The Rebbe on the 60's

The following is a free translation of a directive the Rebbe issued to his chassidim at a gathering on Purim of 1963

G-d has granted our generation opportunities that have never been granted before.

One of these opportunities is the recent awakening among the youth for what they call "a return to roots." They hunger and thirst for the word of G-d; its only that they are not, as of yet, aware as to where the word of G-d is to be found. The sole responsibility therefore lies with those who are already immersed in the life-giving waters of Torah to explain to them that their thirst is for G-ds perfect Torah, without compromise.

The first step, the rejection of the negative, our generations youth have already achieved. They have shattered the idols and icons which prevailed among some of their parents. They have recognized that the man-made ideologies that were embraced forty and fifty years ago are false. We need only bring them to the second step, the acceptance of the positive---the study of Torah and the observance of mitzvot.

We are living in a time of opportunity and divine grace, and much can be achieved. We must not squander these times, G-d forbid.

We are living in a time that "The voice of my beloved knocks: Open for me" (Song of Songs 5:2). When G-d knocks on the door of every Jews heart and begs that it open to Him. G-d is not asking that we demolish walls or break down doors, only that we open up to Him as the point of a needle. G-d can no longer suffer, so to speak, the tribulations of the ugalut night. He promises that when we open to Him as the point of needle He will do the rest, and in the blink of an eye, bring the true redemption through our righteous Moshiach.