"But, if I am to use this opportunity to write, I must use it to be honest. And in honesty, in spite of my spiritual connection to him, I miss the Rebbe. My heart aches to once again have him as part of his and my flesh and blood relationship"
-Jay Litvin
The following is a Beautiful article that was written about the Rebbe in the "Jewish Look" April, 1975, also included is part of a Letter that the Rebbe wrote to President Jimmy Carter February 9, 1979.
On March 23, the eleventh day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, two dozen men gathered in a basement apartment in Brooklyn for what they called a Chasidic farbrengen (gathering).
"Let's all say L'chaim to the Rebbe. Today is his birthday. L'chaim. The Rebbe should be healthy and live long and he should lead us towards the Messiah." It was a cozy setting: dim lights, a table with a plain white cover, bare walls. This was the home of a Chasid who only eight months ago arrived from Russia.
I went to the farbrengen to find out what the Rebbe's disciples think about him and what the Rebbe's opinions are on today's major issues. For the Rebbe's views and opinions challenge the most accepted notions.
...The Rebbe is also firm in his belief that Israel should not give back "one inch" of territory it won in the 1967 and 1973 wars. "It is because I want to prevent another war that I urge the Israeli leaders not to give back one inch," he has stated." The only way to prevent more wars and more casualties is by not giving in and to be prepared; not to retreat even if the U.S. government demands concessions."
The Rebbe was one of the first to say publicly that America--and not Russia--forced Israel to stop its drive on the west bank of the Suez Canal, thus preventing Israel from eliminating the Egyptian Third Army during the Yom Kippur War. Even today few publicly state this, although Moshe Dayan has recently confirmed that it was an American ultimatum which saved the Egyptian armed forces.
But even during the war, the Rebbe was steadfast in his opinions, which proved correct. When told that he should cease urging the Israelis to drive on to Damascus and not stop 30 miles from the Syrian capital because of the threat of Soviet intervention, the Rebbe stated: "I say the Russians will not intervene."
And they didn't. When a reporter asked how the Rebbe could advise the Israelis while he lived in America, the Rebbe bristled: "This involves the security of three million Jews in Israel. Every American Jew not only has the right but the obligation to help Israel with money, with raising the morale of the Israelis and with advice he feels is good for the Jewish state..."
A letter of the Rebbe to President Jimmy Carter, dated February 9, 1979:
"The U.S. government, and you Mr. President personally, are in a unique position of influence among the nations of the world, particularly those benefiting from U.S. economic, cultural and other forms of aid, to encourage them to follow your example and to share your "conviction that the noblest task of government is education" - to quote your statement (2/28/78) - a conviction which has been translated into bold, comprehensive action. I am confident that the response will be positive, and I venture to say that it would have a favorable impact on those in this country who, for one reason or another, are not, as yet, enthusiastic about Congress legislation on the submitted project"
"The U.S. government, and you Mr. President personally, are in a unique position of influence among the nations of the world, particularly those benefiting from U.S. economic, cultural and other forms of aid, to encourage them to follow your example and to share your "conviction that the noblest task of government is education" - to quote your statement (2/28/78) - a conviction which has been translated into bold, comprehensive action. I am confident that the response will be positive, and I venture to say that it would have a favorable impact on those in this country who, for one reason or another, are not, as yet, enthusiastic about Congress legislation on the submitted project"
Good Shabbos
Menachem.
Copyright © Menachem Kirschenbaum 2007
