By Rabbi Mendel Rubin
In the well-known biblical story of Jacob's Ladder, G-d tells Jacob, "Ufaratzta!" a verse usually translated as "You will spread forth, to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south."
It was a bold reassurance to Jacob, who was fleeing his brother's wrath and alone on his journey, that he would have a family, he would be successful and his descendants would grow and flourish.
But the word Ufaratzta means far more than spreading out. The same Hebrew root word is found once more when Judah's twins are born. Peretz was named for the way he burst forth, pushing to get out of the womb ahead of his brother.
Ufaratzta means breaking out, disregarding obstacles and obstructions, overcoming limitations.
The Rebbe often said Ufaratzta is a prompt to face our challenges joyfully, noting the presence of Ufaratzta's root word in the classic Chassidic proverb, "Simcha Poretz Geder" — joy breaks though all barriers.
By serving Hashem with joy, the spiritual energy created breaks though all spiritual restrictions and limits, drawing down special blessings in response from above.
Chabad adopted Ufaratzta as a motto, as a melody and as a charge. In the early years when the Rebbe urged his Chassidim to move out to far-flung distant communities, to serve as Shluchim in cities and towns large and small, the slogan was Ufaratzta. It was emblazoned on Mitzvah tanks; it was sung at the Rebbe's Hakafot on Simchat Torah. There even was a magazine with that name for a time.
More than merely expanding outwards, Ufaratzta means to overcome inhibitions, daring to be different, to make an impact. Forge ahead, let nothing stop or hold you back! Ufaratzta is a charge, a mission, a life-undertaking.
Today, people take Chabad everywhere for granted. It's almost expected for there to be Chabad in Alaska or Beijing, or in nearly every state of the Union. But this was a breakthrough, this was a daring and visionary accomplishment, it was Ufaratzta-driven.
As the world around us continues to change, and as we face new challenges, Ufaratzta is certainly beating strong beneath the surface, animating all that Chabad does.
Ultimately, the greatest Ufaratzta will be to break through the bounds of exile, bringing on the coming of Moshiach, about who the Torah says, "Ala haporetz lifneihem," — the breaker of barriers has ascended before them.
If we all rise above our own personal limitations, continue to add in goodness and kindness, and grow in all aspects of Torah and Mitzvos, we will surely merit the final Ufaratzta, when Hashem remove the limitations of exile and we will all return home, from the west, the east, the north and the south.