Yud Shevat: Honoring A Legacy; Lighting The World

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This day marks two seminal events in modern Jewish history:

• The passing of the great Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak Schneerson (ZY"A), in 1950.
• The ascension of his illustrious son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (ZY"A), to the role of Rebbe on the Tenth of Shevat in 1951.

Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak was an icon of Jewish strength in the face of unimaginable odds—a story that has not been adequately shared with contemporary Jews.

 Beginning in the 1920s, Russian Jewry faced vicious, diabolical attacks from Stalin and his regime, which deliberately sought to obliterate all forms of Jewish observance. Shuls, schools, and mikvaot were shut down across the vast country, as Jewish practice was deemed counter-revolutionary—posing an existential threat to millions throughout the Soviet Union.

With his faithful cadre of devoted chassidim, the Rebbe fought with incredible self-sacrifice to preserve traditional Judaism against the overwhelming might of the godless Yevsektsia (the Jewish branch of the Soviet Communist Party responsible for anti-Jewish activities). At one point, the Rebbe organized and funded 600 “underground” chadorim, Jewish schools. My own great-grandfather, Rabbi Dov Ber “Berel” Levertov, known popularly as Berel Kabilaker—a devoted chasid—was murdered by the wicked Soviets for his work on behalf of Judaism.

In 1940, while living in Poland, the Rebbe miraculously escaped the Nazis and arrived in the United States. Although greatly weakened by his travails, he immediately devoted himself to a new mission: ensuring that America would become a vibrant center of Torah and mitzvot.

Sadly, on the Tenth of Shevat in 1950, at the age of 69, his holy soul returned to its Maker. Exactly one year later, on the Tenth of Shevat in 1951, his illustrious son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (ZY"A), assumed the mantle of Rebbe. In his very first maamar, chassidic discourse, delivered to the chassidim, the Rebbe outlined his visionary plans and goals for the future.

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabah 29:11) teaches that the seven great tzaddikim—starting with Avraham Avinu and continuing through Moshe Rabbeinu—made it their life’s mission to draw the Shechinah, the Divine Presence of G d, into this physical and material world. The Rebbe proclaimed that our goal and purpose in life is to do everything in our power to continue this sacred mission. This is accomplished by reaching out to every Jew on earth and spreading the awesome light of Torah and mitzvot to every corner of the globe, creating a Jewish experience enriched by chassidic teachings—transformative and joyous—until we merit the ultimate redemption through Moshiach.

 To this end, the Rebbe embarked on a journey and pursued a vision that many regarded as fantastical and unrealistic. It started with a small group operating out of a modest shul located at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. Buoyed by the Rebbe’s firm belief, powerful determination, and endless optimism, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement grew by leaps and bounds.

Today, Chabad-Lubavitch is the largest Jewish movement in the world, with 4,900 families devoted to the mission of loving outreach, shlichut, and over 3,500 institutions in 100 countries. Who hasn’t encountered a Chabad House? Whether in Midtown Manhattan, Kobe, Japan; Monte Carlo; rural Australia; or San Juan, Puerto Rico, all Chabad Houses share the same trademark nonjudgmental welcome—offering every Jew of every stripe and type a warm home where they can enjoy a delicious meal, a minyan, and a Torah class.

In our wonderful borough of Queens, there are 20 Chabad Houses ranging from Little Neck in the east to Long Island City in the west. They serve our community with everything Jewish—from shuls and schools to camps. Chabad Houses are beacons of light in a dark world, proudly proclaiming their commitment to bringing the Shechinah into this world and restoring it to the way it was meant to be: a true dwelling place for G d, a garden filled with goodness and kindness where Hashem’s presence is palpable.

The Rebbe’s vision is one that all Jews should embrace. Based on the famous Jewish principle of arvut—that we are all responsible for one another—it reminds us that we don’t have the luxury of looking after ourselves exclusively; we are here for each other.

As we approach the very special and holy day of Yud Shevat this coming Shabbat, let us unite with the common goal of doing our part to bring as much light, Shechinah, as we can down to earth. In doing so, we merit the imminent arrival of Moshiach, when all Jews will be reunited in the Holy Land—may it be speedily in our days. Amen! L’Chaim!

 By Rabbi Yossi Blesofsky,
Chairman, Queens Council of Shluchim, and Director, Chabad of Northeast Queens