The 18th of Elul, called Chai Elul in Chabad circles, is the birthday of both the Baal Shem Tov (1698) and R’ Shneur Zalman of Liadi, (1745) founder of Chabad and known as the Alter Rebbe.
When R’ Shneur Zalman was born, the Baal Shem Tov instructed the baby’s father, who was his student, not to tell him anything about the Baal Shem Tov. When people would try to tell stories of the Baal Shem in the boy’s presence, his father would stop them.
While the Baal Shem Tov went out of his way to inspire people and reveal holiness in the world, he also realized that some people must come to it on their own.
He wanted this boy to make his own path in Avodas Hashem, and that’s exactly what he did. The young man grew and forged a path in serving Hashem which was traveled by many, many of his students and followers.
Part of his tradition was the idea of self-reliance in personal growth. No one can do it for you; you have to work on it for yourself. Then, when you have succeeded, you will be able to take great pleasure in your accomplishments, and aim for more.
One who looks at the followers of the Alter Rebbe can see that they each possess that spark of independence and uniqueness, which is something we can all aspire to.
