Thursday, July 18, the 12th day of Tammuz, marks 97 years to the redemption of the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson from communist imprisonment. Arrested at midnight in the summer of 1927 the Soviets decreed he would face a firing squad for the heinous crime of sustaining organized Judaism in the Soviet Union with his thriving network of underground religious and educational institutions. Through a series of miracles, the execution did not happen and he was ultimately released less than a month after his arrest.
In his diary he recorded that as soon as he entered the dreaded Spalerka prison compound he resolved not to be frightened or intimidated by anyone there, and his demeanor throughout his imprisonment reflected that decision. Although fluent in Russian he responded to questions exclusively in Yiddish, demanded his Tefillin and holy books returned to him, refused to be photographed on Shabbat, and even rejected an earlier release date which entailed traveling on Shabbat.
The fact of the matter was that his life was in grave danger and the consequences of antagonizing his captors could have been devastating for his family, his thousands of followers, and all of Soviet Jewry. Why did he behave this way? In this week’s parsha we learn that as the Israelites neared the Promised Land they encountered two powerful kings, Sichon and Og. Both ruled nations of seasoned warriors, entrenched in difficult terrain and fortified cities. The Canaanite nations paid them a heavy tax to protect their borders from the approaching Israelites. First Sichon rallied his troops to battle and was defeated in a remarkable maneuver orchestrated by G-d. But as the Israelites prepared for war with Og, Moshe started to worry. Og was a very old man who had encountered our forefather Avraham. When his nephew Lot was captured in battle, Og alerted Avraham to the crisis, which enabled him to rescue Lot from captivity. Moshe was concerned that the spiritual merit of helping Avraham 400 years earlier might empower Og to be victorious. Therefore G-d said to Moshe before the battle with Og (21:34), “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him, his people, and his land into your hand.” The language of Talmud’s description of Moshe’s anxiety about the upcoming battle with Og is specific. “Moshe thought in his heart, perhaps Og’s merit will shield him.” He did not share his concerns with anyone else, nor did his fears register on his facial expressions. He kept his doubts to himself, portraying complete confidence. Only G-d - who reads everyone's thoughts - reassured him not to fear. Although the previous Rebbe was aware of his precarious situation, he knew that confidence was the correct response. He shared this with us so we can adopt this important lesson in our own lives. Even when the struggle against our bad inclinations or moral weaknesses seems hopeless and there are many reasons to doubt we will succeed, portraying confidence is crucial and is the conduit for G-d’s blessing of victory. Even if you’re uninspired to do a Mitzvah, do it enthusiastically anyway, as if you are inspired. It’s not being dishonest. This is how you ultimately win. Whatever crisis you might experience internally or externally, think and act as if victory is assured and see G-d’s blessings flow through your efforts.