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Mission: U.S.A.

Farbreng, Episode 7

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Mission: U.S.A.: Farbreng, Episode 7

Why the Rebbe didn’t go to the holy land of Israel even for just a visit. (From “Messages”—Season 2, Episode 7)

Topics:

Lubavitcher Rebbe, Aliyah, Israel

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19 Comments

Rabbi Shmary Brownstein Chabad.org June 3, 2013

To Ron Sharpe The Rebbe's caution about going to visit the Land of Israel was specifically due to its sanctity and connection to the Jewish people, such that once a Jew is there, it is forbidden to leave. Other countries may be visited without them laying any claim to the visitor. As far as the Rebbe is concerned, he did not visit any countries or even other cities during all his years of leading Chabad. However, he did send many people to live in Israel, and gave his blessing to many more to move there or to visit. Reply

Michelle Andre cc May 23, 2013

Have Faith in Hashem Keep our Faith in Hashem and all will work out in the End! All in G-d's time! Rebbe is so Close to G-d and still inspires G-dliness to this day!

When I think of the Rebbe I feel a light that shines! Reply

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org May 23, 2013

Re: Simche Wecker Indeed, you are correct, there is a mistake in the English subtitles. The person cites the Sefer Hamitzvot of the Ramban (Nachmanides), not Maimonides. Maimonides actually omits this Mitzvah as Nachmanides points out on the Sefer Hamitzvot of the Rambam positive Mitzvah 4. Reply

Ron Sharpe, a Zionist and Patriotic Jew from Australia May 18, 2013

Contradiction ?! The Rebbe often alluded to his belief that until the Moshiach comes there can be no `officially` recognized `State of Israel`. Therefore Halachah is not applicable in this case, since according to the Rebbe, Israel the home land of the Jewish people does not yet exist. The Rebbe, I assume, thought he could visit France, Italy, Australia and return to the US , so why not no man's land -which 14 Million other Jews call Israel, our Promised Land. Reply

Menachem Ben Yakov Yerushalayim May 12, 2013

Many Jews stayed in Egypt While The Rebbe was indeed the Captain and responsible for thousands many Jews, however many Torah observant Jews, look for any excuse to remain in Galut. To claim that remaining in America instills a strength greater than the that of participation in national service in Israel turns logic and reason on its head. To truly live a Jew must build his life in Eretz Yisroel. For The Rebbe remaining in America was a great sacrifice justified by his lofty position but it was a sacrifice nonetheless. Reply

Rabbi Shmary Brownstein Chabad.org May 12, 2013

Israel's Holidays Chabad does not tell others what to put on their calendars, so I don't see how that is a display of a belief that the Chabad understanding is the only one. It would seem that to expect someone to act in a way that is contrary to their understanding of Halachah expresses an attitude of there being only one right way. More importantly, Chabad as an organization generally does not decide Halachah, but accepts the decisions of the major contemporary authorities regarding the issues of the day. The same is true here. Reply

zalman ch May 11, 2013

impressive talk really appreciated the scene at the end, job well done!

chasidim farbrenging with their rebbe, in a real life way. Reply

Anonymous Cc May 9, 2013

Shepard I believe that the Rebbi felt he could not abandon his people and his job on Earth was to reunite his people outside the promised land! Could it be the Rebbi was out gathering lost Jews no man left behind? How selfless! He worried about all Jews! Amen! Reply

Susan Cohen Myrtle Beach, SC May 9, 2013

Amazing video Thank you to all involved in this outstanding video. As an observant supporter of Lubavitch with a limited knowledge of Torah, this video really clarified the Rebbe and the Lubavitch community's position on Israel. This video would be a wonderful program for all Chabad Houses in the United States and Canada to show on a large screen with the Rabbi leading a discussion for their community on the Lubavitch support for Israel. It could be a real groundbreaker to help bring secular Jews closer to Yiddishkeit and help to bring Moshiach NOW! May we soon dance with Moshiach in Yerushalayim. Reply

Simche Wecker Bet Shemsh Israel May 9, 2013

Nachmanides The man in the film asked The Rebbe about the fourth positive mitzvah of the Ramban, Nachmanides who says it is a mitzvah to live in Israel (the translation is incorrect).
Nachmanides affirms that it is positive mitzvah for all time. Maimonides does not include the mitzvah of settling Israel in the 613 mitvahs. Reply

Anonymous israel May 9, 2013

America vs Israel I see in various Jewish magazines all the wonderful stories about the institutions being built and the learning that is going on

However, America is not Israel and we need for you for every Yid to be here not there true we are in exile here as well but we need the strength of demographics and living in the land. The Jews in Germany and France are fooling themselves into thinking they are safe. History always repeats itself and the hatred has not abated and disappeared they should leave now before the anshluss begins again...

