Standing on The Strong Foundations of Our Rabbeim
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This Shabbos follows the Chassidishe Yomim Tovim of the Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz. We celebrate the liberation of the Previous Rebbe in 1927 after his arrest for spreading Judaism in Communist Russia. A few months after the release of the Previous Rebbe he left for Latvia then Poland and finally arrived in America. Not only did the Previous Rebbe leave but our Rebbe also left Russia at the same time. Therefore this redemption from Communist Russia was not only for the Previous Rebbe but for the Rebbe as well.
What connection does the entire story of the arrest and liberation have to us today? In a fabrengen for the Yud Beis Tammuz the Rebbe related the story as told originally by the Previous Rebbe. In those rough and difficult times of the early 1920s when they were closing down the Shuls and Yeshivos, the Previous Rebbe fought a warriors' battle, together with a small army of Chassidim to uphold Judaism. In the midst of this battle the Previous Rebbe called a meeting with 9 Chassidim altogether, completing it to a minyon. The Rebbe made a bris, a covenant to uphold Judaism to the last drop of blood with complete self-sacrifice.
In the fabrengen for Yud Beis Tammuz the Rebbe asked why the Previous Rebbe decided to relate this story. Today we live in America, no one is running after us to harm us if we go to Shul or to Yeshiva. What do we gain today by telling a story about their difficulties then and how do we apply it to us today? Certainly the Previous Rebbe didn't tell that story only to relate their greatness at that time, there must be a lesson for us.
The Rebbe explained that self-sacrifice doesn't mean only to give our physical life away for Hashem, that means sacrificing one's body. Self-sacrifice refers to the sacrifice of the soul, the essence and willpower from within us. When we are ready for self-sacrifice it's automatic and it applies to whether it is physical or spiritual. Therefore even in America it also applies. Self-sacrifice means to give our soul our will and our being to Hashem.
This type of self sacrifice was seen clearly by the Previous Rebbe in Russia where he was in physical danger to uphold Judaism. When the Previous Rebbe arrived in America the Rebbe wasn't in physical danger, but there was a clear and apparent spiritual danger. At that time the Previous Rebbe was confined to a wheelchair and limited in speech, nevertheless the Rebbe came out in force with the statement “America is not different!” and went about the business of transforming America. The Rebbe sent young yeshiva students across America to build a day school network. This was considered a revolutionary idea at the time that was considered by many (who openly voiced their opposition) to be destined to failure. Nevertheless the Previous Rebbe continued unabated while defending these young students from criticism for having full beards and wearing their tzitzis so that they are seen on the outside; much to the consternation of many of the Jews in America at that time. The Rebbe persevered upstream and against the currents of the time, proudly without shame against the spiritual emptiness that was America at the time.
This is what the Rebbe and the Chassidim accomplished in the past. Going from now into the future, how can we implement this level of self sacrifice in our daily life in the service of Hashem? The Previous Rebbe broke through and opened a gateway for self sacrifice that we can tap into that gives the power to serve Hashem on the level of self sacrifice. This means never looking backward and not to allow anything to get in the way.
If we were not serving Hashem with self sacrifice until now, is it too late? Do we still have an opportunity to change? In this week’s parsha Bilaam said (23:9):
“For from their beginning, I see them as mountain peaks, and I behold them as hills; it is a nation that will dwell alone, and will not be reckoned among the nations.”
Rashi comments:
“For from its beginning, I see them as mountain peaks: I look at their origins and the beginning of their roots, and I see them established and powerful, like these mountains and hills, because of their patriarchs and matriarchs.” — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 12, Num. Rabbah 20:19]
We don’t have to create anything new. We only need to dust ourselves off and reveal the truth that we are rooted in the patriarchs and matriarchs, including the Rebbeim. By going together with the Rebbe we will be not affected by the world surrounding us. We don’t run away from the world, we are involved but unaffected by the world and unwavering in our self sacrifice to serve Hashem on the strong foundation which each and every one of us has within.
The Rebbe successfully broke through the cold ice of America. This is our example of what self-sacrifice is all about. This is what the Rebbe wants from us. The Rebbe wants that we should not be afraid, rather we should be filled with inspiration and desire that comes from learning Chassidus to go out and change and transform the world with goodness and kindness and bring Moshiach today.
A Good Shabbos