Tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Copyright Rabbi Eli Hecht
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On Friday, April 6, corresponding to the 11th day of Nisan, thousands of Lubavitcher Chassidim from all over the world gathered at their local centers and at the main headquarters in New York City. They paid respect to one of the most eminent and illustrious leaders of our generation, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe Shlita.

In every generation we seek leaders. We look for a Moshe Rabbeinu, an Aaron HaCohen, a Rebbe, a leader for Israel. As there is only one Moshe per generation, the current Lubavitcher Rebbe may very well be him. The Rebbe is without question the most influential leader. He is the first Chassidic leader who utilizes the gifts of a tolerant society and he may very well qualify as the leader of our generation.

The Rebbe believes that before the coming of the righteous Moshiach, may it come speedily in our time, there will be a revival of religious interest. Therefore, the responsibility of the rabbinate is to insure that opportunities are given for all people in coming closer to the Amighty. This, the Rebbe has demonstrated countless times and has, basically, pleaded with leaders all over the world to teach nonJews the seven mitzvahs (moral obligations) of Noah, known as the Noahide Laws. "When society becomes more aware of these divine commandments, governments reach a higher standard of morality and have a deeper understanding of social responsibility," says the Rebbe. Senators and congressmen visit the Rebbe on a regular basis.

In the Holy Land of Israel there are hundreds of thousands of Jewish people who are helped by the emissaries of this great leader. In every little town, from Lebanon, down to the Negev, to the seashore of Eilat, there are Chabad teachers. These teachers and rabbis are busy bringing Judaism back to those who have never had the opportunity to learn about Yiddishkeit.

Israeli leaders, when visiting the United States, meet with the Rebbe. It is said that the late President Shazar would usually make two stops. First to the Rebbe and then to the President. Mayors and rabbis come to visit the Rebbe. Both Israeli Chief Rabbis of Israel have a deep admiration for the Rebbe as shown by their visits to him. Prime Ministers and generals (Arik Sharon, for example) keep in touch and follow his advice. Recently, military leadership of the Israeli Defense Forces have spoken to the Rebbe about their feelings in dealing with intifada and politics.

The Rebbe's primary goal is that no Jew should be left to the side and discounted due to lack of religious practice. All Jews are part of the nation. all individual Jews are responsible for one another. This has been the theme of the Lubavitcher movement under this great teacher.

The Rebbe has also taken a tremendous interest in the affairs of government. Mayors and elected officials of the city of New York come to the court of the Rebbe to receive his inspiration and blessings. The Rebbe does not discriminate. Whether it be the former Mayor Koch, who is Jewish, or the newly elected black Mayor David Dinkins, the Rebbe has time for each of them and expresses his blessings and hope that they will help uplift the plight of the citizens, wherever they may be.

In our world we usually have two kinds of rabbis. One is the religious leader, known as the Rosh, a dean of a Talmudic seminary, a very erudite, sagacious scholar who has deep comprehension of the intricacies of Torah and is, truly, a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. A true Rosh Hayeshiva does not deal with the political arena, nor is he fond of expressing views outside the confines of the yeshiva (seminary world).

Then there is the rabbi who is the very opposite. His whole existence is leadership for a pluralistic society. He is well-known for his views. He is the leader who excites the imagination. He influences government officials in making decisions. But he does not dwell in the great Talmudic halls. He is known only for leadership in the nation. Where do we find the combination of the great Talmudic genius scholar and dynamic world leader? It can be found in the Rebbe.

For many years now, the Rebbe has spoken and written extensively. His inspirational lectures are full of deep insights and instruction. Most remarkable is the personal attention that the Rebbe gives to individuals. He spends countless hours every Sunday meeting and greeting every Jew who comes to see him. The Rebbe shares with them a thought, a blessing, and presents them with a dollar bill, asking them to follow his example in sharing and caring.

In the time of Moshe Rabbeinu there were Aaron HaCohen, the leaders of the twelve tribes and the seventy elders. Each leader had his own specific task. Some taught Torah law. Others taught social order. There was almost no one who did both. That is, except for Moshe Rabbeinu.

Let me illustrate my point with the following story. Once, in a little country, an edict was issued by the king in which he granted permission to build houses of worship. Jewish people were extremely enthusiastic. Being excited about this event, they hired the best architect and gave the greatest amounts of money possible to insure a successful and most beautiful synagogue for their city.

As the synagogue was built, the peoples enthusiasm grew. They were so excited to see how, day by day, brick by brick, their beautiful synagogue reached higher and higher. When the final day of the completion came, a most unfortunate incident took place. A priest said that the Jewish people had mocked his religion by building a synagogue higher than the church of the city.

"How was it possible?" he said, "that a synagogue can be built higher than a church? Is it not to show that by going higher they are discounting our religion and putting it down?"

So, they petitioned the mayor of the city to close the synagogue and to take away this great freedom that the Jewish people had acquired. The mayor, knowing that the king would be angry, decided to make peace by sending a delegation to the king. This priest, himself, went to see the king and said, "Alm-ghty King, we recognize your benevolence. We are sure that your intentions have always been good for the people. Why is it that the Jewish people have built a temple that rises higher than our own church? Is it not being an insult to us if we allow this to remain standing?"

The king was truly a lover of the Jewish people and of all mankind. He became very thoughtful. After a while he said, "from the width until the breadth, I am the king and I control what takes place. But, from the very bottom upwards to the heavens, that direction, the Alm-ghty G‑d, himself, is the king. So, if you ask me what can be done in the kingdom from the width to the breadth, then the answer is that I, the king, am the ruler and I'll tell you. However, when it comes to things that are higher than my kingdom, upwards, then we must obey the Alm-ghty who created heaven and earth. Let the Jews have their temple. If you wish, then raise your church to a higher dimension."

My friends, this is an example of the Rebbe today.

When we have questions regarding national issues, social order, politics and Halacha (Jewish law), ranging from the width to the breadth, we turn to our rabbis, Rosh Hayeshivas, and spiritual leaders. Yes, they can tell us the boundaries from one end to the other; from the width and the breadth. But, when it comes to something higher, there are limits. Upwards toward the heavens, above our understanding, we must go to a leader who is higher than all leaders, the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Praiseworthy is our generation that we are living under the leadership of such a great tzadik (saint). We are witnessing a phenomena with someone who lives with and above many of our leaders, who inspires and draws us to greater heights.