JEM: In 1982, the Rebbe Spoke About Unity in Israel Today

“Pray for the welfare of Jerusalem; may those who love you enjoy tranquility.”

With the approach of the 121st birthday of the Rebbe, JEM has released a discourse by the Rebbe on 20 Cheshvan 5742 (1982), the 121st birthday of the fifth Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber of Lubavitch. 

Despite the fact that Rabbi Sholom Dovber had passed away many years prior, the Rebbe explained, his age continued to advance. Hence, his new chapter of Psalms would be 122.

In a talk that seems as though it was delivered today, the chapter of Psalms, as well as the Rebbe’s address, focus on peace amongst Jews, and how foremost priority must be placed on this ideal. As it so “happens,” Psalm 122 is the new chapter that will be read daily by tens of thousands across the world, beginning from this coming Sunday, the eleventh of Nissan, which marks the Rebbe’s own 121st birthday. 

Remarking on how prescient the Rebbe’s words are, Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin, Executive Director of JEM, noted: “It is deeply meaningful to experience how the Rebbe’s words speak, directly across the decades, to the here and now.

“Today’s state of affairs that is of deepest concern to millions of Jews the world over, and the Rebbe speaks urgently to the core issue that must be addressed, Jewish unity.”

What’s more, the Rebbe explains in the talk, the peace and harmony must originate from Jerusalem. 

Focusing on the Talmud, which quotes G-d’s own statement, “I shall not enter Jerusalem above, until I enter Jerusalem on earth, below,” the Rebbe emphasizes how peace amongst Jews must be a foremost priority — in fact, a launching point for all other Jewish observances.

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“It is our deepest hope and prayer that it have the effect that the Rebbe, and all of us, so deeply yearn for,” concluded Rabbi Shmotkin.

The talk is available in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

Full unedited version of the address is available at https://videos.jem.tv/video-player?clip=8143