This week’s Torah portion speaks about the infamous
rebellion of Korach. Korach, a bright, talented and wealthy cousin of Moshe,
challenged him on his leadership and accusations of nepotism. The end was
catastrophic. Korach and his band were swallowed up by the earth and the rebellion
came to an end.
While the story focuses much on Korach and his henchmen, not
enough storyline is given to Moshe and this life-changing moment in his
leadership. Because, until one is challenged, you don’t really know what they
are made of. When faced with a challenge of this magnitude, you either come out
of it crushed and rejected or with flying colors.
This weekend we mark the 31st Yahrtzeit (day of
passing) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, also known as The Rebbe of
Lubavitch. The Rebbe was born in 1902 in Nikolayev, Russia, and lived through very
difficult times. While he had many reasons to perhaps be bitter or self-absorbed,
he took a small Chassidic group, post holocaust, and turned it into the largest
outreach Jewish organization in the world.
There are leaders who teach. There are leaders who inspire.
There are leaders to create a strong following. There are leaders who
contribute in a unique way. Rarely, do you find in Jewish history someone that
has achieved all these accolades and more.
But perhaps more than anything else, the Rebbe inspired
everyone he met to LEAD and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Every person the Rebbe
encountered, be it child or adult, Jew or Gentile, Man or woman, multimillionaire
or pauper, his message was the same. G-d put you here for a reason… so go out
and meet your potential – change the world, one small act at a time.
Growing up in New York, I had the great privilege to meet
him many times, and spend many hours praying, studying, and listening to his
wise and spiritual teachings. Even now, years later, I find myself asking “what
would the Rebbe want me to do?”
Here at Chabad of Boerne, we are just one small part of the diverse and massive
5000+ Chabad Institutions across the globe, serving and inspiring humanity. We
are honored to have been blessed by the Rebbe’s guidance and teachings and feel
privileged to continue his legacy. Together we can LEAD and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
