Seeing is Believing: The Remarkable Jewish Educational Media

So long as I am in New York City, I enjoy frequenting an informal eatery in the Chassidic neighborhood of Williamsburg. Usually, I meet an array of customers who like myself have patronized the establishment and meet there every Thursday night to enjoy heated cholent, pastrami, and conversation.

I enjoy exchanging Chassidic insights and traditions with the group who represent a number of Chassidic sects. Consistently, after having debated ideas and swapping scholarship, the dialogue becomes focused on the life, teachings, and example of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Judaism’s beloved religious leader.

The young Chassidim of Satmar, Vishnitz, or Bobov that I passionately converse with are curious about the man who was a leader of men. They wish to learn from the teacher who was so called by eminent Torah giants. They are eager to make contact with the endless love for the Jewish people that was displayed and embodied in the person of the great Rebbe.

Most have heard the tales, or studied his wisdom. Many even met him. However, hearing or recalling can hardly compare to seeing and experiencing. Aside from suggesting the Rebbe’s voluminous books, I advise my intrigued brethren to watch the Torah come alive. Instead of just hearing about a stranger’s audience with the Rebbe, I recommend that they themselves join the encounter. Then, while the moment is right, I produce my laptop. Within moments, a dozen Chassidic Jews in a Brooklyn cholent joint are viewing footage of the most recorded leader in Jewish history.

There is hardly a more stirring sight than observing the Rebbe during an emotional moment. Seeing him encourage throngs of adherents to song and celebration is electrifying, and watching his elucidation of Torah matters, mind blowing. Lubavitch has done a remarkable job in preserving priceless footage of decades of the Rebbe’s leadership, thereby helping preserve the relationships of nostalgic admirers. They have rendered his wise council and erudition accessible to countless more.

Among the many departments that occupy the buzzing red brick Lubavitch World Headquarters is a gem of an organization called JEM, or Jewish Educational Media. Each week, JEM distributes video magazines titled “Living Torah,” featuring clips of the Rebbe’s dissertations and timeless advice. These are enjoyed by over 200,000 viewers on six continents. Two weeks ago I viewed Living Torah in a small Israeli village at their weekly viewing of the program. Upon the conclusion of the coming Shabbos, I will join several dozen congregants at a synagogue in California for their weekly screening of Living Torah. At over 500 public viewings around the world, thousands more will do the same.

Imagine if Moses’ communications to the Children of Israel had been recorded not only in the eternal Torah, but on DVD. What if the remarkable life of Maimonides could be studied on film? If the tales and miracles of the Baal Shem Tov were captured on video, imagine how much more meaningful and helpful they would be. In distributing visuals of the man who was our generation’s greatest visionary, the men and women of JEM significantly affect Jewish history and living.

Seeing is believing, and watching Living Torah is watching the unbelievable. The Rabbis teach us that our eyes should behold our masters. Today, because of JEM, one of the most defining Chassidic masters to have ever lived is observable in high definition.