Celebrate with Humility

Arrogance is the root of all undesirable traits. How, then, can we allow people to gather here in order to honor an individual?

This gathering is not related at all to any specific person. Rather, it honors the Torah, the activities and goals of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. It comes as a continuation of the efforts begun 200 years ago with the inception of Chabad Chassidism, and before that, with the founding of the Chassidic Movement in general. From the outset it was never about individual personalities—there were merely “carriers” who shouldered the burden. In the words of the Talmud: “It is not rulership I have given you, but servitude”—a Jewish leader is a servant to the people.

“Torah is not in Heaven.” In this world, it depends upon mortal human beings to work together to continue the golden chain of Judaism and carry the Torah forward, making the world a dwelling place for G‑d. Should one insist on “humility,” refusing to be a servant to the people, perhaps avoiding such a gathering, he may save himself from any vestige of arrogance, but at the expense of the dissemination of Torah.