The Rebbe’s Impact On Religion In America

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson also referred to as the “Lubavitcher Rebbe” and sometimes just “the Rebbe,” was the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty and is considered to be one of the most important rabbis in modern history. During his lifetime, he had a significant impact on Jewish religious life as well as religious life in America in general. Using his unique approach of outreach and emphasis on education, the Rebbe helped with many religious challenges faced during his lifetime. He was very responsible for stirring the conscience and spiritual awakening of world Jewry in America after World War II. Born in Russia in 1902, the Rebbe excelled in religious studies as a child, and by the time of his Bar Mitzvah, the community had identified him as a Torah prodigy (Chabad.org, 2019).

The Rebbe escaped the Holocaust with his wife, Chaya Mushka Schneerson and immigrated to America where they met his father in law who had earlier immigrated into America. Ten years later, the Rebbe formally accepted the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch, becoming the seventh Lubavitch Rebbe after the death of the sixth Rebbe who was his father in law. The Previous Rebbe had already begun introducing the Chabad movement to America. Now as the new Lubavitcher Rebbe, he took over and continued with the work of his father in law.

The name 'Chabad' is a Hebrew acronym for Chochmah, Binah, Da'at: 'Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge. The entire philosophy of this movement called Chabad is based on these three things (Steinsaltz, 2014). The Chabad philosophy teaches us all about the creation of the world and our purpose and mission for being. The philosophy of Chabad guides a person to refine his character and personality traits in accordance with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

The challenge that faced the Jews in America at this time was unique. While Jews had suffered many years of persecution and suffering, now in the land of abundant freedom, their Jewish identity began to slip. While back in Europe, Jews had to literally sacrifice their lives in order to stand up for and practice their religion, now in America no one was testing them, and they were able to live in freedom. However, this caused the Jews to have no sense of responsibility or pride in their Judaism and many Jewish people began to give in to the temptations that the free and non-repressive life in America now offered. This meant that religious Jewish life in America was at a threat and intermarriage was becoming more frequent (Eliezrie, 2015).

The opportunity for wealth and freedom was an irresistible temptation for the Jewish people who had fled from Europe. They arrived in America to give their families a carefree and abundant life. This took precedence over anything else, and lead to many people beginning to work on Shabbos if it meant making more money and getting a regular job. Women began dressing less modestly and the men started trimming their beards. Eventually, many of the Jews who had once held themselves in high precedence back in Europe were leaving their religious Jewish lives in the past.

The Lubavitch Rebbe stepped in. He realized the spiritual survival of Judaism in the free world was at stake and had to be saved. The Rebbe wanted to ensure that religious freedom in America would not be a reason to turn from the Jewish tradition, but rather use religious freedom as a chance for spiritual growth and uprise. (Branover, 2003)

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Jewish life in America needed to be rekindled. The Rebbe began meeting with individuals through private meetings (yechidus) and letters. Several nights per week the Rebbe met with one person after another, often until past four in the morning. Sack loads of mail were delivered to his office each day, and thirty volumes of his replies have been published to date. It was the Rebbe’s unique style of leadership. He invested in each individual, helping each of those in need. He spoke to each person according to his or her needs and station, extending welcoming acceptance and challenging stimulation. As a result, bringing many people closer to their religious identity. (Touger and Touger, 1994)

On a larger scale, the Rebbe knew that to touch each individual he would need help from his Chabad followers. The Rebbe began sending out personal messengers, shluchim, all around America and across the world. The Chabad messengers would open up a “Chabad House”. Literally, a house was opened to the public, providing food, a place to sleep and hang out. The idea was to have Jews of the town come in and feel comfortable with Chabad Rabbi and his wife. They would talk, learn, and try to bring Jewish people close to where they would feel a connection to their Judaism.

Today, there are thousands of shluchim and Chabad Houses around the world in almost every country and state. The Rebbe did not seek to avoid assimilation by trying to cut the Jewish people totally off from the outside world. Instead, with his shluchim, he encouraged everyone to lead other Jews into their way of life. The impact the Rebbe and his emissaries have made on religious lives around the world is indescribable (Eliezrie, 2015).

He saw the importance of spreading religious life in America by not just limited to Jewish religious life. The Rebbe had a unique focus on making the world a better place by promoting acts of goodness and kindness impacting the religious life in America as a whole. In the 1980s the Lubavitcher Rebbe began a campaign to promote the observance of the seven Noahide laws — those biblical commandments believed to be universally applicable in the entire population. The Rebbe encouraged Jews to publicize the teachings to create a conducive and safe place for everyone.

After realizing the extraordinary role of the Rebbe in providing spiritual and moral guidance for both Jews and Non-Jews, American administrations sought his advice on both local and global issues. The Rebbe emphasized to them the essence of leaders using religious values in their leadership and he recognized the extraordinary influence of the office of the American president on global issues such as conversation of environment and enhancing global peace. (Freeman, 2017)

The Rebbe also greatly valued women and he focused on their role not only in their families but also in society. In his teaching, The Rebbe emphasized that the woman is the priority of the household and she decides what should come in or leave. The Rebbe understood that for him to instill Jewish values in homes, the woman had to be the frontline in encouraging Judaism in her house since she has a huge influence in the house. For Instance, during the Lubavitch Women’s Organization convection in 1980, the Rebbe in a letter addressed to the women stated that they were the candle lighters of the souls of all the Jewish. He stated that the woman was given the privilege and mitzvah (commandment) to always light the candles during all Jewish festivals including holy Shabbat. The Rebbe wrote that by playing the role of a mother and being the first person in a child’s life, a woman should play the role of lighting up the souls of infants so that as kids they would grow up lighting their souls on their own. The Rebbe would personally encourage women to bring up their children and families in ways that abide by Torah life and Mitzvot. In so doing, if every woman helped light up the souls in her home, the women would not only make sure that they lit the souls of their families but also the whole house of Israel in accordance to the design and desire of God. (Steinsaltz, 2014)

The Rebbe greatly influenced many people in his lifetime and he helped the Jews in America to continue observing their religious beliefs. He enhanced the growth of Judaism not only in America but also all over the World and even after his death, his legacy still remain because of his huge influence in Judaism and religion as a whole. People all over the world continue using his teachings since they have huge moral guidance to those who use them. Even in his death, the Rebbe continues to have many followers who believe in him since his teachings are still used in the Jewish and not Jewish Education system and his legacy and impact will continue to live on forever.

References

1. Chabad.org. (2019). The Rebbe: A Brief Biography. Retrieved from https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/244372/jewish/The-Rebbe-A-Brief-Biography.
2. Eliezrie, D. (2015). The Secret of Chabad. Jerusalem, Israel: The Toby Press LLC.
3. Freeman, T. (2017). The Rebbe Who Had No Box - How the Rebbe taught us to ride the waves of modernity. Retrieved from https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/1881778/jewish/The-Rebbe-Who-Had-No-Box.htm
4. Steinsaltz, Adin. (2014) My Rebbe. Jerusalem, Israel: Maggid Books.A. E.-I.
5. Telushkin, J. (2014) Rebbe. Brooklyn, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
6. Touger, E. and Touger, M. (1994). To Know and to Care. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Sichos in English.