Read a remarkable poem by Rabbi Shmuly Hecht of Chabad Okanagan, on how the Rebbe and his teachings have transformed him into a lamppost lighting up the darkness of coronavirus.
By Rabbi Shmuel Hecht for Anash.org
Long ago, when I just started on my way,
There was light,
I felt Joy,
It was a time I called day.
Naturally though as it does over time,
Darkness arrived,
It was a time I called night.
I sat down to think.
There must be a way to continue on this street,
despite all the darkness that I’m starting to meet?
After a while, I picked up my head.
I saw a lamppost.
All around it there was light.
There was peace.
There was joy.
Even in the middle of such a dark and dreadful night.
Near the lamp,
it felt just like day,
Like back when I started to go on my way.
I spent some time, in his sparkling light,
and then continued going because it was bright.
The sun was shining, a new day appeared,
For a very long time,
The goodness of light,
Was getting so bright,
There was no night in sight
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But all of a sudden a night descended,
The day that was forever seemed to have ended
The darkness I saw made me feel low,
It seemed it may dim every last glow,
But right there near me, that lamppost I greet,
Amidst all the darkness a light in the street,
Standing so firm and shining so bright,
One who was weak found strength
at his feet
When I stood there in awe of that lamppost that night,
He told me a secret he thought I would like,
You’re just like me he started to say
Just turn on your light and make the night bright,
The darkness will leave,
without any fight
When people despair because darkness appeared,
You know what I do?
I just shine from up here!
With love and with care, all you must do,
Is stand where you are
And shine light around you
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Then lo and behold,
It was raining,
And hailing,
And totally draining,
A night had arrived
That was not in my training,
If I told you what happened it would bring you to tears,
It was a night we haven’t seen for thousands of years,
Where’s that lamppost? I can’t see it anymore,
Have the heavens shattered?
I hear a loud roar,
There’s screaming and yelling it’s chaos once more!
The storm is so strong, where’d that lamppost go?
Wasn’t he here when the storm first did blow?
And then it lit me!
That secret last night!
Your life on this street was given to you,
For one reason only,
Don’t get confused
Goodness and light must come from you,
To light up the night and spirits renew,
If darkness appears,
You know just what to do!
I wiped off the tears,
Put a smile on my face
I let my light shine,
Where people come and pace,
All over the streets,
Where my post divinely was placed
Oh that bold lamppost,
You’re light I now see,
All because of a decision that I made in me,
The fog was just blocking,
You never left me really,
You lifted me up with such wisdom and patience,
With sensitivity and love,
being so gracious
You just showed me MY light,
And told me to shine,
Instead of pointing out every problem of mine
Now I can see,
All kinds of lamps
Shining their light
Lifting spirits that damped
Feelings of joy,
As more lampposts glow
The numbers are growing,
Statistics they show
With our efforts I see,
7 billion lamps,
Brightening this night,
With trillions of amps
It’ll outdo the virus
It’ll banish all pain
Until there is no more night,
Because of our light
It will be bright,
Forever.
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In a few weeks we commemorate the Rebbe’s yahrtzeit, on the 3rd of Tammuz.
My beloved living lamppost.
The Rebbe’s teachings are my greatest light. For me, I’ve never read anything that keeps me so connected, so positive and so invigorated as much as the Rebbe’s teachings do. For me, they’re literally like the generators of our generation. They are living cells of light and divinity. In them anyone can find the Rebbe.
They continue to shine their awesome light, which lifts so many up, especially now in the darkest of nights.
Rebbe, your teachings are unifying, and bringing together our world in such a great way.
The lampposts you sent, continue to shine, without bend.
I know how proud you are of us now.
You always remind us that every single human being on this planet has light. We each contain a spark of G-d Almighty’s infinite light.
You tirelessly encourage us to focus on the good, and as often as possible, only on it we should.
You remind us of how much we are loved by our Father in heaven, and what an important role every single one of us was given.
You help every person be the shining lamppost they need to become.
And to shine often.
We’re doing it now more than ever.
And we’ll continue to become stronger and better together.
We’re looking forward, with anticipation, to the day that we’ll soon be together, with you.
When it will be daytime and light forever.
For all.
Soon.
Very soon.