It's a Beautiful World
The Rebbe at Jardin du Luxembourg park in Paris during the 1930s
On the evening of January 17th, 1951- 10th Shevat, 5711, a diverse crowd of a few hundred people which included holocaust survivors, refugees from Stalinist Russia and American-born young students, all gathered at the headquarters of the Chabad movement, 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, in anticipation of a monumental event that was about to occur.
Less than a decade earlier, the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak Schneerson, had miraculously escaped from war-torn Europe and arrived on American soil along with his family and a small part of his collection of holy books and manuscripts. While the Jewish nation had just experienced the tragic decimation of over a third of our people, The Previous Rebbe, along with his son-in-law, the future Rebbe, began to rebuild Jewish life by opening a network of Jewish day schools, youth programs, a Jewish publishing house, adult education, social services and community centers to assist every Jew around the globe with all their material and spiritual needs.
Dedicated students, followers and admirers were gathering to commemorate both the first anniversary of the Previous Rebbe’s passing and as well as the acceptance of the mantle of leadership by his son-in-law, the Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson.
In the midst of the momentous occasion, a hush filled the room as the Rebbe began to say a Maamer, a Chassidic discourse, based on a verse from Song of Songs by King Solomon. When the Tabernacle was built in the desert, G-d said to the Jewish people “I have come to my garden, my sister, my bride (Shir Hashirim 5:1)”. Metaphorically, this verse describes the mission G-d entrusted the Jewish people to reveal the beautiful garden that the world was intended to be. The Midrash explains further that G-d did not say “the garden” but rather “my garden”, since initially, at the time of creation, G-d’s essence was at home specifically in this physical world. Only as a result of certain negative behaviors did G-d’s presence become concealed and less apparent in the world. But over time, through the efforts of many righteous individuals over the span of history, the world has become more in tune with it’s divine purpose.
In his inaugural address, the Rebbe went on to declare that our generation was entrusted with a special mission to complete the task that Abraham our forefather had begun and fulfil our purpose of making this world a home for G-d and usher in the final redemption.
He continued to explain that the three loves, love of G‑d, love of the Torah, and love of the Jewish people are bound up with one another, so much so that they are all one. Only when you love your fellow as yourself are you able to love G‑d, who transcends the world and is the master of all things. If you have love of G‑d but not love of the Torah and love of people, you are actually lacking in love of G‑d. On the other hand, if you love people you will ultimately come to love the Torah and love G‑d as well. By loving our fellow unconditionally, we thereby create a home for G-d in this world.
On the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat each year we commemorate the Rebbe’s inaugural address and the moment when he accepted the mantle of Chabad leadership. Guiding a generation who had just survived the holocaust, one of the greatest evil of modern history, the Rebbe empowered us to never lose hope and to work on revealing the true beauty of the world and of the people around us. He encouraged every individual of all affiliations, demographics, and careers to use their talents and capabilities to positively influence their surroundings through the teachings of the Torah and performance of Mitzvot.
In this week’s Torah portion, Bo, we learn about the first Mitzvah the Jewish people were given prior to their Exodus from Egypt: Rosh Chodesh, to sanctify the beginning of the month based on the appearance of the new moon. Marking the new month informed the Jewish people as to when the appropriate times were to celebrate the holidays, life cycle events and many Jewish customs and rituals.
The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar months as opposed to the solar year. While the sun’s light remains steady and consistent, the moon, on the other hand, waxes and wanes each month. The Talmud relates that the Jewish people calculate their calendar according to the moon and resemble the moon.
Just as the moon wanes and becomes concealed, for a certain time the Jewish people must endure the darkness of exile. The shining of the moon anew each month, however, reassures us of the coming of the ultimate rebirth — the Redemption. While the Jewish people had just experienced immense hardships during their slavery in Egypt, G-d was empowering them to learn from the moon and never give up in the face of adversity. Throughout our long history, we experienced many highs and lows along our journey. But miraculously we have survived it all and continue to thrive even in modern times.
Our Sages associate the moon’s periodic rebirth with the ultimate renewal the Jewish people will experience in the Era of the Redemption. And along with our nation's rebirth with the coming of Moshiach, the entire world along with all nations will also be renewed. May it happen speedily in our days.
