In this week's Torah portion we read about the mission on which Abraham sent his servant, Eliezer, to choose a wife for Isaac. The Rebbe draws a parallel between the mission (shlichut) of Eliezer and the mission that every Jew is charged with. Each one of us is an emissary of G-d, and our mission is to make this world a dwelling place for Him. We accomplish this by elevating the material of our world to a spiritual level through utilizing the world for the fulfillment of mitzvot. How do we accomplish this? By always having in mind that it is not our individual talents and strengths enabling us to succeed, but the power of the One who sent us.
At a convention of the Rebbe's emissaries, the Rebbe discussed the essence of an emissary. He quoted the teaching that one who is specifically sent on a particular mission by another person is considered as if he is the person who appointed him. The Rebbe pointed out two seemingly opposite characteristics that are required of such an emissary. Firstly, he must be aware of his talents and strong points and use them to his fullest potential. At the same time, the emissary must always be to totally devoted to whoever sent him, remembering that he is representing the one who sent him.
Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, used all of his talents and skills to find a wife for Isaac, but he never forgot that he was representing Abraham, and must fulfill his task according to Abraham's wishes.
The Rebbe's emissaries, the thousands of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals in over 3,500 Chabad Centers and institutions around the globe, have unique and personal talents which they use to fulfill their missions. But they always keep the Rebbe before them, garnering strength from his words and blessings.
In truth, each one of us is an emissary of G-d and each one of us possesses unique abilities that can be used to make this world a dwelling place for G-d. But we must always bear in mind that the strength we utilize is from G-d.
May we all find within ourselves these G-d-given powers that will imminently enable us to make this world a dwelling place for G-d.
