07/08/2024
As I sit here, on the eve of Gimmel Tammuz (3rd of Tammuz, marking the day of passing from this physical world of The Rebbe) taking a moment to pause and reflect.
I am pulled in many directions, my soul , mind and heart all bubbling over with words they want to say.
I struggle to decipher between my personal emotions, my communal ones, my thoughts in the micro and macro, and my soul aching and longing for truth, revealed good and godliness to permeate the world already! And END to the Golus , or exile in english.
Right before the Jewish New year, Rosh Hashana, I took stock, I stopped to think about what I pray for, hope to achieve and envision the year to look like.
I share a feeling , I think , as do the entire Jewish people - I was not ready for what GOD had in store for us. Or at least I did not feel ready.
This past week, one of my dear friends lost her mother suddenly, a young woman of 62. I have spent the week with her , and at the same time I feel as though my soul cannot cope with more sorrow, pain, anguish, death and loss. It feels like it’s all I have been doing for 9 long months.
My own mother sent me a somber text when I let her know of the recent tragedy. “It seems the call of the hour is to visit shiva houses”.
Many hours of the day I want to let myself sink into that sadness.
Then I turn my thoughts inwards ,and upwards. It’s a constant battle of the souls. To CHOOSE light, life and focus hard on the positive.
Those choices are motivated by The Rebbe. Everyday, every moment, when I CHOOSE to see the godliness in a person, in the world, in an experience. When I CHOOSE to shift my perspective towards my purpose - adding in light, everywhere, at every moment.
None of us would be connected if not for The Rebbe’s vision of light. Let that sink in, I wouldn’t know you, there would be no chabad house, the ripple effects in your life as a result of your Jewish experiences on campus or off campus would not have happened.
The Rebbe looks at you- and sees your soul, your godly infinite light. The Rebbe looks at the world, that feels like it's falling apart sometimes, and sees LIGHT, HOPE, GODLINESS!
Tonight and tomorrow are very auspicious, powerful hours- lets use them to CHOOSE light, to reaffirm our purpose in the world and regroup.
If you can- visit the resting place of the Rebbe, “The Ohel” in Queens NY.
If you cannot- take a moment to write a letter to The Rebbe.
Take another moment to learn a teaching by The Rebbe- and let it sink it.
https://www.ohelchabad.org/?lang=en
The Rebbe doesn’t belong to anyone- he is the leader of the Jewish people and a great leader of the world at large, his wisdom and guidance are ones we need everyday and more than ever now.
L'chaim,
May we all be light, add light
And finally transform this world.
Dalia
