A 60 Year Milestone
It was 1951, exactly 60 years ago. A group Chassidim gathered in a small room on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY. They were commemorating the first anniversary of the passing of the saintly Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch, the Previous Rebbe of Chabad.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak’s son-in-law (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn) was leading the gathering, sharing stories and words of encouragement and inspiration. Then, in the midst of his talk he made the following inaugural announcement.
This announcement would formally mark the start of a new chapter in the history of the Jewish People and would forever change the face of the Jewish world:
"Here in America, it’s customary to begin with a statement; and the statement must be something new and shocking… This shouldn’t be a shock but if you want a statement: My father in law said that there are three things: love of G‑d, love of the Torah, and love of every Jew, And all three are one.
In other words, one cannot separate between these loves … Therefore everyone must know: If you want to attain love of G‑d, it is not enough and will not last without love of Torah and love of every Jew."
With this simple statement the Rebbe set forth his mission statement that would shape the next 60 years. His dream: reach out with unconditional love to each and every Jew across the globe and give him or her access to their rightful heritage – the warmth and beauty of the Torah.
At the time, people thought the Rebbe naive and delusional (at best). But today, exactly 60 years later, there is not a corner of the world that has not been permeated by this man’s influence and love. Today there are some 4000 couples (like myself and Fruma) directing some 2500 Chabad institutions from Perth to Pleasanton and from Laos to Livermore. The Rebbe’s sphere of influence is, by no means, limited to Chabad activities. The very notion of reaching out with love to another Jew and sharing the love of G‑d and Torah is a novelty that began 60 years ago.
So in honor of this most auspicious Shabbat, why don’t we continue the Rebbe’s legacy and share the love of Torah and the love of G‑d. Let us share it with our families, our spouses, our friends, and – most importantly – ourselves.
Please join us for a special lunch/gathering after services this Shabbat at 12pm celebrating 60 years of the Rebbe’s impact and influence.
Shabbat Shalom,
