Celebrating the Legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe: Insights and Impact

Tomorrow evening and on Tuesday, the 3rd of Tammuz, marks the 30th yahrtzeit of the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson z"l. Here are 10 facts about his extraordinary life and influence.

1. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (11th of Nissan, 1902 - 3rd of Tammuz, 1994) is popularly known as the "Lubavitcher Rebbe," and served as the seventh Rebbe in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty.

2. The Rebbe's transformative impact on the Jewish people over recent decades is profound. He expanded the Chabad-Lubavitch emissary network globally, contributing to the establishment of thousands of educational institutions and organizations under his guidance. His teachings have been widely disseminated both during his lifetime and posthumously through various publications.

3. The Rebbe initiated campaigns to promote Jewish commandments and Chassidic teachings, encapsulated by the slogan "Ufaratzta," taken from the verse "And you shall spread out westward and eastward, northward and southward." He encouraged his followers to influence others, including those distant from Judaism, to practice these commandments and study Torah by taking to public places and sharing these mitzvot. Additionally, he urged financial support for those who couldn't afford religious items.

4. Known for initiating public actions called "campaigns," some related to holiday observances and were seasonal. For instance, each year Chabad organizes Chanukah candle lightings in homes, stores, and city centers, Lag B'Omer parades, Sukkot lulav booths, the distribution of shmura matzah before Passover, Shofar blowing for those unable to attend synagogue on Rosh Hashanah, executing the four Purim commandments, and more.

5. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of performing mitzvot practically, even once and without understanding their deeper meaning.

6. Another project initiated by the Rebbe, named the Ten Campaigns, called for every Jew to observe ten central mitzvot and influence others to do the same: love for fellow Jews, Jewish education, Torah study, putting on tefillin, affixing mezuzot, charity, maintaining holy books at home, kosher food, Shabbat and holiday candle lighting, and family purity.

(Illustration: Hila Ben Yitzchak)

7. Inspired by his call, Chabad Chassidim set up tefillin booths in urban areas, inviting passersby to perform the mitzvah. Chabad women and girls distribute Shabbat candles and informational pamphlets to other women and girls. Additionally, Chabad centers offer services such as mezuzah placement and kitchen koshering to those interested.

8. The Rebbe's father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, worked to bring Jews distant from Judaism closer to Torah and mitzvot, sending envoys to various countries. During his time, the scope of these activities was quite limited, but under the Rebbe's leadership, the number of emissaries increased significantly, reaching thousands worldwide.

9. The resources of the emissaries focus primarily on drawing as many Jews as possible closer to Jewish tradition, the Torah, and mitzvot. Starting in the 1960s, they have facilitated numerous Jews returning to religious life, both in Israel and abroad. The emissaries also provide support in non-religious areas, consistent with the Chabad philosophy that material assistance is as important as spiritual support. Therefore, Chabad houses often operate soup kitchens and other charitable endeavors for those in need. In tourist areas, they frequently serve as a kind of Jewish embassy, assisting in emergencies.

10. Famous sayings attributed to him:

a. "From the day I went to school, and even before then, the image of the future redemption started forming in my mind - the redemption of the Jewish people from their final exile, a redemption so complete and in such a way that it would make the sufferings of exile, the decrees, and the destruction comprehensible... so that with complete heart and full understanding, 'I will give thanks to You, Hashem, for being angry with me.'"

b. "When we open our eyes and see beyond the fog, beyond the coarse, rude, and jarring exterior, we can understand that people are not truly as they appear. They are different. What may seem to be a world of disbelief is actually a world full of people crying and yearning for faith, even though they are shy to call it by its name, so they refer to it by a thousand other names. They express it in their own ways."

c. "You don't get tired counting diamonds" - this was his response to how he managed to stand long hours welcoming all who sought his guidance.

d. "A teacher, mentor, and guide cannot engrain as deeply within a child's heart as a mother can when she gives her heart and soul teaching her child to appreciate life rooted in the reality that Torah is life, and Judaism is a guide for living. A mother's influence penetrates deeply into a child's heart and stays there for life."

e. "Everyone says: 'Show me Hashem, and then I'll believe.' But it doesn't work that way: first you believe in Hashem, and then you'll see Him."

May his memory be a blessing and his merit protect us.

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