Dear Rebbe,
I miss you. We all miss you.
It's been 27 long, dark and painful years since we last saw you.
Twenty-seven years is a long time. Too long.
Close to three decades have passed since we had the privilege of hearing you bless, inspire and teach us.
Rebbe, the world has changed tremendously over the last 27 years.
In 1994 we were using VHS, cassette tape recorders, transistor radios, Walkmans, calculator watches, dial-up modems, floppy discs and VCRs.
Now our children don’t even know what any of those technologies are. Instead, we use WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Not only has the world changed, it seems to have become far more dangerous. Anti-Semitisim is increasing rapidly. Jews are being spat at, cursed at and beaten up regularly, and there seems to be a lack of strong leaders who are able to make the right decisions. Concerning, too, are people’s apathy and nonchalance. People also seem to care more about terrorists than Jewish blood. The divide seems to be growing and impossible to bridge.
It may have been 27 years, but we have not forgotten what you taught us. Although the world has changed drastically, one thing that has not changed since 1994 is your words of hope and inspiration which we continue to cherish.
Dear Rebbe, I have lived with your teachings every day for the last 27 years, reading and re-reading your talks and letters.
You taught us that there is a Master to this Universe, Who will never forsake us! You firmly implanted this belief inside every single one of us. No matter how bad the world may seem, we know that G-d is in control. You taught us to believe in humanity. You taught us to believe in the power of goodness, hope, and the ultimate triumph of light over dark.
You taught us to love every Jew—deeply and unconditionally. You always emphasized the importance of good and the power of each individual to effect change. You promised that we will ultimately prevail and that we will witness the arrival of Moshiach in our generation. And that has not changed. That promise is what has kept us going for the last 27 years, painful as they have been.
I can imagine your message to the world now: Hang tight! We are at the very last moment of darkness; redemption is within reach, when we will understand that the chaos is just part of the Divine plan, and we will watch all the pieces fall into place.
Dear Rebbe, I hear your voice in my head. I hear you crying at this bitter exile which still constrains us. I can hear you insisting—demanding!—that G-d send the immediate redemption.
Looking forward to reuniting with you physically very soon!
Rabbi Uriel Vigler