It was the summer of 1974.
Rabbi M.Y.H., a Jewish community leader in Connecticut, was facing serious challenges in his community work; the obstacles seemed overwhelming, and there appeared to be no end in sight.
So, he turned to the man who'd sent him to Connecticut in the first place: the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Pouring out his heart in a desperate letter, he described his sense of loneliness and helplessness.
“ Rebbe, please help…”
I think it’s important for me to present some important context:
Watching the Rebbe, one could always sense deep empathy. A genuine leader, the Rebbe cried public tears over people’s individual and collective struggles.
At the same, the Rebbe never let us resign ourselves to despair. The Rebbe believed in us, and in our powerful, G-d given potential; the Rebbe never stopped encouraging us to reach ever-deeper inside ourselves to find the answers to life's questions, our personal solutions which G-d has buried within our souls.
In a heartfelt synthesis of empathy and empowerment, the Rebbe met you in your low moments, stood by your side and then lifted you up by guiding you to discover your own ladder.
And, so, the Rebbe responded to Rabbi M.Y.H. during that difficult summer: "....I [actually] anticipated your need before you communicated it. As a solution, I have sent Rabbi M.Y.H. (the Rabbi himself) to your community. It's clear from your most recent letters that you still haven't acquainted yourself with this Rabbi and his [G-d-] given talents. Please get to know him, and [you will see that] things will change immediately (emphasis is the Rebbe's): your mood, your trust in the Almighty, your daily sense of inner peace and happiness etc. etc...".
The Rebbe was always guiding us to unlock our own immense power.
The Rebbe passed away nineteen years ago (we observed the anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing this past Tuesday on the 3rd of Tammuz/June 11th); humanity’s struggles haven’t ceased and the Rebbe’s empowering guidance is more important than ever.
I know it’s still there. Resonating. Guiding. Encouraging.
The Previous Rebbe wrote: “A Rebbe is never lonely and Chassidim are never lonely”. As we approach the Rebbe’s Yahrtzeit, I know that I’m not alone.
If you’re reading this, neither are you.