Weekly Dvar Torah: The Heroism of the Rebbe’s Shluchim
After posting on my Facebook page a request to pray for Rabbi Tzvi Kogan in Dubai, who tragically fell victim to terror, I received a striking comment questioning whether the Rebbe would have sent Shluchim to such a perilous location. The commenter drew a parallel to sending emissaries to Berlin during Nazi rule.
To which I responded: “I can’t say what the Rebbe would have done in this situation, but I know this much: many Jews travel to Dubai—for vacations, for monumental business deals, for countless personal reasons. They go without hesitation, guided by their own calculations. In the same way, the Chabad Shluchim in Dubai made their own brave choice to be there. No one sent them; they decided, with pure hearts and unwavering commitment, to serve a greater purpose. Their mission was clear: to make life a little brighter, a little easier both spiritually and materially—for the Jews who pass through or live in that place.
“These are good people, the kind who put themselves second to the needs of others, who sacrifice their comfort and safety for the well-being of their fellow Jews. And yet, we are reminded all too often of the cruel truth: the world’s evil can strike even the best among us. It is a tragedy that cuts deep. But as Jews, we’ve always known this bitter reality.
“After the events of the past year in Israel, who among us would ever suggest that Jews should leave their homeland? Despite the unthinkable terror and loss, we stand firm. And yet, in the upside-down moral compass of this world, the victims are ignored, while the rights of the perpetrators are championed. Arrest warrants are issued not for those who harm, but for those who defend their people and their land. It is a painful reminder that, whether in Dubai, on a college campus in Harvard or Columbia, or anywhere in the world, we Jews will always stand alone.
“But stand we will. Our mission is timeless and unyielding: to spread light. To shine brighter against the darkness, no matter how oppressive it feels. The task is daunting, the challenges immense, but we know this to be true—light will always prevail, and the darkness will disappear. And through our unity, our unwavering commitment to one another, and our faith in the ultimate good, we will bring the redemption this world so desperately needs.”
The loss of Rabbi Kogan is devastating, and the pain is compounded by its timing—a week before the Kinnus Hashluchim, an event meant to honor the courage and dedication of emissaries like him. It also recalls the tragic murders of Rabbi and Mrs. Holzberg in Mumbai, who happened to be an uncle and aunt of Rabbi Kogan, who were attacked during the same week in 2008.
Such tragedies force us to confront the silence of G-d’s greater plan, as Moshe Rabbeinu did when he witnessed Rabbi Akiva’s martyrdom. G-d’s response—“Be silent; this intention arose before Me”—humbles us to acknowledge the limits of our understanding. In the face of incomprehensible suffering, we stand silent, awed by the Shluchim who continue their holy work with self-sacrifice.
Among the countless inspiring stories of Shluchim, one stands out to me. Dovi, a young emissary in Chengdu, China, displayed unwavering dedication during the 2020 pandemic. Forced to leave China, he found temporary refuge in Crown Heights, a dream destination for any Lubavitcher during the High Holidays. Yet, Dovi chose to forgo comfort and familiarity, seeking instead an opportunity to serve Jews in a distant city in the USA.
This selfless act, born of a deep sense of mission, encapsulates the essence of a Shliach. Dovi’s story, like so many others, reaffirms that the Rebbe’s vision lives on, empowering a new generation to spread light across the globe.
Two years ago at the Kinnus Hashluchim, I met a Shliach from Ukraine who stayed behind amidst war, rescuing hundreds of Jews and bringing them to safety. When I expressed my admiration for his bravery, he humbly compared himself to a ship’s captain, responsible for the safety of all passengers, who is always last to jump ship. Such humility pervades the Kinnus, where 6,500 emissaries from over 100 countries gather, each seeing themselves not as heroes, but as equals in their shared mission.
One Shliach confided a poignant dilemma: Should he pray for peace in Ukraine, allowing him to continue his Shlichus there, or for Moshiach, which would bring relief to all Jews but end his post? This tension between local responsibility and global redemption defines the life of a Shliach, as they tirelessly balance immediate needs with the ultimate goal.
Perhaps the most heart-stirring moment of the Kinnus last year, was hearing from nine-year-old Avreimi Pizem of Sderot, a city which was from the first to be invaded by the Hamas terrorists on October 7th, and who since he was born lives under the constant threat of rocket fire. His message: “In my 12 seconds to find shelter, I think of the Rebbe and how to bring a smile to another Jew.” This unshakable faith, even amidst danger, exemplifies the resilience and positivity that define Chabad’s mission.
When the Jewish community in Pudong, China, dissolved due to the pandemic, Rabbi Avraham Greenberg and his family of eleven seamlessly transitioned to a new post in Phuket, Thailand. They didn’t pause to seek comfort or stability but embraced their calling to serve wherever they were needed. This adaptability and commitment echo the Rebbe’s teachings: every Shliach is a lamplighter, spreading divine light to dispel darkness.
The stories of the late Rabbi Kogan O.B.M, and for a happy long life, Dovi, Avreimi, and the Greenbergs are testaments to the unparalleled dedication of Chabad Shluchim. Their work is not only a fulfillment of the Rebbe’s vision but a beacon of hope for all of us. Through their efforts, the world is brought closer to the ultimate redemption.
As we marvel at their courage, let us remember our shared responsibility to support their mission and carry forward their light. The time is now—may we merit to see the world illuminated with the light of Moshiach, speedily in our days. Amen.
Our blessings to the Shluchim in the words of this week’s Parsha: וְיִתֶּן לְךָ הָאֱלֹהִים מִטַּל הַשָּׁמַיִם וּמִשְׁמַנֵּי הָאָרֶץ וְרֹב דָּגָן וְתִירֹשׁ. May G-d give you of the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth, abundance of new grain and wine. In Rashi’s interpretation: יִתֵּן וְיַחֲזֹר וְיִתֵּן May he give you and give you repeatedly.
Have a Shluchim loving week,
Gut Shabbos, Gut Yomtov
Rabbi Yosef Katzman
