By Meir Bankhalter

Toward the end of the Rebbe’s very first maamar, Basi L’Gani 5711 – where the Rebbe laid down the mission statement for our generation – the Rebbe discusses the concept of passing away (histalkus), and specifically the passing of tzaddikim.

The idea the Rebbe explains there is as follows:

Although the passing of tzaddikim is even more difficult than the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, it is nevertheless for an incredible and profound purpose. It comes in order to reveal Hashem’s glory and a revelation of elokus throughout all the worlds.

There is something very powerful and empowering that can be implied from this.

I think everyone can agree that our generation has, in a very real sense, fewer revealed tzaddikim and great people than previous generations. This is not, chas v’shalom, to diminish our generation, but rather a simple observation: if you compare us to earlier generations, you find there was an abundance of tzaddikim, neviim, and people on a completely different spiritual level present.

Although at first glance this may sound like something lacking, there is also a profound and empowering message for our generation. It highlights the greatness and strength of the simple Jew.

Yes, previous generations had many revealed tzaddikim and spiritual giants. But perhaps that itself was because they needed them in a more revealed way. They could not do without them. Perhaps without those tzaddikim being visibly present with them, they would not have been able to withstand the challenges of galus and serve Hashem properly in those earlier times.

Perhaps the message the Rebbe is telling us in that very first maamar is that we have the strength! We have been given the powers and abilities to complete the mission ourselves.

As the Rebbe famously said in the sicha of Chof Ches Nissan 5751, “I have done all that I can do. Now I am handing it over to you.”

This is especially apparent after Gimmel Tammuz. We cannot see or hear the Rebbe in a revealed way. Yes, it is painful and difficult, and it is deeply challenging. But at the same time, the Rebbe is giving us strength and telling us that we can do it.

Perhaps we no longer have revealed tzaddikim standing in front of us, guiding every step in an open way. But we have been given the tools, and now it is our time to shine! No one else, outside of each individual and their own service, will do this work for us.

Everything needs to be real within us! – not only something external where we follow instructions that were given to us from above. It has to go deeper. It must come from within, from inner essence.

We are the seventh generation! We are the ones who will complete the task of drawing down the Shechina into this world!

Perhaps the fact that there are fewer revealed tzaddikim is not because we are lacking, but because Hashem knows that we are capable of carrying this responsibility. It is something that earlier generations could not have been tasked with in the same way.

Obviously, the Rebbe has not left us. The Rebbe is with us, more than ever. But the Rebbe is waiting for us, the simple Jews, to complete the mission.

This is the power of a simple Jew!

It is up to us to reach as many Jews as we can and to bring the world to its completion as a dwelling place for the Eibershter, may it be very soon, amen.