The Messenger

In discussion of the personal mission to fulfill the purpose of creation, one can easily assume that what actually matters is the message, not the messenger. What matters is for the global environment and my personal psyche to become a home for G‑d, but how this happens may be of little relevance. One can think: “The world ought to change; being that I can make it happen, I do.”

We conventionally assume that the person is on the sidelines of this transformative process.85

To illustrate: If one needs to get an envelope to the mailbox, how it gets there is of little concern. The person can do it themselves or ask a friend. Theoretically, even a robot can be designed to perform this task. What matters is for the envelope to find itself inside the box before the day’s mail is collected.

Similarly, one can think that in the delivery of G‑dliness to the world and its integration within the Tachton, the person acts as a glorified delivery-person.

The task may be more sophisticated than depositing an envelope in a mailbox, but essentially, they are alike. The person is only a “means” for the objective to be accomplished.

However, in Chassidus Chabad a revolutionary perspective is offered.86 The Alter Rebbe taught that every Jew arrives in this world as G‑d’s Shliach, His personal emissary.87

Beyond being a descriptive illustration, this classification has important ramifications. Changing the way we view our role in the fulfillment of purpose, the Shliach themselves is seen as a microcosm of the Dirah BeTachtonim.88

To explain: Within halachah, a Shliach is characterized by two opposing dynamics:

1) The Shliach must be independent. To be nominated as an emissary, the Shliach is required to be of the age of responsibility and decision-making.89 Being sent to a place far from the sender, the Shliach is meant to be fully capable and self-reliant.90

2) The Shliach must be alike to the Meshaleiach, the sender. The Shliach acts on behalf of the sender, representing their presence and authorized with their power of attorney. Halachah requires the Shliach to be of similar denomination as the sender,91 and the Shliach must not deviate in the slightest from the Meshaleiach’s intent and desire.92

These two requirements seem contradictory. The combinations of empowerment and selflessness, independence and conformity, are paradoxical. The Shliach is challenged to transcend opposites and merge them into a unified force.

Somehow, the Shliach is meant to harness their own thinking to be solely dedicated to fulfilling the Meshaleiach’s desires.93

Divesting themselves of their own opinions and agendas, the Shliach must not be concerned about whether to follow orders, but how to carry them out.94

Despite acting with confidence and ingenuity, the Shliach’s accomplishments are attributed to their sender rather than to their own capabilities.95

This internal fusion of opposites represented in the Shliach is therefore the very basis of the mission of Dirah BeTachtonim. It too is a convergence of opposites, where a diverse and lowly world becomes a home for G‑d Himself. Thus, the messenger and the mission are entirely alike.96

A Shliach is a “walking Dirah BeTachtonim,” working to engage the world in a relationship with G‑d which is identical to their own.97

The Shlichus Movement

The ideal of Shlichus reframes our general perspective of avodas Hashem. Beyond connecting the individual with the general mission of Dirah BeTachtonim, the message of Shlichus gives powerful insight into how we are to go about fulfilling our respective missions.

Each and every Jew can recognize that we arrive in this world as Shluchim, faithful emissaries of the Al-mighty G‑d. We are empowered with His mission, and our psyches can be fully ­coordinated towards this selfless ideal. Each individual carries the ability and responsibility to serve as G‑d’s ambassador in their local environment. More than just a task, being a Shliach is a full-blown character and identity.

While the concept of Shlichus has been a true and important message throughout the ages, it has become all the more relevant in our times.

The past century saw the birth of the Shlichus movement, with the Chabad Rebbeim appointing thousands of their chassidim to be their personal Shluchim in all corners of the globe.98

Mirroring the dynamics of Shlichus which are intrinsic to every Jew’s role as an ambassador of G‑d, the Rebbeim empowered these individuals to take this identity one step further. In this context, Shlichus becomes a full-time pursuit where the chassid travels from their natural environment to fulfill this G‑dly mission in locales where it is needed most. With dedication and connection to their Rebbe, their Meshaleiach, these chassidic Shluchim work with exemplary devotion in fulfilling the mission of G‑d, the ultimate Meshaleiach.99

In our generation, Shlichus became a lifetime commitment, with young couples moving to far-flung locations with no plans of ever returning to their original communities. With a tremendous sense of mission, Shluchim devote their all to bringing authentic Yiddishkeit and Chassidus wherever possible.

