“What Will Be With Lubavitch?”

It is only normal and natural that when the calendar tells us that it is nearing 30 years since Gimmel Tammuz 5754, the heart begins to ask the obvious question: “What will be?” Article by Rabbi Gershon Avtzon.

By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon – Cincinnati, Ohio

It is only normal and natural that when the calendar tells us that it is nearing 30 years since Gimmel Tammuz 5754 – no matter how one views and feels about that date – that the heart begins to ask the obvious question: “What will be?” 

I would like to share two stories (of many), where the Rebbe addressed the question and which will show us the right approach for dealing with this question in our own lives.

The first story: In 5710-1950, Chabad Chassidus was facing an existential dilemma. The Frierdike Rebbe was nistalek on Yud Shevat and the Rebbe refused to assume the mantle of leadership. Chassidim begged, pleaded and wrote heartfelt letters to the Rebbe in which they beseech him to have mercy on them and accept the Nesius, but to no avail. 

One particular Chassid, Reeb Avraham Pariz, who was exceptionally close to the Rebbe, wrote a very passionate letter in which he expresses two points: 1) Various reasons and proofs that the Rebbe should accept the Nesius 2) That if the Rebbe continues to refuse the requests of Chassidim then “what will be with Lubavitch”?

Regarding the first point, the Rebbe responded (Igros volume 3 page 308 #615): “And [as to] what you write concerning me: Of what use is your writing? I do not possess [those qualities]. For myself, I don’t need any allusions and explanations. It is sufficient for me to contemplate briefly my level and situation to know my status. And so, what can another person change with proofs and intellectual [explanations]?”

Regarding the second point, which is the focus of this article, the Rebbe continued: “What will be? What do I know? What the Rebbe is thinking is his responsibility; he will surely take care of it. How? I don’t know. There are other things that I also don’t know.”

The second story: The year was 1974. Israel was just beginning to recover from the devastating Yom Kippur war in which close to 3,000 Israelis were killed, and over 9,000 were wounded. The then Chief Rabbi of North Tel Aviv, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, had journeyed to New York to visit the  Rebbe and seek his advice.

During the course of their conversation, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Lau what was the mood “in the streets of Israel,” after having faced such a challenging war.” Rabbi Lau told the Rebbe that the Jews were asking each other, Vos vet zein? “What will be?” 

The Rebbe immediately grabbed Rabbi Lau’s arm and emphatically said to him, “Yiden fregen nit vos vet zein? Zei fregen, Vos geit men ton? “Jews don’t ask, ‘What will be?’ We ask, ‘What are we going to do?’’

These two stories show us the dual-responses that the Rebbe expects us to have – and internalize – to the enormous question of “what will be?”. On the one hand, we must be assured that the Rebbe – as the Moshe Rabbeinu of the generation and the faithful shepherd of the generation – certainly did not forsake his loyal flock. The Rebbe has a vision and a mission and the Rebbe will certainly be successful in the mission. 

It is obvious that it has been decided and agreed upon by the Rebbe – as everything that happens to a Rebbe is with his agreement – that for the success of the special mission of our generation (the mission to bring the Geula!) we would need to go through this period of concealment and confusion. It should not be shocking to us that we do not understand the ways of the Rebbe and we should be able to honestly tell ourselves: “ What the Rebbe is thinking is his responsibility; he will surely take care of it. How? I don’t know. There are other things that I also don’t know.”

At the same time, we must not be complacent with the current situation – and sit back and say that the Rebbe will take care of the situation – and we must challenge ourselves to do something about the terrible concealment and darkness.

The realization that the Rebbe’s mission and vision will be actualized – even if we do not understand the process – should inspire us to want to be a partner in the mission . This is accomplished by demanding of ourselves to do more in our commitment to Yiddishkeit and our commitment to share the light of Torah and Chassidus with all those around us. We must go out to the world with the Rebbe’s message and prophecy about the coming of Moshiach. 

When we, inevitably, encounter Yidden that seem down and despondent and about the current events of the world, we must share with them the Rebbe’s message: “Jews don’t ask, ‘What will be?’ We ask, ‘What are we going to do?’’

Let’s get going!

“May we be privileged to see and meet with the Rebbe here in this world, in a physical body, in this earthly domain — and he will redeem us!”

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by sending me a personal email: [email protected]