The Lubavitcher Rebbe

For 92 years the Rebbe lived in our midst, and in virtually every talk he gave, every letter he wrote and every directive he issued, the theme, the sign-off and the goal was: the coming of Moshiach and the attainment of the Redemption.

This was the Rebbe's objective in every program he launched, every action he initiated and every community he founded: a world devoid of hate and greed, a world free of suffering and strife, a world suffused with the wisdom and goodness of its Creator. No less.

The idea of a universal redemption, heralded by a global leader called Moshiach (the anointed) is a basic tenet of the Jewish faith. The Jew believes that the world which G-d created possesses the potential to fully reflect the infinite goodness and perfection of its Creator. And the Jew believes that the realization of this goal is the purpose for which his or her soul has been placed within a physical body and given life on this earth.

The Rebbe often quoted the great Jewish sage Maimonides, who more than 800 years ago had said: a single deed, a single word, even a single thought, has the power to tip the scales and bring redemption to the world.

The Rebbe explained: because the basic nature of our world is perfect and good, our every good action is real and enduring, while every negative thing is just that -- a negative phenomenon, a void waiting to be dispelled. Hence the common equation of evil and good with darkness and light. Darkness, no matter how ominous and intimidating, is merely the absence of light. Light need not combat and overpower darkness in order to displace it -- where light is, darkness is not. A thimbleful of light will therefore banish a roomful of darkness.

No matter how dark the world may seem or feel, light is just a single action away.

The Rebbe saw this and imparted to us this vision. If we open our eyes to this reality, we will bring redemption to the world. Today.