Number 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, known to thousands as simply "770", is home to Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters. The building houses dozens of offices, a study-hall, and of course a large synagogue. It is the place where Rebbe gave his talks and farbrengens and handed out dollars. From 770, the Rebbe sent out his emissaries, building the largest spiritual army in history which today covers a large portion of the globe. Simply put, 770 is the hub of Chabad.
After studying in Israel for a few years, in the year 2000 I headed to Brooklyn to study in 770. I vividly recall one evening in particular. The dormitory where I had been staying temporarily was overcrowded, my friend's basement apartment was full, and the apartment I would be moving to in a few days was not yet ready. So what did I do? I went to 770, which is open and occupied 24 hours a day, pushed a couple of benches together, and went to sleep. I felt safe. I felt at home.
More than a building or a synagogue, 770 is a magnet, a compass, drawing people in. I studied in 770 for about 8 years. I spent hundreds of hours poring over holy texts; hashing out Talmudic debates. I spent many a night in that study hall, deep in Chassidic discussion, often till the wee hours of the morning. This is the place I could forget about the rest of the world and meditate for hours about the greatness of G-d.
Whenever I come to Crown Heights I make a point of bringing my kids into 770 because 770 is such a holy place. It is my spiritual home.
But two days ago, the safety and security we've always felt in our home away from home, 770, was brutally shattered when a knife-wielding man violently stabbed 22-year-old Israeli student Levi Rosenblatt* in the neck. Thank G-d, Levi is recovering and will be ok, but to have a horrific attack like this in 770 is unimaginable. Understandably, we are all reeling.
Clearly, the spiritual forces of darkness are waging war, desperately trying to subdue us.
But this week in particular we celebrate the triumph of Chassidism and light over those who sought to destroy it. The 19th of Kislev is known as the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidism. On this day, the founder of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, was released from prison (where he had been imprisoned due to false accusations) and allowed to continue spreading his teachings. When he returned home, he explained that his release from prison was not only a personal victory, but a spiritual one as well. In the heavenly realms, the forces of evil were trying to prevent the dissemination of Chassidism, and the Rebbe's physical release from prison represented the victory of holiness, purity and light over darkness.
Today, we stand on the cusp of redemption, ready for Moshiach, and so once more we battle the evil forces that would like nothing better than to see us fail. But we cannot be subdued. As we celebrate the 19th of Kislev this week, and Chanukah next week, we will continue to add light, love, kindness and generosity to the world, until we manage to vanquish the darkness entirely.
*Please continue to pray for Levi Yitzchak ben Raizel. May he have a full and speedy recovery