Our Strength comes from our Home
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
As a continuation from last week’s article about Hei Teves, we will continue with the main focus of the day: Yaakov lo meis Yaakov did not pass away. The Gemara in Taanis questions this statement and asks Yaakov lo meis? How can it be said that Yaakov did not pass away, after all the Torah clearly states that he was embalmed and placed in a coffin etc. The Gemara then provides the answer: Mah zaro b’chayim, af hu b’chaim, Yaakov lives on through his children. This is what is special and unique about Yaakov compared to the other forefathers. Avraham had Yitzchok but also Yishmael. Yitzchak had Yaakov but also Eisav. All of Yaakov’s children went in his pathways becoming the 12 Shevatim comprising the Jewish people. This is why Yaakov is alive. Because his children live in his ways, therefore he too is alive.
The Rebbe explains that every single Jew is zaro b’chaim, he or she desires to fulfill the will of Hashem whether or not he or she is aware. If something is wrong it’s coming from the yetzer hara only, not the person. Our vocation is to reveal this desire and connection and bring it out into the open and not be satisfied with it remaining hidden.
We clearly see from the story of Hei Teves that some thought otherwise. They had already gone through the Yud Shevat of 5710 and on the physical level in their minds the Rebbe was gone. Based on this perspective they allowed themselves take possession of his sefarim. The Rebbe’s response was resounding; Hu b’chaim, He is alive! Through his children, through his Chassidim, he is not just alive; he is more alive and more active and more effective in the physical world than ever before! Therefore his sefarim, which are part of his life, because his life is in his sefarim, belong to him and must be returned.
Today after the Gimmel Tammuz of 5754 we see the importance and application to us and to our daily lives. In the Sichos leading up to Hei Teves the Rebbe emphasized this theme of Yaakov lo meis and Mah zaro b’chayim, af hu b’chaim applying it to the Previous Rebbe repeatedly. Every Chosid is a part of the Rebbe and his activities in the world; he is connected, the Rebbe is within him. Today’s expansion of Mosdos and Shluchim all over the world is a testament to this, more today than ever before.
While Yosef HaTzaddik was in Mitzrayim he raised and educated his two sons Menashe and Efraim. He raised them in his palace right in the heart of Mitzrayim as he managed the world’s greatest superpower of the time. Notwithstanding the challenges he saw to it that his children were educated in Yaakov’s home, a home permeated with the atmosphere, values and Torah of Yaakov Avinu. The lesson to us from Yosef’s example is clear. Every one of us, all Yaakov’s children have an opportunity to educate ourselves and our children and all whom we come in contact with Mah zaro b’chayim, af hu b’chaim. When we feel act and live in a way that our home is the Rebbe’s home, we would not be ashamed with what the Rebbe would find there because what he would find in our homes would make him comfortable and proud. When Yaakov came to Yosef’s home in Mitzrayim he felt at home and gave his bracha to Yosef’s two children Menashe and Efraim that they will be just like his own children.
This is true for us as well today. The Rebbe is with us now more than ever and we are his children: Mah zaro b’chayim, af hu b’chaim!
A Good Shabbos