In light of New York City’s mayoral election results, which raise many questions and concerns, the following sicha of the Rebbe carries striking relevance.

In 5729 (1969), as the city prepared for a mayoral election that likewise raised concern among frum Jews, the Rebbe spoke about a time when both major political parties had conspired to redraw neighborhood lines in a way that would harm Jewish institutions. Despite assurances from legal experts that the situation was hopeless, the Rebbe insisted that efforts must be made nonetheless, guided by faith, principle, and confidence that “gelt vet nit felen” and that justice would ultimately prevail.

The eventual overturning of that unjust plan, in a most unexpected and miraculous way, became a lesson that remains timeless: even when the natural order and political powers appear aligned against what is right, persistence rooted in Torah and trust in Hashem, the King of Kings, can overturn decrees and enable Jews everywhere to live peacefully and securely, without disruption, and to learn Torah and fulfill mitzvos properly.

Here are the Rebbe’s words from Shabbos Parshas Shemini 5729 (1969):

The Rebbe, my father-in-law, once told me – in connection with an open miracle that I witnessed by him and told him I wished to publicize it – that the concept of osiyos u’mofsim (signs and miracles) belongs only in Mitzrayim!

However – as I told him at the time – we can see in practice that there are still Jews, “di alte yidden” (the old Jews), who are in such a spiritual state that when they hear about an open miracle, it truly awakens and inspires them, strengthening their Torah and Yiddishkeit.

Therefore, I will tell you the following story. Although it involved an open miracle of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, and happened through me, I will not be embarrassed to share it – because others can learn from it how to conduct themselves in similar matters.

At that time – it was during the elections between the two parties, the Democrats and the Republicans – the parties decided to divide the neighborhoods in a way that would harm frum institutions, such as shuls and yeshivos.

When I heard about this, I said that we must try to prevent it, because it was against fairness and justice, against the Constitution itself. Even if it would require financial expense – as we say, “gelt vet nit feln” (money will not be lacking) – we must act.

They told me that influencing this was possible only if the initiative came from one party alone, while the other party was neutral or on our side. But since this was a joint plan of both parties, they said it was impossible to change anything.

Nevertheless, some Jews – afraid that perhaps “Lubavitch” would try to act on this – asked certain judges and lawyers, friends of theirs, to notify us that “it’s already too late; nothing can be done.” They sent messengers to deliver that message – but none were willing to actually get involved to help!

I said they should nevertheless try, even if it seemed pointless – and so they did, purely out of kabbalas ol, though logic gave them no reason to hope. As is common, the activist arrived half an hour late – after the legal deadline to file the appeal.

And yet – an open miracle occurred. Someone else, completely unrelated, had already filed a similar appeal, which made his filing still effective and accepted.

Even more: when he had to go to the courthouse, he arrived fifteen minutes after the doors had officially closed – and again, a miracle happened: they opened the door for one last person, and he slipped in as well!

In practice, although they didn’t succeed in achieving everything they wanted, they still accomplished something – and the situation did not remain as before.

Some time later, I noticed that the person who had worked on this began avoiding me. When I asked why, I was told that he was embarrassed because he had “failed” in the case – despite having put in great effort and even spending money, in connection with the Rebbe’s work, and he didn’t want to show his face since the result wasn’t a complete success.

This went on for about seven or eight months.

Then, about a week ago, news arrived that the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington had intervened in the matter and completely overturned the previous arrangement – ruling that it was indeed against justice, fairness, and the Constitution, and ordering that new district boundaries be drawn.

This was truly an open miracle of my father-in-law, the Rebbe – because it came milmaalah, completely from Above, without any further effort on our part. Normally, the Supreme Court never intervenes in such cases, especially not after both parties had already agreed and signed – since “ein achar ma’aseh beis din klum” (nothing can overturn a final judgment). Yet the situation was changed milmaalah.

Among the Chassidim of Polin (Polish Chassidim), they would have made a whole celebration out of this – “a gantzen tummel” – but Lubavitchers tend to be calmer about such things… and therefore they’re sometimes embarrassed to talk about it.

But this isn’t a story that happened long ago – it’s something that occurred just days ago, a clear miracle of our Rebbe, Nesi Doreinu, that happened through his emissaries.

The reason I am sharing this is – as mentioned earlier – to demonstrate that even in situations where, according to nature, there seems to be no possibility of success, when one insists and persists with determination and strength, one can indeed accomplish something – until even those who originally opposed it will find themselves needing to come to Lubavitch for help.

We must, of course, follow the natural course and use our intellect – but the success of the effort comes directly from Hashem.

And the main thing: that Jews everywhere should be able to live peacefully and securely, without disruption, to learn Torah and fulfill mitzvos properly.