Sorry to be pessimistic, to me this is reality.

The Rebbe a'h did what he did for the best reasons but this is a new generation and different circumstances from when he was alive. Reply

Bob Van Wagner Washington Crossing May 8, 2013

The reason for America To heal the slumped over and learn to stand up with self-confidence? Maybe.

Perhaps there's a clue in the very name "America". After all, as names of important places go, it is a name that came about most strangely. I've come to think that America is the place bold to break things in the righteous hope they can be made better the after repair or redo, while still managing to miraculously keep the core essence. Before America, when things broke they stayed broke. Thus a people were always slumped over despairing refugees at some point. Reply

Anonymous Ross-on-Wye May 8, 2013

FAO Anonymous Every event is for a reason and the reason is always good - it's up to us whether we want to see that good or not. The question then is: what is the good that has to be learnt from each of the episodes in the exile - including the current one in the US? Reply

Bob Freedman (Rueven be Moshe) Bethlehem PA May 8, 2013

Being Granted a Word with the Rebbe I once waited well into the early hours of the next day--after a Farbrengen where I was able to make a l'chaim to the Rebbe--to receive a brief, wonderful note of encouragement ... and this manufacturer keeps interrupting the Rebbe, even lecturing him on a commandment. If this comment amount to lashon hora, then please delete my comment; however, when one goes to an authority (on any subject) it is a very basic rule
of etiquette to listen to what that authority has to say before interrupting him or her.

I thoroughly enjoy the "Roundtable" discussions. Reply

Judy Freed Israel May 8, 2013

The Rebbe on the question of coming to Israel The Rebbe gave his own variation of the stock reply of Diaspora Jewish leaders since the establishment of the State of Israel. That if he left to live in Israel, who would lead the community he leaves behind? As has been pointed out, The Rebbe sent many of his Hasidim to live in Israel. After all, they are the younger generation and have a longer life ahead of them to effect change and influence people. His own life was spent leading the Jewish community in New York and his influence had spread throughout America and the world from that base. If he left, he would have lost much of that influence, and he did not have any obvious successor that he could leave in charge. He felt that he had to lead his community for as long as he could. One might consider that a failing on his part, that he never named a successor despite the fact that he knew that someday he would no longer be around. If there had been an heir, he may have felt freer to come to Israel and stay. Reply

Anonymous May 7, 2013

I don't mind the Rebbe's refusal to visit Israel. What infuriates me is the fact that the Chabbad calendar doesn't show Israel's holidays. I respect many of Chabbad's undertakings in preserving Jewish people. However, their belief that the Chabbad way of understanding the Hallaha is the only right way tells me that they don't have the humility necessary to follow in God's ways. Reply

Anonymous May 7, 2013

around 20:28 All is understood and accepted until around 20:28 - where/why does Rabbi Manis Friedman say what he did? Is there something in the Talmud, the misdrashim, sources from Torah sages of past that give hint at what he said? Confused here. Reply

motty canadfa May 7, 2013

of course the Rebbe supported israel; said the soldiers to put on tefillin in 1967.
chabad.org/multimedia/timeline_cdo/aid/514850/jewish/400000-Put-On-Tefillin.htm Reply

suzy handler woodland hills, ca May 7, 2013

The rabbi didn't go to Israel I loved the story. I went to Israel and will never forget the wonderful experience--Volunteers for Israel. I stay a month on an army base. I couldn't wait to go to Masada. However, I drank the water and spent more time in the hospital than I did on the army base. Still, when I think about the Wall and the Friday night Shabbats, I long to return one more time. The camel ride was exciting. I hope you write more about Israel. Reply

Mission: U.S.A.: Farbreng, Episode 7

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