It Always Seems Impossible… Until It’s Done!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This year the edited version of a Lag B’Omer Sicha from 1976 that has never been released was found and printed for the first time. Originally in 1976 only an unedited version was distributed.
The Rebbe gave that year the title: “Shnas HaChinuch, the Year of Education”. In those years there would only be a Lag B’Omer parade if Lag B’Omer fell on a Sunday. If it fell out during the week an event would be made in the park for the schools. That year in honor of Shnas HaChinuch a special parade was arranged on very short notice even though Lag B’Omer fell on a Tuesday.
What was the inspiration to make a weekday parade with only two weeks to prepare? The inspiration came from three fabrengens that the Rebbe had just given; on Thursday night Rosh Chodesh Iyar, on Shabbos Beis Rosh Chodesh and then on Sunday night after Beis Iyar. At those fabrengens the Rebbe explained the concept of inspiring children to be leaders, and the importance of children teaching other children. He explained that it’s the nature of children to have friends, and it’s their nature to like to have something to give their friend that he or she doesn’t have. If one child knows a pasuk in the Torah that the other doesn’t know he can teach it, and that way they can influence and educate each other in a positive way.
This concept is closely connected to Sefira, which is all about education. After the Jewish people left Mitzrayim they began their preparation for Matan Torah by counting Sefiras HaOmer. So too every child begins their preparation for Bar and Bas Mitzvah with the chinuch that they receive. The Rebbe dedicated many of the Sichos in these fabrengens to different aspects of teaching, education and schools.
Also, on Thursday night the Rebbe explained the first 6 of the 12 pasukim. The Rebbe explained the reason for picking these specific pasukim is because these are the essentials for the chinuch of a Jew. The sources of the pasukim were; two from the Torah, two from Chazal and two from the Tanya. After the Thursday night fabrengen the Rebbe gave each person two dollars. On Sunday night the Rebbe encouraged everyone to get the children enthusiastic to learn the 6 pasukim by heart and to give out prizes for it on Lag B’Omer. On Sunday night he gave an additional 3rd dollar to each adult.
The Chassidim realized that the Rebbe wanted something special that year. They decided on their own to make a parade in the middle of the week with only two weeks to prepare! Many groups and schools prepared to attend and on the day of the parade it was pouring rain, potentially turning all their efforts into a disaster. Some schools decided not to go. And then at around 8AM the sun broke through the thick clouds, the parade went ahead and was a great success. Some people even got sunburnt! At the parade the Rebbe spoke again about the importance of young children and education. He explained that children are students of Rebbe Akiva and Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai who strive and need to know more. The Rebbe then reemphasized the importance of Shnas HaChinuch, of summer camps and the importance of inspiring children to teach each other. The Rebbe explained the second 6 with the same order of sources. The pasukim were later printed into pamphlets with explanations. He then gave 3 dimes for each child.
When I think back over the Lag B’Omer of 1976, we didn’t hear anyone say that we couldn’t get this done. Each person threw him or herself into it according to their abilities and together we accomplished. It had to be done. Ay, it was too late, and it was a wild idea to make a parade in the middle of the week with all the complications. Nevertheless, it was decided upon and Chassidim successfully broke through all the obstacles and got it done. So too, today we have something that we know is very important to Klal Yisroel and the world that the Rebbe told us needs to get done. It’s the inyan of Geula and Moshiach; this is our shlichus, and it’s a shlichus for each and every one of us. It’s up to us. Yes there are many obstacles and it may seem a bit wild, nevertheless we can and we must do it.
On Lag B’Omer, as the Rebbe explained the pasukim, he said that one might say that he looked inside himself and tried but couldn’t find the power to accomplish. The Rebbe answered this by quoting from the verse; yagati. If you will work you are guaranteed results. If you don’t see results it means that you haven’t yet tried enough.
Just like on Pesach Sheni we remind ourselves to never give up saying “lama nigara- why should we miss out” so too with us, lama nigara, we have a shlichus, We Want Moshiach Now!