Joint Mission

Excerpts from the Rebbe’s inaugural farbrengen in 1951

The Talmud teaches: “A tzaddik decrees and G‑d complies.” Even more so: “G‑d decrees, and the tzaddik nullifies.” A tzaddik has this power even after his passing, for “the righteous are even greater in death than in life.” Therefore, although in general twelve months after the passing the last vestiges of the soul are forced to leave this world, this does not apply to the souls of tzaddikim. They have the choice to stay wherever they see fit for the sake of their love of G‑d, their love of Torah, and their love of the Jewish people . . .

My father-in-law, the Rebbe, said that love of G‑d, love of Torah and love of every Jew are one single essence; you cannot separate them. If you want to attain love of G‑d, it is not enough, and it will not last, without love of Torah and without love of every Jew . . .

The rebbes of Chabad demanded that their chassidim take personal action—not to rely upon the rebbe, and certainly not to rely upon a rebbe’s son-in-law. If I’m able to help, I will certainly help. But the mission which the Rebbe gave each of you, you must carry out with your entire being, with all your body and all your soul . . .