“America is no Different”

In 1940, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, was miraculously saved from the Nazis and brought to the safe shores of America. Upon his arrival he declared: “America is not different;” he would continue all the activities to strengthen Judaism which he began overseas. More

In 1940, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, was miraculously saved from the Nazis and brought to the safe shores of America. Upon his arrival he declared: “America is not different;” he would continue all the activities to strengthen Judaism which he began overseas.

Didn’t the very freedoms for which he emigrated here also make it obvious that America was, in fact, very different from the Old Country, in Europe?

When one perceives the Rebbe’s core purpose and mission – to disseminate and strengthen Judaism – it becomes clear that whatever his circumstances or surroundings may be, they are inconsequential relative to his mission in life, they are “no different.”

We must internalize this in every part of our personal lives. Although Torah itself demands that daily life include diverse actions, words and thoughts, one mustn’t forget the underlying intent and purpose which unites them and makes them all “no different.” In all one does, “I was created to serve my Maker.’”

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