Happy New Year

 Chabad was not always admired as it is today.  As a matter of fact, when the movement began to spread at the end of the eighteenth century, many attempts were made to stifle it.  In addition to Halachic and spiritual disputes, there were also many attempts made to  eliminate the Chabad leader.

 

An accusation of treason towards the Czar of Russia’s government was leveled against the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the holy founder of Chabad.   He was arrested and taken to prison in a wagon reserved for capital criminals.  The suffering endured by the greatest and holiest Jewish leader in one of the worst prisons on earth, is unimaginable. 

 

Rabbi Schneur Zalman answered all the questions posed to him by the interrogators.  The questions were not just about Chabad but Rabbi Schneur Zalman was also forced to defend Chassidism in general. His fellow Jews, sadly, claimed that he was starting a new religion.  

It quickly became obvious to the government officials, many of whom were great theologians, that not only was the Alter Rebbe not a criminal, but that he was in fact a saintly and scholarly leader.  On the 19th day of the Jewish month of Kislev he was released from prison, and on the 20th he arrived safely to the home of one of his followers. 

 

Upon his release, the Rebbe began to disseminate his teachings and philosophy, knows as Chabad Chassidus, in a much broader reach than ever before, so much so that  the 19th of Kislev is considered the “Rosh Hashanah” of Chassidus.  It is a day of great celebration for Jews around the world to recognize the powerful and life-giving contributions that Chabad Chassidus has given the world.  

Among the many teachings the Rebbe shared are the ability to revitalize Judaism after periods of tremendous darkness, to overcome the challenges of the physical world and our own egos, the recognition that if we are imperfect, we can still approach Hashem to grow even more in our spirituality, the joy of Judaism, and so much more.  These are all reasons to celebrate. 

 

(Please join us on Sunday, December 3 at Chabad for a feast and celebration of this joyous occasion. You can register here.  Also I encourage you to read all about this great holiday here.)

 

There are many lessons we can learn from this event.  One that comes to mind is that greatness is often challenged.  The great revelation of Chassidus, arguably the most important spiritual development in the last millennium, faced an existential challenge from its inception.  Our Rebbes taught that the physical danger posed to the Alter Rebbe actually originated as a spiritual challenge to the new light he was revealing.  As Kabbalah teaches, just as the night preceded day in Creation, every new light must overcome darkness.  Struggle is a necessary part of true growth.

 

This struggle empowers us to strengthen our resolve to overcome all barriers to personal spiritual growth.  And it gives us hope that the current horrific struggle the Jewish people is facing against enemies in Israel and around the world, is leading to a new, greater revelation of light in the world.  May it be the light of Moshiach immediately.