Our Visit to the Rebbe

Last night, Yishai and I had the profound merit of visiting the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (zt”l) in Queens.  Long time (even short time) readers of this blog know the unwavering commitment we maintain toward spreading awareness of the awesomeness, beauty, and holiness of the Land of Israel – we encourage Jews to come home, experience the power of holistic Jewish living, and make G-d’s Dwelling Place their own.

Yet we never miss an opportunity to visit the Tomb of the Lubavitcher Rebbe when we are in America.  There is an undeniable holiness there, one of the conduits of prayer so many find throughout Israel when they seek to avail themselves of the unique opportunity to gain and grow in the merit of the righteous departed.

I have visited the Rebbe’s Ohel (the term, meaning “tent”, which is intended to describe a large tent set up outside the tomb of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, his predecessor, and their family, as well as the tomb itself and the associated visitor’s center) many times, B”H.  Whenever one goes – whichever day, and at whatever time, there are people streaming in and out, looking for the comfort, the guidance, the majesty and the sense of purpose that the Rebbe provides.  For myself, I always get stuck for a long time in the entrance parlor, where a video of scenes from the Rebbe’s life and work perpetually play.

I never merited to meet the Rebbe.  And I can’t say I am a Lubavitcher – there are Chabad customs I do not keep (such as wearing a wig as opposed to a headscarf), and political lines I do not share (such as the non-necessity of actively encouraging Jews to move to Israel).  Yet when I go to the Ohel, I feel the Rebbe is my Rebbe, that he is my guide and inspiration in so many ways.  I feel the care and love coming out of that TV screen, so many years later.  And I feel totally committed to the mission of Chabad, and to the people who carry it out.

So when I go to the Ohel, I watch the movie, to get a little of that good feeling and sagacious advice.  This time around, the video talked a lot about the month of Elul, and how one must speak about – and to – the Jewish people.  The Rebbe stressed the importance of speaking ONLY GOOD about the Jewish people, even in private discussions with Hashem!  And he said it is important to show the Jewish people the beauty of Judaism, the commandments, and all that being a Hebrew entails, and not to berate or intimidate them, especially in Elul, which the Rebbe called the Month of Mercy – not the month of fire and brimstone, in which time we attempt to frighten the Jews into observance.  Show them the beauty, he said, and they will be attracted.  I am grateful for these and the other messages played last night, which I felt spoke directly to me.

After the video, I went into the large outdoor tent (ohel), in which people sit to write letters.  During his lifetime, the Rebbe received 10s of thousands of letters from all over the world, which he would answer with blessings, warnings, and advice.  Even now, the tradition continues on, as people seek out advice and pray that Hashem will bless them in his merit at the site of his resting place.

So as per usual, I wrote a HUGE letter, which I find to be extremely useful regardless of one’s opinion of the practice itself.  I find I learn a lot about what I want for myself and my loved ones, and what I find lacking in myself and in my life, when I write my letter.  I find that afterward, my goals and my prayers are more focused in my heart, and I am simply a better Jew leaving than I was coming.

Considering this visit, and the news in our beloved Homeland of renewed “peace talks” between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian Authority, I thought you might be enlightened by this video.  The beginning is largely filled with the kind of Bibi-style comic relief which has so enchanted so many American Jews, but the end is very telling.  Whether Bibi succeeds in his own mission or not, may we succeed in lighting that small flame, and starting a bright conflagration in the “House of Lies”