With a broken heart, I landed in New York to join thousands of my colleagues at the annual Kinus Hashluchim (the International Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Emissaries). Sharing dinner with friends and brothers-in-arms, I was uplifted by the energy.
Despite the Kinus occurring during the Shiva after the tragic and heinous murder of our colleague Rabbi Tzvi Kogan הי"ד in the United Arab Emirates, we are marching forward.
One speaker reminded us that after the terrible terrorist massacre in Kfar Chabad, Israel in 1956, the Rebbe insisted on increasing activities and building Kfar Chabad ever more than before. It wasn’t enough to simply rebuild. The bounce back needs to be greater than the previous status quo.
So, the broken Chassidim put shoulder to shoulder to rebuild. Within weeks, the doors to a new Trade School for immigrants opened in Kfar Chabad.
The Torah tells us in Shemot (Exodus 1:12), “As much as they would afflict them, so did they multiply and so did they gain strength.” When Pharaoh started enslaving the Jews, the Jewish people did not become diminished. Quite the contrary, they grew in number and strength.
The Jewish response to tragedy and oppression is to respond with even greater commitment and to expand our activities. We don’t retract. We grow.
We view every event in life as a divine sign of our mission, serving as a catalyst to embrace our role with greater resolve.
As I reflect on the apparent setbacks within the Chabad movement in recent decades, I am inspired by the amazing growth of Chabad. Instead of receding after the passing of our dear Rebbe, Chabad has grown by leaps and bounds. Instead of hiding in fear after the horrific murder of the Shluchim Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg of Mumbai in 2008, Chabad expanded its activities and dedicated new programs in their memory.
What began as a few dozen emissaries, has become Judaism’s largest army of spiritual guides, with over 12,000 men and women serving as Shluchim around the globe.
The results are astounding. It is a testament to the Rebbe’s foretelling vision. But, perhaps more importantly, it serves as proof that Jews around the world are starving for more Jewish activities – not less. It documents the remarkable resilience and passion of the Jewish soul, when it puts its best foot forward despite the challenges.
It is the story of our people – a story revealed by centuries of our shared destiny. And, a story made possible by the devotion of our people. From the very founding of our people, we have been imbued with this sense of purpose, continuous rededication, and absolute faith of our success.
This week’s parsha provides another illuminating example. After Yaakov received his father’s blessings, his brother Eisav swore that he would exact revenge and take his brother’s life. Yaakov was forced to flee. He would spend over three decades in exile – away from his family, homeland, and teachers.
Yaakov arrived in Charan penniless and without a friend.
Instead of looking at his life as a disaster, he got to work building himself up.
Decades later, he returned to the Land of Israel as the Father of the Sons of Israel and a rich man – in body and spirit. Instead of allowing his misfortune to destroy him, he used it as a catalyst to grow stronger and better.
In Rabbi Kogan’s memory – and in the indefatigable spirit of Jewish history and values – we will translate pain and tragedy into growth and success. Let us commit to add another mitzvah and influence even one more person in the spirit of Torah.
Most certainly, our efforts will be rewarding with resounding success.