the world.

 

Some come seeking a blessing, others arrive asking for intercession on High on their behalf, still others visit to share a joyous occasion – the birth of a child, a Bar Mitzvah, a wedding.

 

 

The following is an attempt to express personal appreciation of the Rebbe by exploring some of the manner in which he expressed himself in his discourses, correspondence, personal conduct, and ''modus operandi.''

 

This essay does not and cannot adequately render the Rebbe’s personality and conduct. Nor is it capable of touching upon the Rebbe’s immense scholarship. It is instead a humble endeavor to capture some sense of what the Rebbe means to so many – and his uniqueness and contribution to world Jewry. It is an effort to record and share a little bit of the Rebbe’s consuming passion in the service of G‑d, his love, his study of Torah, and his vision of a world perfected.