Living Torah Archives

Our sages teach that “Jacob never died. As long as ‘Zaro – his seed’ is alive, he too is alive.” What is the significance of the word “zaro – his seed?” “Zaro” can mean “his children,” but it can also mean “what he has sown.”

On the Tenth of Shevat in 1982, the Rebbe delivered an address at a gathering marking thirtytwo years from the passing of this father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.

The third day of Tammuz marks the passing of the Rebbe. Citing Jewish history and texts, the Rebbe demonstrates that a true Jewish leader is always present, and will never leave his flock.

At a wedding, we hear it said that a marriage is “an everlasting edifice.” This holds true even in the face of a tragedy which seems to contradict it.

The Jerusalem Talmud notes that one verse in the Book of Judges states that Samson judged Israel for forty years, while another says he judged them for twenty years.

One might assume that after a tzaddik has ascended on high and experienced unlimited Divine revelation, he would no longer concern himself with matters of this physical world. For the Rebbe, however, such calculations don’t apply.

The customs associated with a yahrzeit are intended to help elevate the soul of the departed. But how does this apply to the soul of a tzaddik, which achieves continuous spiritual elevation on its own merit?

The passing of the righteous seems to be a terrible occurrence. Yet the Torah tells us that the passing of the righteous affects salvation throughout the world and we celebrate the anniversary with a joyous gathering.

The Talmud states: “Our forefather Jacob never died. From where do we know this? From the verse: ‘Fear not, Jacob… for I will save you from afar and your seed from their captivity’ — just as his seed is alive, he too, is alive.” But why only Jacob? Don’t Abraham and Isaac live forever as well?

Torah expects a tzaddik to not be satisfied with his own righteousness; his mission is to influence his fellow Jews to follow G‑d’s path, and to help them become in turn sources of inspiration to others as well.

Today is the anniversary of the passing of my revered father-in-law, the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, on 10 Shevat, 5710 (1950). It is an appropriate time to view this 40-year period in a larger perspective.

A person’s passing seems to be a time of sorrow, not happiness. Yet, we gather on the Rebbe’s Yahrzeit, to increase our energy, enthusiasm, and joy in fulfilling our life’s mission. Torah teaches that, “a greater light comes from darkness.” Torah instructs us to take apparent negativity and darkness, and find in it G-d’s glory, goodness and light.