The Story of the Rebbe Rashab’s Weeping and its Lessons
I NTRODUCTION
The Previous Rebbe related (and published) the following story concerning his father, the Rebbe Rashab:¹²
When the Rebbe Rashab was a young boy of four or five, he entered the study of his grandfather (the Tzemach Tzedek) in order to receive his blessings on the occasion of his birthday. However, upon entering the study he began to cry; when questioned, he explained that he had just been taught the first passage in Parshash Vayera (Bereishis 18:1), ìAnd G-d appeared to him [Avraham]î ñ he is crying because G-d only appeared to Avraham, but does not appear to usÖ
Replied the Tzemach Tzedek: When a Jew ñ a tzadik ñ who, at the advanced age of ninety-nine nevertheless resolves to [further improve and] circumcise himself, he is then worthy of having G-d revealed to him.
Being a Rebbe, the very question of the Rebbe Rashab ñ even a query posed as a child ñ is considered part of Torah and constitutes a directive for all Jewry. After all, it was specifically this episode (from the numerous occurrences of his lifetime) that was publicized and personally recounted by the Previous Rebbe, who then instructed that the account be published.
The Rebbe customarily repeated this account each year on the twentieth of Marcheshvan and considered it an endless source of instruction.
ASPIRE FOR A PERSONAL REVELATION •
Every Jew, regardless of their spiritual standing and including those who are young biologically or spiritually (being undeveloped in knowledge of Torah and Judaism), may and indeed should yearn for a revelation of G-dliness ñ to the point that they are moved to tears of distress for G-d not revealing Himself to them in their own physical lives.¹³
CRAVE LIKE A CHILD • ----------------------
Our craving and even weeping for a greater revelation of G-dliness should be like that of a young child, i.e., out of pure and honest simplicity and with our very innermost heart ñ without involving external calculations as adults are wont to do.
This is something every Jew is indeed capable of accomplishing, for it is stated (Hoshea 11:1): Israel is a child and I loved him [says Hashem].¹⁴
I NSATIABLE • divine service should not be satisfied with his achievements; they [too] should [take a lesson from this story (see footnote), and] yearn and even weep for a yet greater revelation of G-dliness.¹⁵
One who has already attained an advanced spiritual state of
MAKE G-DLINESS PART OF YOUR DAILY LIFE • th
In 5751 (1990), the Rebbe stated: This year is the 150 anniversary of the Rebbe Rashabís birth¹⁶ ñ every Jew (regardless of his spiritual standing) ìattainsî the Rebbe Rashabís complete level of Torah study and divine service. This means that every Jew is given the ability to study Torah and serve G-d in a manner whereby G-dliness becomes an integral part [and a necessity] of his day-to-day life.¹⁷
ABILITY TO ALWAYS DESIRE G- DLINESS • manner ñ we cannot learn everything all at once! Yet even at the very outset of our Torah study and spiritual development, the strength of the combined achievement of all the Rebbe Rashabís Torah study and divine service (a level represented by the number ì150î) is already present ñ for a start, we should experience a constant yearning for G-dliness.¹⁸
Obviously, we must approach our divine service in an orderly
I NCREASE T ORAH STUDY • study of both the ìrevealedî and ìinnerî teachings of the Torah (and particularly the teachings of the Rebbe Rashab); studying in a manner where the material is fully comprehended, but without adding explanations and ideas from outside sources to the teachings.¹⁹
Our yearning should find actual expression in the increased
H IGHEST STANDARD OF OBSERVANCE • the enhanced observance of mitzvos ñ to the point where we observe them according to the highest possible standard.²⁰
Our yearning should also find expression in an increase in
FILL THE GLOBE WITH T ORAH AND CHASSIDUS • should also extend to influencing others; to our disseminating Torah, Judaism and chassidus ñ and eventually influencing the entire world.²⁰
This is not only relevant to our personal achievements, but
PLANT FRESH BRANCHES OF TOMCHEI TEMIMIM • students,î i.e., expand the branches of the tomchei temimim yeshivah system to every appropriate location.¹⁷
We should disseminate Torah and ìestablish many
E DUCATE TO LONG FOR G-DLINESS • the expansion of Torah educational centers. In particular, we should imbue the Jewish youth (those who are either biologically or spiritually young, i.e., undeveloped in their knowledge of Torah and Judaism) with the kind of education whereby a personal revelation of G-d is an issue that deeply concerns and truly matters to them.¹⁷
We should also place great effort into Torah education and
GATHER, UNITE , BOLSTER •
We should accomplish all the above in a manner of Heichaltzu [ì(Gather and) arm men from amongst yourselvesî ñ Bamidbar 31:3]²¹ ñ whereby everyone rallies together.
