06/19/2026
I miss the Rebbe a little less!
Rabbi Chaim Bruk
This week, in which we commemorated the Rebbe’s 32nd Yahrzeit, I was called by a Bozeman Health chaplain to visit a Jewish woman in the Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. She was struggling emotionally/mentally but due to drug addiction, family discord and homelessness, she’s also struggling with physical health challenges. This week we also had the honor of sponsoring dinner for a group of IDF soldiers (first group of two) who are spending time in Montana’s wilderness recovering from the trauma of war. Great Falls’ Shluchim, Rabbi Mendel and Devorah Leah Spiero, welcomed them to Big Sky Country and in addition to feeding their bodies, Reb Mendel also helped many of them lay Tefillin before heading into the backwoods.
The Rebbe role modeled love for us.
In this week’s Torah portion, Korach, G-d tells Moses to take a staff from each of the twelve tribes, with the name of each tribe’s prince/leader written on their staff. Another staff was taken to represent the tribe of Levi with Aaron’s name written on it. The thirteen staves were placed overnight in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle. Next morning they were removed, and miraculously Aaron’s staff had budded with almond blossoms and almonds, providing further proof that Aaron was G-d’s choice for High Priest. What’s interesting is that in the morning when it was time to wrap up the test, the verse says “Moses took out all the staffs from before God to all the Israelites. They saw, and each man took his staff”. Why do we need to know that they each took their staff back? My friend Reb Avrum Kaufmann shared with me that perhaps the Torah is teaching us that it’s not enough to celebrate the High Priesthood of Aaron, we must also take our staff, our own unique personality and talents, and utilize them to share Hashem with the world.
I remember the Rebbe’s illness, I remember his passing, I remember his funeral and the Shiva that followed; for many years Gimmel Tammuz was, for me, a day of mourning, waiting for the twenty-four painful hours to pass. Yet, this isn’t the case anymore. With each passing year I miss the Rebbe a little less, and yet I feel him more and more. I can live in the past, it’s warm and safe, but thirty-two years later I am not there anymore. I celebrate my memories, I cherish my twelve years spent with the Rebbe, but mostly, I spend my time focused on bringing his invaluable teachings to all who will listen and to shine the light that he entrusted me with to everyone in my circle. It’s not enough to be impressed by Aaron, the moment demands that we grab our staff and lead the way for those seeking Hashem’s light.
Nafshi Chomdah Betzeil Yodecha!
May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!
