By the Grace of G-d
Dear Friend
Twenty-five years after his physical passing, yet every day he becomes even more alive here in this world!
These were the impassioned words that my Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn said about his predecessor and father in law.
The simple explanation of this. The life of a Tzadik, a saintly person who is egoless and transparently connected to G-d, was never about their physical bodies even during their sojourn here on earth. Their lofty soul was what made them special. That soul lives on, even once it leaves the body. Actually, souls become freed and unfettered once they leave the body.
We all have souls. And indeed, all of our souls live on. But for average people, the central occupation of their life are the materialistic matters of life. For the Tzadik, the only interest they ever had, even while here on earth, was faith, love and fear of G-d. That doesn’t stop upon passing. It gets stronger.
I understood all that. (Click here for more on the topic). But that is all in the spiritual realms. I wasn’t sure I understood what the Rebbe meant by saying that the Tzadik becomes ‘even more alive here in this world’ even twenty-five years after his passing.
A few days ago a groundbreaking speech was given at the U.N. by Rabbi Goldstein, during a special session on anti-Semitism, calling upon 1 billion global acts of goodness and kindness and a return to the foundational mission given to mankind.
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, was seriously injured in an anti-Semitic attack on his synagogue in Poway, Calif. on the last day of Pesach. He has since then traveled the world sharing his passionate and convincing message of enhancing our commitment to common respect and universal morality.. (Watch or read about the speech here.)
When I heard about this speech, I was flooded with memories of my late maternal grandfather Rabbi Abraham Hecht. I remembered that my grandfather was supposed to give that speech in the UN. Thirty something years ago.
In October of 1987, the Rebbe had requested that a talk of this nature – encouraging all nations of the world to commit to the basic tenets of universal morality as transmitted at Sinai in the form of the ‘Seven Noahide laws’ be given in the UN.
The Rebbe then told my grandfather, a dedicated student and chassid of the Rebbe, that as a prominent Rabbi in one of the largest congregations in America, he would like him to deliver that address in the UN.
My grandfather tried very hard to carry out the Rebbe’s mission but seemingly did not meet with success.
Twenty-five years ago the Rebbe left this physical world.
It would have seemed that his request for one of his students to address the UN was not to be.
This week it came to fruition.
Here in this physical world. At a UN session attended by representatives of the entire world. In front of cameras for the entire world to see.
For me it was a deeper understanding of how a Tzadik continues to live here in this world even after his passing.
His effect, the results of his teachings and inspiration continues to be felt, and his reach even expands with every day that goes by.
Jewish leaders are referred to as shepherds. The Talmud teaches that Moshe was a shepherd. Even after their passing they continue from on high to shepherd and tend lovingly to their flock. Person by person, big and small, young and old.
On a practical note for you and me.
In the 1970s, Mr. Frank Lautenberg was the national president of the UJA and came to meet the Rebbe. After a long night of discussing communal matters, the Rebbe steered the conversation toward the personal, encouraging Mr. Lautenberg to introduce more Jewish practice in his life, saying, “[if] you will look in the mirror tomorrow morning, and you will see the same Lautenberg from yesterday – that means that I have achieved nothing.”
“You have achieved plenty, plenty!” exclaimed Mr. Lautenberg.
“That all depends on you,” the Rebbe responded.
Click here to hear it in the Rebbe’s own word.
The Rebbe loved every person unconditionally for who he was and where he was at. At the same time, though, he saw the infinite potential of what each of us could be and precisely because of that encouraged--and lovingly demanded--that we reach higher.
The Rebbe’s empowering message: Wake up tomorrow morning and see a new view of yourself. Yesterday was good, but tomorrow can be even better.
Let’s take the Rebbe’s message to heart. Let's do another mitzvah and make sure that today is different from yesterday and that tomorrow is even better.
And may all this speed up the coming of Mashiach. May he come NOW!!!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Yosef Kantor
PS Please join Nechama and I, on Monday evening at the Tribute event honoring the life and legacy of our dear Rebbe who entrusted us with the mission of bringing more light and Jewish life to Thailand.
Details below.