A particularly appropriate way to accomplish this is to hold farbrengens, where in an atmosphere of love and unity between fellow Jews, each person bolsters the other regarding all matters of holy concern.²²
•
Amen!î As the Rebbe explains, the final word is repeated in order to emphasize that the victory and revelation of moshiach will occur in a most complete and final manner. (Based on With Light and with Might, by Sichos In English.)] We have Rebbe Rashabís power to bring Moshiach [On the twentieth of Marcheshvan, the Rebbe Rashabís] mazal [influence from the supernal root of his soul] is certainly predominant regarding his combined lifeís accomplishments, Torah and divine service, performed by the Rebbe Rashab throughout his lifetime; on this day, all of these accomplishments intensified. And since, nowadays, one of the most fundamental services is Ö the imminent Redemption Ö is an extremely opportune time to hasten and bring the Redemption in actuality. (Marcheshvan 20 5749; Hisvaaduyos pp. 341-342) Parshas Vayerah 5749 (Hisvaaduyos p. 342). His theme is our theme Since this story is associated (and was recounted by the Previous Rebbe in connection) with the Rebbe Rashabís birthday ñ a birthday being an all-inclusive day in oneís life Ö it is only logical that this account expresses the essential theme of the Rebbe Rashabís overall divine service ñ and particularly, his role as Leader of the Generation. (Parshas Vayerah 5751; Hisvaaduyos p. 279) 10. 11. 12. Just a boy? This story took place while the Rebbe Rashab was yet a young boy. Yet the occurrences of his youth constitute a harbinger of his later years [as the leader of Jewry]. There are numerous well known accounts of saintly men and leaders of Jewry, who, in their youth displayed exalted characteristics that were indicative of their future greatness. All the more so in the case of the Rebbe Rashab, as per the statement of the Tzemach Tzedek regarding his birth: The Rebbe Rashab was born on the twentieth of Marcheshvan in the Hebrew year kisra, ìcrownî [the Hebrew letters of 5621 spell this word. Further, the day of his birth was on the twentieth (chof) of the month; chof is also the abbreviation of kesser.] The Tzemach Tzedek declared that this was an allusion to kesser ilaíah [ìSupernal Crownî; a most sublime level of Divinity, transcending all other sefiros], which in turn reflected on his coronation with the crown of [Chabad] leadership ñ as was revealed in due course. [Thus the account of the Rebbe Rashab ñ even as a child ñ is certainly a source of instruction for every Jew.] (Ibid., fn. 7)
13. A query is also an answer Even a query posed from the Rebbe Rashab is itself Torah and a source of instruction (as is every query in Torah [even those that are subsequently refuted]). [Moreover, his question constitutes] a general lesson in the life of every Jew. (Ibid.; Hisvaaduyos p. 285) The Torah is talking to you When a Jew studies Torah and reaches the passage, ìAnd G-d appeared to him,î he should be aware that main subject of the verse ñ is himself! After all, the Torah does not state, ìAnd G-d appeared to Avrahamî ñ but rather, ìAnd G-d appeared to him.î Further, [the Jew studying this passage] is a son of Avraham and was also entered into briso shel avraham aveinu, ìthe covenant of our father Avrahamî ñ to who ìG-d appearedî specifically in the merit of having given himself a bris milah Ö Indeed, this very awareness arouses a strong desire to personally witness the revelation of ìG-d appeared to him.î Education [As explained earlier,] the events of the Rebbe Rashabís youth are a harbinger of his later years; he was destined and fit to become Leader of all Jewry, and therefore, his conduct even while very young is a source of instruction for the entire nation concerning their own childrenís education. This, then, is the lesson we can learn from the Rebbe Rashab: [The manner of education we provide should ensure that] even a young child should yearn for a revelation of G-dliness in the manner of ìG-d appeared to himî ñ and the child should even to be moved to tears [at the lack of such a revelation]. Make it happen Since the child yearns to witness such a revelation, he will certainly do all he possibly can to be considered fit to receive it, through [the efforts of] his own divine service (beginning with the mitzvah of bris milah). (Parshas Vayerah 5752; Hisvaaduyos p. 272, with fn. 63) [For more on this theme, see Parshas Vayerah 5749, fn. 46 (Hisvaaduyos p. 334).]
