I returned from an extended weekend packed with inspiration to last a year. For four days, 4,000 Chabad Rabbis gathered at Lubavitch Headquarters to recharge our spiritual batteries to energize the Jewish world. We shared ideas, learned from each other’s experiences and simply had a good time catching up with friends and developing new friendships colleagues from around the world.
There was Rabbi Leiter from Safed, Israel. He runs an institution called Ascent. Each Shabbat they host three groups: soldiers of the IDF, Hebrew speaking guests and English speaking guests. The Chabad Rabbi to Paraguay services all 800 Jews in the country. I met the emissary to Cholon, Israel and many others.
The intriguing part of the whole experience was that notwithstanding the fact that we all come from so many different locations – we are basically all the same. The obvious common denominator is our dress code. (Good luck finding myself or any other Rabbi you know in the iconic annual group photo we posed for in front of HQ – 770 Eastern Parkway. I’m the guy in the suit, hat and glasses…) But our commonalities are much deeper. We share the same goal and the same mission. To bring living Judaism to every Jew and the awareness of G-d to every corner of the earth.
Sounds boring?
A Jew once mentioned to the Rebbe that he is an independent thinker. The Rebbe replied that this was objectively impossible. One is not born in a vacuum. From birth a child absorbs the sights and smells of his or her surroundings and attitudes, mannerisms and passions (positive or negative) are developed accordingly. (Incidentally, this is the rationale for the obligation for one to give charity in their home town. Your home village gave you so much, it is imperative to give back.)
This week’s parsha opens with a puzzling redundancy. “These are the chronicles of Yitzchak the son of Avraham – Avraham fathered Yitzchak”. If Yitzchak is the son of Avraham, then surely Avraham fathered him! Our sages explain that a miraculous phenomenon is being conveyed: Yitzchak was proud to call Avraham his father and Avraham was proud to call Yitzchak his son. Despite the 100-year age difference between them, they were one of the same brand. They shared the same belief and calling in life. This is a truly healthy family. The aging generation communicates with the youngsters and the youngsters do not relegate the ideas of grandparents to ancient history. On the contrary, they absorb the message and carry it on proudly to the future.
This is the amazing dynamic of the annual Convention of Emissaries. Emissaries well into their eighties mingle amongst the millennials and they are the very same. We are all committed to furthering the Rebbe’s agenda to reach every Jew with unconditional love and acceptance in the furthest corners of our universe. And this year we have reached the milestone of having a permanent Chabad presence in every state with the establishment of Chabad Lubavitch in South Dakota.
In truth, this is a reflection of the reality of Am Yisrael. No matter the location – a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. We are all the same.