As everyone is preparing themselves for Gimmel Tammuz 5774, I want to bring an enigmatic Midrash to your attention.
The Midrash (B’Reishis Rabba 85:1) – regarding Mechiras Yosef – says the following: “In Parshas VaYeishev, everyone is busy. The brothers were busy selling Yosef; Yosef, Reuven and Yaakov were busy fasting; Yehuda was busy looking for a wife after his first wife died. Hashem was also busy. He was busy creating the light of Moshiach (‘oro shel Moshiach’).
“Hashem made sure that the soul of Moshiach would be created even before the exile in Egypt began. Hashem therefore made sure that Yehudah and Tamar had children before Yaakov and the brothers went down to Egypt.”
Why am I bringing this Midrash to your attention?
We are seeing a lot of amazing things being done in honor of Gimmel Tammuz – 20 years – “Everyone is busy” to quote the Midrash. Many chassidim are learning the Torah of the Rebbe. Many unity events highlighting the activities of the Rebbe are being organized. There have even been 3 new biographies written about the Rebbe that have already sold thousands of copies.
They are all wonderful things and Yasher Ko’ach to all those that take part in these activities. Yet, we must not forget that “The Rebbe is also busy.” What did the Rebbe busy himself with right before 10 Shvat 5730 (20 years from 10 Shvat 5710)? One thing: Completing the seifer Torah of Moshiach!
Dear Fellow Chassidim!
On 11 Nissan 5662, The B’Reishis of the “Seifer Torah of Melech HaMoshiach” started to be “written” in this world. The Neshama of the Rebbe was born and the process of Yetzias Mitzrayim began.
On 10 Shvat 5711, the Rebbe officially assumed the Nesius and made the mission statement very clear: “It is this that is demanded of each and every one of us of the seventh generation – – and ‘all those that are seventh are cherished.’ Although the fact that we are in the seventh generation is not the result of our own choosing and our own service, and indeed in certain ways perhaps contrary to our will, nevertheless ‘all those who are seventh are cherished.’ We are now very near the approaching footsteps of Moshiach, indeed, we are at the conclusion of this period, and our spiritual task is to complete the process of drawing down the Sh’china – moreover, the essence of the Sh’china – within specifically our lowly world.”
During the years of 5751-5752, the Rebbe kept telling us – even to the extent of Nevua – that “Hinei Zeh Moshiach Ba” and that we must prepare ourselves and the world around us for the coming of Moshiach. Just as the Frierdike Rebbe encouraged Chassidim to prepare for Moshiach by getting people to have a letter in the “Torah of Moshiach,” our Rebbe told us clearly and unequivocally that the “Direct Path” to bring Moshiach is by getting all Yidden involved in learning the Torah of Moshiach – i.e. the parts of Torah that discuss the concepts of Moshiach!
This has to be our focus now. We must be focused on “finishing” the Torah of Moshiach. We need people to know that the Rebbe is a “living/accessible” person today that they can turn to for Brachos and guidance. Everyone must know that not only is the Rebbe’s vision and mission of bringing Moshiach relevant, we are about to make it happen!
[I digress for an important point: As someone who deals with young Bachurim daily, I can tell you that the only real way to deal with the Nisyonos of today is a Bachur knowing that “Yesh Rebbe B’Yisroel!” If the Rebbe belongs only to his father etc., then he is not motivated to sacrifice his pleasures for that mission. It is when the Talmidim know and realize that the Rebbe did not forsake them, rather continues to guide and advise etc., that they become receptive to living their lives in accordance with the Rebbe’s vision.]
Please make Moshiach – at least part of – your agenda! May – even before – this Gimmel Tammuz be known as “Gimmel Tammuz HaGadol” when the Rebbe will be revealed – with all his glory – and lead us to Yerushalayim with all Yidden, now!!
Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com.