Living Torah Archives

The Twelfth and Thirteenth of Tammuz marks the release of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Scheersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, from Soviet imprisonment. His self-sacrifice on behalf of Jews of all stripes serves as a testament to the true nature of leadership.

The verse states: “He gave his own bread to the destitute.” The Talmud explains that this refers to Moses giving the Torah to the Jewish people. But every word of the verse is precise:

The definition of a true Jewish leader is not his lofty personal level, as the head and soul of the people. Rather, that he is able to descend and relate to “the body,” to each of his students and followers on their own level.

The verse states: “He gave his own bread to the destitute.” The Talmud explains that this refers to Moses giving the Torah to the Jewish people. But every word of the verse is precise..

Every person is expected to become a ‘ruler’ over his surroundings – to make it a proper dwelling place for G-d. At first, a person is ruler only over himself. Later, he becomes ‘ruler’ and leader of his family. Then he goes on to become a leader in his community and so on. At each stage he must accustom himself to place the new majority’s needs before the previous “individual’s” needs.

Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Dr. Jonathan Sacks highlights some unique aspects of the Rebbe’s leadership.

On the 19th of Kislev 5559 (November 27, 1798) the founder of Chabad Chasidism was released from prison after being falsely accused of treason. A Jewish leader sacrifices his own standing to find every Jew in need of guidance and ensure that they receive it.