B"H
Tuesday, Nissan 11, 5782 / April 12, 2022
Today, the 11th day in the month of Nissan, is the 120th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory, who was born on this day in the year, 1902.
The Rebbe became the leader of Chabad-Lubavitch in the year 1950, after the passing of his father-in law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson. The Rebbe took the movement to another level.
More than anyone else in the last century and many centuries before, did a Jewish leader affect the lives of so many in such a positive way. His advice, his teachings, his dedication to Jewish education, his concern for Jewish youth and the elderly, as exhibited by the thousands of emissaries (Shluchim) he sent throughout the world, has no comparison in Jewish history. The Rebbe cared for every Jew wherever they may live. For that purpose, he sent emissaries to the farthest corners of the world.
One can find a Chabad House wherever a Jew is found. The saying goes, “Wherever a Jew travels in the world they will find Coca Cola and Chabad.”
The holiday of Pesach begins this Friday night April 15, with the Seder. At the Seder the children play a very important role. We speak about the four sons: the wise son; The wicked son; The simple son; The one who doesn’t know what to ask. The Torah tells us to involve them all in this important celebration.
The question is, “Why is the wicked son placed right next to the wise son? Shouldn’t he be the last one, after all, he is the wicked son?
The Rebbe explains it as follows: The reason we bring together the above-mentioned children to the Seder is to include them in the beauty of our traditions and teach them the Jewish way of life. Even the one who is wicked and will barrage us with disturbing questions, he too, must be included in the Seder ceremony. We cannot give up on any Jew. We include everyone and try to answer their questions, so they too, will share in the beauty of our sacred traditions.
Thus, we place the wicked son next to the wise one, because the wise son is the one who can answer his questions and influence the wicked one. None of the other children at the Seder can answer his questions. The Rebbe says, “It is the duty and responsibility of the wise son to make a conscious effort to teach the wicked son. No Jew should be left behind.
The Rebbe taught by example. He felt responsible for every Jew and made his followers aware of that too. The Rebbe’s emissaries to the Ukraine, who have been there to save Jews spiritually are now selflessly saving Jews physically as the bombs rain in on Ukraine. The fact that the Rebbe’s holy work continues, close to 30 years after his passing, attests to the fact that the Rebbe lives on in spirit and continues to influence us all.
May the Rebbe’s merit bring peace and blessings to all, with the coming of Moshiach. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY