Weekly Dvar Torah: Faith, Leadership, and the Mission of Our Generation

In the Torah, the Jewish people’s faith in G-d and Moshe is highlighted when they crossed the Yam-Suf, experiencing the miracles that saved them from the Egyptians. This faith wasn’t just in G-d’s power over nature, but in Moshe, His servant, who performed miracles and taught the Torah. Moshe, by his actions and teachings, brought faith in G-d from the miraculous to the mundane, making daily life a testament to divine providence.

Moshe’s role in nurturing faith was critical. His leadership showed that miracles are not just moments of wonder but a reminder of the everyday miracles that sustain life. G-d created the world and continues to sustain it in perfect balance, yet Moshe, as G-d’s messenger, made it clear that every aspect of life, from sustenance to survival, is part of G-d’s ongoing miracle.

The Zohar teaches that in every generation, there is a Moshe. Today, we commemorate 75 years of the Rebbe’s leadership, marking a period during which the Rebbe transformed world Jewry. For 75 years, the Rebbe demonstrated care and dedication, sending Shluchim (emissaries) to every corner of the world, helping Jews in every way—spiritually and materially—and often performing miracles to reignite faith.

Celebrating the 75th year of his leadership, we continue to strengthen our faith in G-d and His humble servant, the Moshe of our generation. This Shabbos, we celebrate the miracles of the past, anticipating the future redemption, and renew our commitment to bring more light into the world.

Chabad’s seventh generation’s mission is rooted in the Rebbe’s 75 years of leadership. After the Holocaust, the Rebbe rebuilt a Jewish community from the devastation. His three guiding principles—love of G-d, love of Torah, and love of our fellow Jew—shaped Chabad’s global outreach.

Through Shluchim, Chabad brought Judaism to new corners of the world, responding to both material and spiritual needs. Some like to compare Chabad’s outreach to that of the Red Cross, providing help where it’s needed most, but Chabad’s mission is far more profound. It’s not just about helping Jews with physical needs, but about reigniting their spiritual connection to G-d.

For seventy-five years, the Rebbe’s disciples have answered this call, showing that the goal is not just survival, but to spread G-d’s light across the world. Sometimes this helps Chabad gain positive recognition, but this is not at all about PR. It’s about fulfilling the divine mission: to reveal G-d in every aspect of life and to bring Jews closer to their Creator.

As the Rebbe inspired, “Do an act of kindness and welcome Moshiach now.” Chabad’s outreach has made it easier than ever to find Jewish services in places as remote as Cambodia or the Amazon. Wherever there is a need, Chabad is there, embodying the Rebbe’s love for G-d and for every Jew.

On the 75th anniversary of the passing of the previous Rebbe, the sixth Rebbe, and the Rebbe’s acceptance of leadership in 1950, we reflect on their legacies. The sixth Rebbe faced unimaginable hardship, standing up to Stalin and Hitler, and preserving Judaism despite oppressive forces. When he arrived in America, where Jews were tempted to assimilate, he established educational institutions to maintain Jewish identity.

The seventh Rebbe, as his successor, built on this foundation. In his inaugural address, he declared that Jews must take responsibility for spreading Torah, not relying on the leader to do everything. Each Jew must participate in this mission to bring G-d into the world. Seventy-five years later, the Rebbe’s teachings have inspired over 6,000 educational centers worldwide, a testament to the Rebbe’s success in reinvigorating Jewish life.

The stories of the sixth and seventh Rebbes exemplify the difference between survival and revival. The sixth Rebbe led his followers under the direst of circumstances—oppression, exile, and destruction. Yet his followers maintained their commitment to Torah, undeterred by the dangers they faced.

The seventh Rebbe, in contrast, led in the free world, where Judaism faced the threat of apathy and assimilation. His leadership brought Judaism back to life in a time when it was on the verge of being forgotten. His mission was clear: bring G-d down to earth by spreading Torah, teaching Jews about their heritage, and ensuring that no Jew is left behind.

The Rebbe’s success is evident today. Young couples, raised in comfortable communities, leave everything behind to spread Judaism in far-flung places. They answer the Rebbe’s call, understanding that the mission to teach a Jew about G-d is the highest calling.

In the Maamar that we learn on Yud Shvat, the Rebbe discussed the concept of Bizbuz Haotzros—the splurging of treasures. This idea is based on the Talmud, which teaches that everything is in the hands of heaven except for the fear of G-d. The fear of G-d is a treasure hidden away in G-d’s chambers, and it is given freely to those who seek it in order to fight the final battle against the forces that oppose G-d.

This fear is not easily attained, especially in a world where G-d’s presence is concealed. But the Rebbe teaches that G-d is releasing this treasure to those who will use it to fight for His cause. In these final days before the coming of Moshiach, we are receiving special doses of this fear—empowering us to fulfill our mission.

The Rebbe’s teachings are more than just words; they are a call to action. We must continue the work he started by spreading Torah, helping others, and bringing more light into the world. As we mark 75 years of the Rebbe’s leadership, let us celebrate the progress we’ve made while rededicating ourselves to the mission at hand: to bring Moshiach, to transform the world, and to live lives that reflect G-d’s presence in everything we do.

Through kindness, prayer, and Torah, we can bring G-d’s light into this world and hasten the coming of Moshiach. The Rebbe’s legacy is one of action—of a world that does not merely survive, but thrives in G-d’s name. Now, let us continue this journey with faith, joy, and unwavering commitment.

Enjoy a Treasure Trove of a G-d fearing Shabbos,
Gut Shabbos

Rabbi Yosef Katzman