With the Rebbe’s Shluchim being a model of dedicated love and concern for the needs of every Jew, countless others were inspired to also dedicate themselves for the benefit of others.100 Shlichus has become a household word in the Jewish world and brought fresh life to the idea that every Jew is inherently a Shliach of G‑d Himself.101 With Shlichus being linked to the fulfillment of Dirah BeTachtonim, one can recognize these developments to be particularly important steps in the preparation for Mashiach.102

Significantly, with Shlichus being a preparation for Mashiach, the Rebbe emphasized that this call applies to men, women, and children.103

In times past, it was uncommon for women to take active public roles. Although Jewish women have always been the primary strength of the home and family, when it came to activities of outreach, women would take a supplementary, supportive role.104

However, in the Rebbe’s Shlichus movement, the entire family unit is his personal emissaries to strengthen Yiddishkeit and care for every Jew.105 The Rebbe specifically highlighted the unique ability of the Shluchos to apply the feminine characteristics of intuitive discernment,106 sensitivity, and warmth in their activities.107

Furthermore, we are taught that the Redemption from the current Exile will be in the merit of the righteous women, similar to the generation of the Exodus from Egypt.108 Understandably, since the Geulah will be in their merit, it follows that they must be specifically empowered to find success in sharing authentic Yiddishkeit and Chassidus to prepare for Mashiach’s arrival.109

Notably, key to the success of Shlichus as a whole, and of the female emissaries in particular, is the manner in which they personify exemplary adherence to Judaism’s time-honored values.110 Establishing a true Jewish home, regardless of the environment, in which they raise their children with the warmth and enthusiasm of Chassidus, makes the most remarkable impression on anyone they encounter. Rather than being a distraction from the mission at hand, their large families become the greatest asset to the Shlichus, providing their communities with a true-to-life example of Jewish family life.111

The Life of a Shliach

Among the guiding principles of Shlichus are the following ideas:

Be Connected: It is human nature to be affected by one’s societal environment. Social expectations and the urge to fit in are among the most powerful forces of influence.112 To be a Shliach is to overcome this condition by being wholly connected to the Meshaleiach.113 The Meshaleiach is trusting the Shliach to remain true to being an influencer rather than being influenced.114 The strength of connection causes the Shliach to feel as if they never left their home base.115

Recognize Your Ability: The Shliach can be confident that they are equipped with everything that is necessary to fulfill their mission. The Meshaleiach invests his all in these missions, and all of the blessings for the success of the Shlichus are already granted at the very outset.116 As with all matters of avodas Hashem,“G‑d only requests according to one’s ability.”117 The more challenging the Shlichus, the more certain one can be that the path is already paved for their success.118

Do Your Part: Every individual has a specific Shlichus, every place has a specific Shlichus, and every time has a specific Shlichus. Utilizing the empowerment of the Meshaleiach, each Shliach is meant to focus on fulfilling their particular Shlichus, in their particular circumstances.119 One’s specific disposition and personality type are never to be seen as a hindrance to one’s mission.120 Instead, the task is to rise to the challenge and direct all of these talents and capabilities in the fulfillment of this purpose.121

Transcend Self-Perfection: Although there is a general principle that “one should correct oneself before one corrects others,”122 the mandate of Shlichus is that we each have the responsibility to assist others, regardless of our personal state.123 Each person has a specific Shlichus which should not be delayed, even for the noble cause of gaining personal perfection.124 Furthermore, authentic personal attainment can only be gained by not overlooking your mission owed to the Jewish People.125

Do Not Let Successes Dampen Your Drive: Remain mission-focused. The ultimate and final Shlichus is to prepare oneself, and the entire world, for the coming of Mashiach.126 “Hafatzas hamaayanos chutzah,” “spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus to the outside” is about causing even the furthest spaces to be fully in sync with the maayan, the original wellspring.127 The mission is not fulfilled until the most unreceptive elements of one’s environment think, speak, and act in full alignment with G‑d and His instructions.128 With the ultimate mission left incomplete, the Shliach does not indulge in their past successes. Pushing onwards, the past accomplishments fuel the next frontier.129

A Last Word

In summary of this chapter, a primary theme of Chassidus is the importance that every person recognizes that they matter and that there is a unique mission for them to fulfill. This mission is both personal, relating to one’s own development of character and positive actions, as well as being a positive influence on others. Each person has something unique to teach that only they can share with those around them.130 Regardless of one’s level of knowledge or personal accomplishment, we each ought to do our part.

As the Rebbe once said:

“Mashiach is coming and there is no time to put off sharing with others. Rush and find another person you can teach. Even if you only know one chapter of Torah, teach that single chapter. If all you know is one letter, teach that single letter. If you know alef, go out to the street and call out alef. Find the Jew who does not know alef, and teach them alef. Never underestimate the power of even one letter of Torah study.”131