When the Past Becomes Present

Foreword

Some of us were told the story by our grandparents, some by our parents, and some remember it themselves.

In the middle of the prayers of the holiest day of the year, reports of the massive attack on Eretz Yisrael started to arrive. We did not understand then; years afterwards, we still did not understand, and now, having relived the experience, there is no way we will understand.

Just as Yom Kippur is a time when G‑d’s love and connection to the Jewish people are given expression, so too, Simchas Torah is a time when Divine favor and rejoicing are shared with us.1

This Simchas Torah, many rabbis probably told their congregations, “In Rabbinical School, they do not teach you how to understand a catastrophic national tragedy that occurs in the midst of a festival.” However, going back 50 years, we can look to the Rebbe’s words – not to understand, for we cannot understand G‑d’s ways, nor should we attempt to – but for guidance on how to respond. With that intent, we are presenting excerpts from the sichos the Rebbe delivered on the day before Sukkos and the third day of that holiday,2 a time when the danger and tragedy of the war was tangibly felt, and yet, the Rebbe’s words inspired confidence and trust, giving direction for individuals and the nation as a whole.

Sichos In English

Is Happiness Fitting at a Time of Battle?

On the surface, explanation is called for: What place is there for a farbrengen at a time when Jews are involved in battle? An explanation can be given on the basis of a teaching of the Baal Shem Tov3 on the verse,4 “G‑d is your shadow, at your right hand”: – Just as a shadow follows the movement of a person’s limbs, so too, G‑d follows the actions of the Jewish people on this material plane.

In this vein, the Zohar5 teaches:

“The higher realms impart effluence to the lower realms according to their state. If on this earthly plane, {a person’s} state is luminous, {Divine light} shines to him from above. If his state is one of sadness, a comparable influence is granted him. {Therefore, we are taught,6 } “Serve G‑d with joy,” because a person’s joy draws down joy from Above.”

Accordingly, the manner in which we can positively influence the situation in these days is through joy, because “Joy breaks through barriers,” including the geographic barriers separating us from those in danger. It elicits joyous revelations from above, for “In the light of the King’s countenance is life.”

When many Jews gather together in one place, they evoke the Divine presence, as our Sages taught, “the Divine presence rests on every congregation of ten Jews.” How much more so is this true when the gatherings connected with teachings of Torah, an arousal to the fear of Heaven, and gifts for tzedakah in the spirit of the verse,7 “Zion will be redeemed for judgment and its captives with charity.”

When I was Pressured from Above

Rashi8 mentions that there are times when a person “prophesies and does not know what he is prophesying.” There are times when we do things and we do not know the purpose of what we are doing and afterwards, we see how timely the matter was.

Throughout the entire summer, emphasis was placed on the verse,9 “From the mouths of infants and babes, You established the strength… to destroy the enemies and those who seek revenge.” A connection was made with the maamar entitled ViKibeil HaYehudim delivered by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, in 5687 (1927),10 and the emphasis he placed on the deliverance Jewish children can evoke through their devotion to Torah study.

Why was I pressured to speak about this message from the maamar delivered in 5687? The concept was mentioned from time to time previously, but without making a major campaign concerning it. Why now was there pressure from Above? Now, we see that such efforts were necessary “to destroy the enemies and those who seek revenge.”

When Jews Are All Considered Righteous

The Torah promises us,11 “When you go out to war against your enemies, G‑d your Lord will deliver them into your hand and you will capture those that they took captive.” The Jews who are now in captivity – and similarly, all the sparks of G‑dliness found among the warring nations – will be redeemed.

This is particularly true when the Jews are on the level of tzaddikim, “the righteous,” for the essence of the day brings atonement.12 Thus, on that day, all Jews – how much more so, those who risk their lives to defend millions of Jews – are on the level of tzaddikim.

There is no place to question whether it was appropriate to perform activities forbidden on this holy day,13 for at a time of danger for the Jewish people, any activity necessary to strengthen those in battle are not only permitted, but are necessary.

May it be G‑d’s will that we see Divine wonders with our own eyes; wonders so great that we recognize that it was not “my strength and the power of my hand that brought me the success,”14 but rather “This is the day on which G‑d worked {wonders}, we will rejoice and celebrate on it.”15 It will be clearly accepted by all nations that every inch of Eretz Yisrael belongs to the Jewish people, and, indeed, we will merit a foretaste of the prophecy16 that “G‑d will expand your boundaries,” granting the Jews additional lands.

There is a law that on Friday afternoon, we should taste the delicacies prepared for Shabbos.17 At this time, shortly before the era that “will be entirely tranquility and Shabbos for all eternity,”18 we will be given a foretaste of the fulfillment of the prophecy that “Eretz Yisrael will expand and encompass all lands,” with the coming of Mashiach.