When I was 14, my classmates organized a trip to New York to visit the Lubavitcher Rebbe, leader of the Chabad movement. Living in Johannesburg, South Africa, with two Israeli parents, I'd been on several family trips to Israel, but never to New York.
For two years we'd been discussing this trip, and figuring out the best time to go. Unfortunately, on March 2, 1992, the Rebbe suffered a stroke and became unable to speak. Until now, the Rebbe had been giving public, in-depth Torah talks to thousands of people on a regular basis. On Sundays the Rebbe stood for hours handing out dollars and giving blessings to scores of people, some of whom had travelled thousands of miles to be there. The giving of the dollars was to encourage people to give money to charity. People would keep the dollar from the Rebbe, and in its place give a dollar (or more) to charity. The Rebbe also met with individuals one-on-one, late into the nights, to give guidance and blessings.
But after the Rebbe's stroke in March 1992, all this stopped, and we found ourselves divided. Half the group wanted to postpone our trip to New York until the Rebbe had recovered and resumed giving dollars and blessings. The other half felt we should travel immediately, regardless. At the time, Rabbi Shalom Ber Groner, one of South Africa's senior Chabad rabbis, said, "A chassid doesn't wait. When he has the opportunity to see the Rebbe, he goes."
I was part of the group that decided to wait for the Rebbe's recovery so that we could see more of the Rebbe. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity, because the Rebbe remained unable to speak until his passing two years later on the 3rd of Tammuz 5754, June 12, 1994.
Ultimately, the first time I visited New York was one year later, on the Rebbe's first yahrtzeit. My deepest regret in life is that I never saw the Rebbe. I strongly regret not taking that trip, because I missed out on meeting the person who has shaped my life, my community, and much of world Jewry over the past century.
But even though I never saw the Rebbe, my entire life has been influenced by the Rebbe. It was the Rebbe's vision to send Chabad families, as emissaries, to communities all over the world, to help instigate and revitalize Jewish life, even in the most remote, far-flung areas. The Rebbe believed that each Jew was of equal importance, and fired up his chassidim with a mission - find every Jew and love them. Teach them the beauty of the Torah and the power of a single mitzvah.
Our Chabad Israel Center of the Upper East Side would not exist if not for the Rebbe's global vision. My father is also one of the Rebbe's emissaries and has been doing the Rebbe's work in Johannesburg for the last 40 years. Most of my siblings are Chabad emissaries. My parents-in-law and my wife's siblings are all emissaries across the globe. It was my dream and passion to become part of the Rebbe’s global army by becoming one of his emissaries.
On July 1, 2014, we'll be marking 20 years since the Rebbe's passing. And although the Rebbe is no longer physically present, his teachings and guidance continue to lead the Chabad movement globally.
Over the last 20 years, Chabad has grown exponentially. There are currently 4,000 Chabad centers worldwide, and Chabad is considered the largest Jewish organization by far. Joseph Telushkin has just published a book entitled, "The Rebbe: the most influential rabbi in modern history," which is already high on the best seller list before it has even been released!
A few weeks ago I visited the Rebbe's resting place in Queens, with our Belev Echad wounded soldiers. I invited the Rebbe's personal secretary, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, chairman of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch and Machne Israel, to come with us and offer some words of encouragement to our brave heroes. After meeting these soldiers, who have sacrificed so much for their country and their people, Rabbi Krinsky was so moved he decided to give them a very unique gift.
In 1990, in honor of Lag BaOmer, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Krinsky to print special coins to be given out at the parade. They had to rush the order, but the coins were ready in time and the Rebbe handed them out to the chassidim. Rabbi Krinsky still had some of the extra coins, and he decided to give them to our delegation. The soldiers and I felt honored to have received a precious memento from the Rebbe, 20 years after his passing. I felt as if I was getting a precious coin from the Rebbe with all the blessings that it entails, something that I missed out on when the Rebbe was physically alive.
We know that a righteous person lives on. Only the physical body leaves, but the Rebbe continues to be with us, giving us blessings and strength to continue carrying out his holy mission.
As we mark the Rebbe's 20th yahrtzeit, this is the time to commit, or recommit, to his primary teachings - love every Jew unconditionally, and welcome Moshiach with acts of goodness and kindness.