The day of a tzaddik's passing is often referred to as a "hilula." This Aramaic word means a great celebration a wed-ding celebration. At first glance, how can such a term be used for the day of a tzaddik's passing, something our Sages compared to "the burning of the House of our G-d"? After all, something sad and painful occurred righteous individuals who illuminated the world with their To-rah and Divine service have disappeared from our sight. We no longer see the radi-ance of their faces or hear the voice of their Torah and prayers. How can such a day be called a "day of hilula," a day of joy and not just joy, but wedding joy?!
A Different Kind of Life
In this lies the true meaning of the lives of tzaddikim, especially those who paved a path later followed by their students, suc-cessors, and the Jewish people as a whole. These are lives that do not end with the physical departure of the body. They con-tinue to live, influence, direct, and guide only in different garments.
Most people live physical lives. True, we all believe in the existence of a Divine soul within us, and we also know that it is our essential self, but this knowledge remains abstract. We see only physical reality, per-ceive only through our senses, and from this we derive our excitement, joy, or sor-row. When physical life ends, we call it "death," because indeed that particular form of life has come to an end.
But for tzaddikim, the essence of life is entirely different. They see reality through different eyes spiritual eyes. In every-thing, they perceive its spiritual and Divine essence, and their lives are lives of the soul: lives of faith, love of G-d, and awe of G-d. They are stirred, inspired, gladdened, and pained by spiritual matters.
Among Us and Within Us
These ideas apply to all true tzaddikim, but there is a special advantage in one whose "offspring are alive (zaro b'chaim)." When a tzaddik's light and teachings pene-trate deeply into the souls of many Jews, becoming part of them, and these teach-ings give them life, motivate them, and serve as an inexhaustible source of strength and inspiration then that tzaddik in actuality has not died. Rather, he continues to live within his "offspring," as our Sages said: "Just as his offspring are alive, so too he is alive."
The fact that the Rebbe is still present now, connected to us and leading us, is self-understood. But there is even more than that: when one sees masses of Jews filled with vitality in the service of G-d, overflowing with love for fellow Jews, devoted to spreading the light of Torah and Chassidus, and permeated with fiery faith in the imminent Redemption - then, in actual fact, "he is alive."
Therefore, it is clear that the Rebbe has not left us. He is with us and within us, contin-uing to lead the Jewish people, and there is no doubt that very soon we will all witness the fulfillment of his great prophecy: "Behold, Moshiach is coming."
Adapted from Rabbi Menachem Brod, Sichat HaShevua
