Dear Friend,

This week, on the 11th day of Nissan (Thursday night, April 7–Friday, April 8), we celebrate the 115th anniversary of the birth of our beloved Rebbe, of righteous memory.

The Rebbe would speak about the long-awaited redemption of our people using two terms: collective redemption and personal redemption.

Our prophets and sages tell us what the redemption of our entire people will look like: When Moshiach will come, there will be no war or hatred. All peoples of the world will live in peace and harmony. The very ether will be filled with love and awareness of G‑d’s presence.

Definitely a world we can yearn for.

But what exactly is “personal redemption”? What is it supposed to look or feel like?

To be personally redeemed means to apply the same global yearnings and ideals to our own “micro” selves. Personal redemption means that our own little world should harbor no more conflict, jealousy or resentment. It means nurturing an outlook that engenders love inside of our selves toward all of G‑d’s creations. And a state of mind in which we are constantly aware of G‑d’s presence in our lives.

So, how do we achieve this? The Rebbe advised that we begin by studying Torah texts that tell us what the era of Moshiach will look like. We can then work to mirror that in our own lives.

May this Passover, the “Festival of our Freedom,” bring with it true liberation and freedom, both micro and macro.

Mendy Kaminker,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team