Free translation from a talk of the Rebbe, Purim, 5743 (1983), (excerpt)

One of the concepts mentioned in the very beginning of the Megillah is that all those who attended the feasts of Achashverosh were served “according to every man’s pleasure.” Furthermore, the Talmud explains that the phrase “every man” includes Haman and Mordechai i.e. the two opposite ends of the spectrum and thus, all those who fall between these two extremes.

From the above, we can learn a lesson regarding the manner in which any governmentshould relate to its subjects. In order that every subject in a country can live normally, it is necessary for him to be given freedom to live according to his own desires. What a subject wants is not to be told that he is being given the ultimate good by the government, but rather, to have the ability to choose what he feels is good without anybody forcing him to do anything against his will.

The concept brings up a very painful subject, the situation of our Jewish brethren in Russia who are being forced to remain behind the Iron Curtain against their will. Without questioning whether that country’s economic policies are correct or not, there is no question that its citizens should not be denied a minimality of human rights as guaranteed by that country’s constitution and the U.N. charter which that country signed. Even if their public relations statements were true and, in fact, they granted their citizens the ultimate good, the fact that they are denied a basic human right, the ability to choose whether to remain in the country or not is clearly a negative factor.

Indeed, from a certain perspective, life behind the Iron Curtain can be compared to life in prison. On the surface, there is an advantage to life in a prison over normal civilian life. In a prison, an inmate is given room and board free, whatever medical attention he requires, educational opportunities, etc., while otherwise an individual must work and toil to gain those necessities. Nevertheless, any normal person will desire to live independently rather than in prison. Indeed, according to Jewish law, one must offer a special blessing of thanks after being released from prison. Why? Because a prisoner is no longer in control over his own existence. He does not have the ability to come and go as he desires. Similarly, the fact that our brethren are being held behind the Iron Curtain against their will, even though they may be given the ultimate of good there, is a denial of their basic human rights.

Our Sages taught, “deed is most essential”: The knowledge of the situation of our brethren behind the Iron Curtain should motivate us all to do all that is possible to rectify the situation. Particularly, those who are in a position of authority should do what is possible to arouse public attention concerning the human rights of our brethren there.

A word of caution: No open-handed criticism should be leveled at the Russian government. On the contrary, such criticism will only cause them to stiffen their stance. There is no need to criticize their economic or political policies. Such criticism will only cloud the air and distract the attention from the major problem. Rather, the point should be made that since they pride themselves as being champions of freedom and human rights, it is only fitting that the right to decide on one’s place of residence be granted to their citizens. If this point is emphasized without interjecting other factors, the argument will be most acceptable. If other criticisms are also included, it is possible that the other factors will arouse the most attention and the entire debate will become centered around them. It is natural for a person defending himself to focus on the weakest point made by his attacker. Thus, if other factors are included in the criticism, the Russians will center their reply on them and perhaps, be able to counter their arguments. However, if the emphasis is placed on the right of the Jews to emigrate and no other factors are interjected, there will be no room for rebuttal and then, there is the possibility, and the hope, that the argument will be accepted, at least in part.

In order to effect a change within the context of the natural order in regard to the situation of our brethren in Russia, first we must take a step above the natural order. Afterwards, the merit of that action will enable changes to be possible in regard to that problem. By devoting our energies to the spiritual needs facing our people at present, we will be able to arouse G‑d’s blessing and thus, bring about success in all matters and in particular, success in regard to the problem mentioned above.