From the mouths of babes … you anchored strength – (psalms 8,3)
Recently on a Shabbos in 770, I overheard a dialogue between a 12 and 22 year old. It was kind of a big/little brother schmooze, discussing their inspiration from the Rebbe.
The 12 year old who was born three years after Gimmel Tammuz 5754, turns to his mentor who was only seven at that time. Revealing the most powerful sentiments I ever heard describing the power of our most revered Rebbe.
I am paraphrasing the discussion:
“I know that I will grow up to be a Shliach of the Rebbe. I know that the difficulties may include finding an available city in some hick-town behind nowhere in the farthest corner of the world. But that’s ok.
“However, I am worried about my children. When they grow up, what will inspire them to follow in the Rebbe’s footsteps? To them the Rebbe will be like the Rebbe Rashab (the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe who passed away in 1920) is to me. I wonder what will drive their connection to the Rebbe?"
I was astounded and most inspired like I've never been in a long time!
Born three years after Gimmel Tammuz, this 12 year old sees himself as a fully fledged Chasid no less than his father or any of the many thousands who were fully fledged adults long before 1994. He has a Rebbe just like all of us. His life is inspired by, and centers on the teaching and guidance of the Rebbe. He will fill the Rebbe’s Shlichus some 25 years after the Rebbe’s passing as if directed so personally by the Rebbe.
His concern rises when he thinks about his children who will follow him some 25 years later, 50 years after Gimmel Tammuz. He worries that they may feel the absence of the Rebbe in their life. They may feel that they do not have a Rebbe to lead them and guide them.
This is the most wonderful message I could contemplate on this very special day. The children who were born long after Gimmel Tammuz, live and feel the presence of the Rebbe, and they are ready and willing to live by his inspiration in their day to day lives.
Additional comments are extra.
Draw your own conclusions.
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Friends:
I am not worried for the children of this young boy. He has answered all my questions and he displayed the eternity of the Rebbe’s presence amongst us.
In one sentence: This boy confirmed to me that the Rebbe lives! So why the difference between 15 years after Gimmel Tammuz or 50 years after Gimmel Tammuz?
Of course as long as we haven't reached the ultimate goal that the Rebbe set for us, to actually bring Moshiach when we will once again see the Rebbe in his full glory, there is much lacking. However, while we continue our mission to attain this goal, the Rebbe is taking good care of us and our children.
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In 1995, I interviewed Judge Jerome Hornblass, then an associate justice on the New York State Supreme Court. Judge Hornblass met the Rebbe personally many times and he shared some of his impressions about the Rebbe’s impact on the children who were not privileged to see the Rebbe as they grow up.
As a civil servant the judge managed to get the Rebbe advice on how to treat the Jewish population from within government. He also picked up on how the Rebbe helped save Crown Heights and by extension help save and rejuvenate urban America.
A fascinating interview with a legal mind who witnessed leadership of a giant who never missed the minutia in any part of life, no matter how big or small, the Rebbe cared and gave guidance.
I share with you this interview, and I hope that as you commemorate the 15th anniversary of Gimmel Tammuz, you will draw some inspiration from the boy and from the judge, who kind of predicted such results some 15 years ago.
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Urban America was doomed. Like a spinning ferris wheel neighborhoods were built and 30 years later abandoned. Entire neighborhoods were in every major city looked like Berlin after WWII. Until....
Crown Heights in Brooklyn better known for the 1991 pogrom actually set the trend for the rejuvenation of urban America thanks to the stand taken by The Lubavitcher Rebbe, so says New York state Supreme Court Justice Jerome Hornblass.
And why would The Rebbe talk about Shofar blowing in middle of March?
And why would a 80 year old scholar spend so many hours with little children?
And what advice did the Rebbe give to an aspiring Jewish civil servant in New York City?
Judge Hornblass served as a civil servant for close to 50 years and he met The Rebbe many times and he gives us some insight to the meaning of true leaders and true leadership.
Gut Shabbos
