Our Mission Statement

Every business, organization, or movement has a mission statement that outlines the purpose for its existence. The mission statement represents the fundamental reason behind the establishment of the entity. While the products or services offered by the entity may encompass a wide range of options, a successful business or organization must always remain aligned with its mission in order to fulfill its intended purpose.

As we commemorate the upcoming 4th of July Independence Day, we express gratitude to the founding fathers of this great country while reflecting on our country's mission statement and the values of religious liberties and moral ethics which helped shape our society making it into a country which continues  to be so hospitable to the Jewish people and members of all faiths.

As stated in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Not coincidentally, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling this week, favoring religious liberty and enabling individuals of all faiths to make contributions to society while maintaining their religious beliefs and practices. The case of Groff v. DeJoy involved a postal service employee who faced discrimination due to his religious observance. In a unanimous decision of 9-0, the court's ruling received support from all members of the court, as well as major religious organizations representing a diverse range of American society.

We cannot take any of this for granted. In fact, during the upcoming Shabbat and Sunday, we commemorate another celebration that reminds us of a not-too-distant era.

In 1927, the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Y.Y. Schneerson, was arrested in his home in Leningrad on charges of counter-revolutionary activities. This was due to his leadership and determination to keep Judaism alive in the Former Soviet Union, despite the opposition of the communist government. The Soviet authorities recognized him as a leader of world Jewry, and they knew that as long as he continued his Jewish outreach, their efforts to eradicate Judaism would be unsuccessful.

However, his arrest and subsequent exile garnered significant attention. International pressure, led by the U.S. government, compelled the Soviet authorities to commute his death sentence shortly thereafter. On the Hebrew dates of 12 and 13 of Tammuz, he was liberated, and these dates are commemorated each year as a holiday, celebrating his miraculous victory on behalf of the Jewish nation.

Eventually, the Previous Rebbe arrived in New York in 1940 and played a crucial role in revitalizing Jewish life in America and around the world. His efforts were later greatly expanded upon by his son-in-law, the Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson.

The Rebbe frequently emphasized that America is "a country of kindness" and expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the U.S. government. Not only did the United States serve as a safe haven for the Jewish people, but it also became a base from which Judaism could flourish and spread throughout the world.

In this week's Torah portion, Balak, we learn about the episode of the Jewish people's preparation to enter the land of Israel after forty years of wandering in the desert.

Despite the Jewish people's efforts to peacefully pass through the neighboring countries, the surrounding nations initiate an attack against them. As the Jews are victorious against their adversaries, the Moabite King Balak hires an idolatrous prophet named Bilaam to curse them. However, instead of cursing them as instructed, G-d commands Bilaam to bless the Jewish people. Consequently, Bilaam delivers beautiful blessings and prophecies concerning the future redemption and the Messianic era.

Contrary to the misconception that the end of days will be filled with apocalyptic events, Judaism teaches that the Messianic redemption will usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all nations on Earth. This period will be characterized by the absence of sickness, violence, poverty, and death. The Jewish people will return to Israel and rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem, while all nations will recognize and connect with the one G-d.

Two essential principles of the Jewish faith, listed among Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Jewish Faith, are the belief in the ultimate redemption and the belief in the resurrection of the dead during that era.

Why is the coming of Moshiach (Messiah) so central to Jewish beliefs?

The Torah teaches us that the world was created with a purpose, and the Messianic era represents the realization of that purpose.

While Jewish belief also speaks of the soul's reward in the afterlife, earned through its toil during life's journey, it places utmost importance on sanctifying the physical and infusing holiness and purpose into the mundane aspects of existence. The primary objective is to sanctify the human body and the world at large, as this was the original intention of creation. Since the beginning of time, G-d envisioned a "dwelling place" for Himself here on Earth, and He placed us here to shape and transform this world, to bring light into darkness.

The mission statement of the world, and specifically of Judaism, has been reiterated throughout history and is often mentioned in our prayers. Maimonides includes it as one of the Thirteen Principles of Jewish Faith: "I believe with complete faith in the coming of Moshiach..."

By constantly reminding ourselves of our mission statement, we are motivated to align our actions with the pursuit of that goal and to accomplish our mission speedily.

Each generation has its unique focus in bringing the world one step closer to redemption. The Rebbe often emphasized that our generation is the last generation of exile and the first generation to usher in the era of redemption (Moshiach). It is our responsibility to finally fulfill the world's mission statement.

As we approach the final moments before the coming of Moshiach, the world itself is adapting to the new era. Although it may appear that there is still much work to be done, in reality, relative to earlier generations, we are living in a time of relative prosperity.

Through the advancements in medicine, technology, education, and economics over the past few centuries, many of the blessings and prophecies mentioned in the Torah regarding the Messianic times have become increasingly realistic. Let us begin to experience this new reality today!