The question is asked: Why was it necessary for there to be the histalkus of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe? Here we had a Jew who showed open miracles… We could have proceeded together with him and thus complete the number of years remaining until the coming of Moshiach! * I don’t have an answer to this quandary… * Source materials compiled by Rabbi Shloma Majeski. (Underlining is the emphasis of the compiler.)
Translated and presented by Boruch Merkur
[Continued from the sicha that appeared in last week’s issue.]
Although we are speaking about something that took place 3000 years ago, it is relevant and applicable to us today:
The question is asked: Why was it necessary for there to be the histalkus of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe? Here we had a Jew who showed open miracles… We could have proceeded together with him and thus complete the number of years remaining until the coming of Moshiach!
I don’t have an answer to this quandary.
However, it is at least necessary to know that the fact is that “The righteous who pass on are present in all the worlds more so than when they were alive” – “even in this world of action [the physical world]…he is more present” (as elucidated in Igeres HaKodesh). Thus, we still have the kochos of the Rebbe to go out and attract others to Torah, to the teachings of Chassidus. And not just the teachings of “general Chassidus,” whose approach is faith, but also the teachings of Chassidus Chabad [which demand using one’s own cognitive faculties in the service of G-d].
It is just that there are fools who ask questions… So the advice is to not reckon with them, to not pay them any attention, and to not be put off by them.
In terms of what was discussed above: In the time of Yehoshua bin Nun, after the histalkus of Moshe, there was a need for a surrounding wall, which guarded against undesirable outside influences, things that could confuse and obstruct, etc. At the same time, one should not remain enclosed within a walled city. On the contrary! He should go out of the city in order to draw in even those who are found in the field, and bring them into the city surrounded by the wall of Torah (as above).
(Toras Menachem 5711, pg. 22)