Gimmel Tammuz

Sholom Aleichem. Last week a dear friend was visiting New York from Florida with his son. He called me to ask how he could get to the resting place of the Rebbe in Queens. Since I was not in town at the time, I happily arranged with my friend Zalman to escort him to and his son to “Ohel”, which is the name used to describe the Rebbe’s resting place, and then on to the airport for his flight home.

Zalman called me afterwards to share with me some of the conversation he enjoyed with my visiting friend. “He asked me why does Rabbi Yossy always speak about the Rebbe so much? Aren’t there so many other great scholars and leaders in Israel? I explained to him that the Rebbe was much more than a scholar and leader. A Rebbe is a comprehensive soul that includes within it every other soul and can relate to each and every Jew in a most personal manner.”

I was glad Zalman explained things so beautifully. Both of my friends are absolutely right. I do indeed focus on the Rebbe and indeed the reason is because of the Rebbe’s role in my life. Let me explain with a short story and the Rebbe’s explanation:

At a gathering shortly before his passing, the Previous Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneersohn, also known as the Rebbe Rashab (1860-1920), turned to his only son and soon to be successor and said “I am going to Heaven, and my writings I leave for you.”

Question: Isn’t it obvious that when one passes away they go to Heaven and their writings remain in this earthly realm? What was the Rebbe Rashab’s intention?

This can be understood by understanding the role of the Rebbe. If we look at the first Jewish leader, Moshe, we see before he left this world he asked the Almighty to appoint a new leader. Simply put, he could not leave his people bereft of leadership. This indicates that the mark of true Jewish leadership is to always care about the flock and reassure them that he will always be there to intercede on their behalf.

This is the meaning of the words of the Rebbe Rashab to his son prior to his passing, “I am going to Heaven and my writings I leave for you.” The Rashab’s writings, the Torah that he taught, were where he had invested his essence. By reminding his son that he was leaving him his writings, he was reminding him that we wasn’t really leaving because he was still to be found in his writings. On the contrary, his ascent on High with his passing represented an opportunity for him to achieve even more on behalf of his flock as he would no longer be encumbered by this physical world.

Concludes the Rebbe: This indicates that when a Rebbe passes away one should not lose their spirit. Undoubtedly, the Rebbe’s effectiveness and ability to fulfill his role are better than ever.

Friends, next Thursday will be Gimmel Tammuz, marking fifteen years since the passing of the Rebbe in 1994. As I pray to be reunited with the Rebbe with the immediate Redemption with the coming of Moshiach, I am heartened by my friend’s question. Indeed, I am proudly into the Rebbe in a huge way. Though I miss his physical presence sorely, I am secure and confident in his leadership and intercendence with the Almighty on behalf of all of Israel.

One more personal reflection: When I think about the Rebbe and the connection I enjoy with him and the connection I am inspired by him to have with the Almighty, I become happier. In a simple way, I think it is because I feel secure. May all who need in matters of health, livelihood, children or whatever else be helped in merit of the Rebbe who is certainly “on the job.” Feel the joy!

To understand more about the Rebbe, I encourage you to visit www.theRebbe.org.

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Chag Sameach! Shabbat Shalom!! L“Chaim!!! Chazak!!!!

This Torah Thought is dedicated in loving memory of Schabse Noach ben Moshe z”l and in honor of the immediate complete restoration to robust good health of Ruchama Aliza Sara Chana bas Esther Lieba (www.babyaliza.com) amongst “sha’ar choilei Yisroel!”