Today is Gimmel Tammuz—the Rebbe’s 29th Yahrzeit. It’s been almost three decades since we’ve been able to physically see our leader and hear his holy words.
I traveled to his resting place in Queens, together with tens of thousands of Jews from all over the globe, to ask for his blessing on this powerful and auspicious day.
The Rebbe’s teachings continue to be studied and spread, 29 years after his passing. The fire and passion he ignited within us burns strong; his presence is felt today more than ever. We haven’t given up on the task he assigned us. In fact, there are now Chabad emissaries spreading Torah and Yiddishkeit in every corner and crevice of the globe.
My proudest accomplishment is being the Rebbe’s emissary in Manhattan.
The Rebbe is my mentor and guide. Everything I do in my life is shaped by him—every sermon I give, every couple I counsel, every class I teach, every dollar I raise, every person I inspire … it’s all a direct result of the Rebbe’s teachings, guidance and inspiration.
I start each day with his teachings, and before every major decision I pray at the Ohel for success.
The Rebbe inspired me to have as many children as possible, so I am blessed with 8 beautiful kids. We live in Manhattan because of the Rebbe.
Every morning I wake up passionate and excited to do the Rebbe’s work, to help and inspire as many people as possible, to educate Jewish children and support our wounded IDF brothers and sisters.
The Rebbe taught us that when it comes to our spiritual work, it’s never enough. There’s no “end.” There’s always more to accomplish, more people to reach, more Torah to spread.
I could study the Rebbe’s teachings my entire life and not even scratch the surface. But if I could sum up some of his most meaningful and inspiration ideas, here’s what I would say:
The Rebbe taught us to believe in the world. We know how easy it is to become despondent. So many problems, so much darkness. People are more divided than ever, and up-to-the-minute access to news means we know every bad thing going on in every corner of the globe. It’s overwhelming and easy to become depressed. But the Rebbe taught us to look beyond the darkness and find the light. The Rebbe taught us the power of positive thinking, and to view the world as G-d’s garden. To find the hidden sparks of light and ignite them.
The Rebbe taught us to believe in people. The Rebbe championed the view that deep at our core we are all good, and if we haven’t found the good in someone, it simply means we haven’t dug deep enough. The Rebbe taught us not to give up on people—not our difficult children, our challenging students, or the rude stranger on the street. Everyone has a neshama—a spark of G-dliness—and it’s our responsibility to help them uncover it.
And most importantly, the Rebbe taught us to believe in ourselves and to never give up, no matter what life throws at us. The Rebbe believed so strongly in the power and reach of every individual, and he pushed us to recognize just how much we could accomplish—more than we ever thought possible.
Above all, the Rebbe wanted us to bring Moshiach, and we have not ceased working towards that for even one moment. May it happen imminently.
Rabbi Uriel Vigler