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ב"ה

Uncertain Certainty

Friday, 25 November, 2016 - 2:00 pm

Today I stood with thousands of my colleagues as we prayed together. We prayed for our communities, for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, and for the entire Jewish people.

There is something uplifting about the sense of commitment when you know that your prayers are shared by so many across the globe.  Jewish tradition teaches that the prayers of the community (in contrast to the individual) is never despised by our Father in Heaven. Imagine the prayers of thousands of Jewish communities worldwide, reflected in the petitions of their rabbis!

As I ponder the awesomeness of my annual attendance at the International Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Emissaries, I am reminded of one of the first emissaries mentioned in the Torah.

When Avraham decides it’s time for Yitzchak to build his own family, he dispatches his trusted servant, Eliezer, to seek a suitable girl from among the family’s relatives. Eliezer develops a sign to determine the right girl.

And he said, "O L-rd, the G-d of my master Abraham, please cause to happen to me today, and perform loving kindness with my master, Abraham.

Behold, I am standing by the water fountain, and the daughters of the people of the city are coming out to draw water.

And it will be, [that] the maiden to whom I will say, 'Lower your pitcher and I will drink,' and she will say, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels,' her have You designated for Your servant, for Isaac, and through her may I know that You have performed loving kindness with my master."

After the Torah describes Rivka doing just that, the Torah continues:

And the man was astonished at her, standing silent, [waiting] to know whether the Lord had caused his way to prosper or not.

Now it came about, when the camels had finished drinking, [that] the man took a golden nose ring, weighing half [a shekel], and two bracelets for her hands, weighing ten gold [shekels].

And he said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there place for us for lodging in your father's house?"

Interestingly, Eliezer first gave her the gifts, and only afterwards did he inquire whether she fit the bill! Why did he give the gifts before he knew if she qualified?!

Rashi explains that he was confident in the merit of Avraham. Even though he was not yet certain it was the right girl, he nonetheless felt certain that his mission would be met with success!

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I don’t believe the Rebbe had any comprehensive organizational business plan for what has become the biggest Jewish movement in the world. But, he was supremely convinced that it was a sacred mission. And indeed, the success of today wasn’t even imaginable during his lifetime. And, if the past is any indicator, it pales in comparison with the success of tomorrow.

There are times we all go through similar circumstances. We may not know exactly how things will turn out, but if we are positive that we are on the right path, we can be assured that it will be met with success.

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