14. Parshas Vayerah 5751 (Hisvaaduyos p. 285). 15. Parshas Vayera It is currently Shabbos Parshas Vayerah, and also the twentieth of Marcheshvan, birthday of the Rebbe Rashab; now is a fitting time to contemplate the lessons we are to learn from the storyÖ (Parshas Vayerah 5750; Hisvaaduyos pp. 361-362) Climb higher The Rebbe Rashab specifically wept over the revelation of ìG-d appeared to him,î which is the opening passage of this weekís Torah portion ñ despite his having previously learnt of numerous G-dly revelations to Noach (and even to Avraham) in earlier portions. This indicates an advanced level of yearning for the revelation of G-d: The Rebbe Rashab was not satisfied with the revelation of G-dliness he experienced previously, based on the spiritual levels he had then occupied. Rather, he longed, yearned and wept over the fact that he had not yet merited the far greater revelation [expressed only in this weekís portion] ñ ìG-d appeared to him.î ... The Rebbe Rashabís conduct serves an instruction to all who follow in his path. (Ibid., p. 360) Good enough for Geulah standards? This is the chief lesson and instruction to be taken from Parshas Vayerah: Every Jew should yearn profusely for the revelation of ìG-d appeared to him,î which will occur with coming of the true and complete Redemption. They should do whatever they can to make themselves fit to receive this revelation; performing each activity in a manner that befits the standards of the true and complete Redemption. (Parshas Vayerah 5752; Hisvaaduyos p. 274) 16. Five times Havayah Every Jew receives from the Rebbe Rashab and his successor, the complete state of ì150î ñ is five times the numerical value of the Divine Name Havayah (5x26). [This represents] the complete state of the Rebbe Rashabís accomplishments in Torah study and so on. Parshas Vayerah 5751 (Hisvaaduyos p. 288). Practically speaking, every Jew should add (in connection with the twentieth of Marcheshvan) a state of completion to their Torah study, and in all aspects of their divine service ñ starting with the ability to constantly yearn for G-dliness. (Ibid.) According to the principles of Chassidus Ö Rather, our study should be based strictly upon the explanations presented in the Chassidic discourses of the Rebbes of Chabad. (Ibid.) Focus on goal The main thing (in addition to the desire and yearning) is to actually attain a far greater level of G-dly revelation. (Ibid. (5750), p. 362) 17. 18. 19. 20. Parshas Vayerah 5750 (Hisvaaduyos p. 362). See also Parshas Vayerah 5751 (Hisvaaduyos p. 288): ì...Coupled with study that leads to action.î A call for unity and action ... As the Rebbe Rashab explains at length in his famous treatise ñ both in its first section (published when the treatise was first delivered) as well as in the latter section (publicized by the Previous Rebbe many years later); its most basic meaning is that everyone should rally together. (Parshas Vayerah 5750; Hisvaaduyos p. 362) 21.
