JEWISH THOUGHT

CirCle of lighT

Yoseph Janowski

Seventy years ago, the Rebbe agreed to become the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. He went on to lead a monumental campaign to uplift the Jewish people, and to bring to the world an awareness of G-d and His laws, the fulfillment of which would bring peace to all mankind.

In one snapshot of the extent of his influence, this past Chanukah, despite the global pandemic, there were reportedly fifteen thousand public menorah lightings worldwide, plus hundreds of Chanukah parades featuring menorahs on top of cars. News outlets covered events, including a menorah lighting in England which was seen by one million viewers via BBC News. Social media and Zoom connected tens of thousands of isolated people to Chanukah.

At the public menorah lighting in Warsaw, the city’s mayor attended and reflected on how the reach of Chabad has come full circle. This is where it all began, he said, when the Rebbe married the previous Rebbe's daughter in 1928 in Warsaw. The mayor talked about a circle of light that began then and continues now, in Warsaw, and throughout the world.

I remember hearing that someone once asked the Rebbe why he moves his hand in a circle when he encourages singing, and the Rebbe answered that a circle represents truth; just as a circle continues uninterrupted, so too truth is constant and eternal.

Around forty-five years ago, I stood with about fifteen people in the small upstairs study hall at 770 Eastern Parkway, Lubavitch world headquarters and the Rebbe’s synagogue in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights. It was the holiday of Shemini Atzeret, and almost all of the Lubavitcher Chassidim had left the neighborhood, walking to other New York communities to dance and sing and spread happiness to others. I was very self-conscious standing in the Rebbe's presence, knowing that the Rebbe really wanted everyone to go spread the light elsewhere. But due to extenuating circumstances, I couldn't go. So I tried to be as unnoticeable as possible, while I prayed with the Rebbe’s minyan.

The prayers ended, and just before the Rebbe walked out, a song started. The song was "Al hasela hach," describing how Moses struck a rock, and out came water. The fifteen Chassidim sang loudly and joyfully, and suddenly the Rebbe stood on his chair, vigorously moving both of his arms in a continuous circle to encourage the singing. As I sang and danced, leaping up and down, I was amazed that the Rebbe was putting in all this effort for fifteen people. And then it dawned on me that the Rebbe wasn't just encouraging us. He was sending encouragement to the Chassidim marching to other neighborhoods. They didn't see him, but I was sure that their souls felt it.

In a similar vein, today I feel that, although we don't see the Rebbe, he is nevertheless encouraging us. The light that started in 1928 is being seen and felt throughout the world.

There is an interesting passage in chapter eight in the Book of Daniel. During the third year of the reign of King Belshatzar, which was the year 3,389 after creation, Daniel saw a vision. One angel asked another, “Till when will the deterioration continue? The other angel answered, “Till evening morning 2,300, and the holy will be vindicated.”

When we add 2,300 to 3,389, we get 5,689. The year 5,689, ninety-two years ago, was the year of the Rebbe’s fateful wedding in Warsaw. It was indeed a time of “evening,” the beginning of darkness. Stalin assumed full power in Russia. The Nazis gained influence due to the stock market crash. In the Land of Israel, dozens were being mercilessly killed by Arabs in pogroms in Hebron and other places. But 5,689 was also “morning,” the beginning of light, the year when the future Lubavitcher Rebbe married the previous Rebbe's daughter.

Today we merit to see the continuation of this light, growing in ever-increasing measure, illuminating the entire world so that very soon, the darkness will end, and only the true light of the Redemption will shine. That is the Rebbe’s wish for us. Our duty is to do everything in our power to make it happen. EM