This coming Tuesday, 3rd of Tammuz - 9th of July, we will commemorate and observe the Rebbe's 30th Yahrzeit.
A Rebbe is a comprehensive soul, a soul that is connected to and understands every other soul. In the book Hayom Yom, compiled by the Rebbe from the teachings of the previous Rebbes, it says that when the Rebbe—the comprehensive soul—prays and there is an ascent of his soul on high, at that very moment he connects with every single Jew in the generation.
In Jewish law the needs of the community, supersede the needs of the individual. Thus, an individual must be willing to sacrifice for the community. How much more so does this apply to the Rebbe, a comprehensive soul. The “private life” of the Rebbe is minimal, his personal needs are not his primary focus, and as a result, the needs of the community, of the world community, take precedence.
On the third of Tammuz, 1958, the Rebbe stated with regard to the Previous Rebbe:
“In the case of a spiritual leader and shepherd of Israel, his entire raison d'etre is to promote the welfare of his contemporaries and to guide them. (His 'private' affairs are incomparably less important to him.) ...
“We don't understand why the Rebbe's physical life had to end, but it is the needs of the community that dictated it. In the case of a comprehensive soul, his private affairs are also relevant to all Israel.”
What are the needs of the Rebbe? “I need my children [disciples].” These were the words with which Rabbi Yehuda the Prince left his children and disciples. These are the words, which the Rebbe expounded upon after the passing of the Previous Rebbe. These are the Rebbe's needs.
What does the Rebbe “need his children” for?
“I have done all I can. Now I am giving it over to you. Do everything you can to bring Moshiach in actuality,” the Rebbe stated shortly before his passing.
The Rebbe has one need, which is the need of our entire generation and of all the generations, the ending of our bitter exile and the commencement of the Redemption.
We can accomplish this through fulfilling the Rebbe's clear and specific directives: studying areas of Torah which relate to the future Redemption; increasing in acts of goodness and kindness; living with this reality and sharing this information with others.
May we ultimately and speedily merit to welcome this new era and be reunited with our dear Rebbe.
