Completing the Mission
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
As we approach the twentieth Gimmel Tammuz we see different approaches to the day. While everyone is focused on the geula, some are more somber while others are reflecting and others are just focused on the future. It’s difficult for many, 20 years is a long time…
In 5752 the Rebbe declared in a Sicha that each and every one of us is an Admor. What does it mean to be an Admor? Do we all need to go out and get a streimel and a silver cane? By telling us that each and every one of us is an Admor the Rebbe empowered us. Just as Moshe Rabbenu empowered the Jewish people at the end of the 40 years of wandering in the desert when he said; Today you have been given a heart to know and eyes to see etc., so too the Rebbe has empowered each one of us.
Yet there are many who say that we do not have the power to accomplish like before when we don’t see the Rebbe. It looks physically impossible. When R. Yochnon ben Zakai saw the impending churbon and was given one request he asked for Yavne and the Chachamim. Why didn’t he ask for Yerushalayim? It’s nice to have a yeshiva but what about the Jewish people? Some answer that he was looking to preserve the spirit of Judiasm for the future generations. The Rebbe explained that R. Yochnon ben Zakai was trying to prevent the churbon with the zechus of limud haTorah for the sake of the entire Jewish people. We see that the Rebbe as well directed the children to learn another pasuk, another mishna and to do another good deed before the Six Day War for the protection of the people and the land of Israel (He also introduced Mivtza Tefillin). It helps because we are all one big body and every small act changes the world, protects and brings Moshiach. This message of emunah bitachon and empowerment we see on every page of the Rebbe’s Letters Sichos and Maamarim.
Yes it’s bitter and yes it hurts as we approach the twentieth Gimmel Tammuz. We still feel the effects of the bitter galus the tears and the global crises. Yet with all of that we are strong in our emunah and bitachon that we will prevail. That with us is the power to change the tide. The Rebbe gave and gives each one of us us the power to teach and to lead, each in his or her own way.
After so many years, we in Lubavitch have a great opportunity to realize the Rebbe’s brochos by making ourselves a fitting vessel for those brachos, as it says; Barcheinu Avinu kulanu k’echod. By rising above personal interest or struggle, above any political or idealistic separation, together as one big community we can go forward in an even greater way than we have until now. By become a fitting vessel; we have a historic opportunity to receive the brochos the Rebbe gave us that are waiting to be realized.
To do this we need to connect. We need to dwell on the positive. The children need to go to camp and to school and off to shlichus. Yes there is a lot to accomplish because our mission is not complete until the revelation of Moshiach. We connect by realizing that the Rebbe is speaking to me as an individual. By learning the Rebbe’s Sichos Maamarim and Letters this way lets the power of pure emunah prevail.
By attaching ourselves to the Rebbe this twentieth year in an even greater way than until now in every area until the level that each one of us is and Admor to accomplish each according to his or her abilities, together we will bring and reveal the return of the Shechina to Tzion together with all of the Rabbeim and Tzaddikim from all the generations with the Rebbe at the front, immediately Now!
Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh