This weekend, on Shabbat, we mark the most important date on the Chabad calendar: Yud-Tes Kislev, the 19th of the month of Kislev, which is the anniversary of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi’s release from prison in Czarist Russia in 1798.
The Alter Rebbe (Charcoal on Art Paper by Sholom Nemtzov)
Also known as the Alter Rebbe, he was the founder of the Chabad movement, and was imprisoned as a result of fabricated charges that he was aiding enemies of the Russian Empire. (In fact, he was sending money to the Jews in the Holy Land, then under Ottoman rule.)
After his release, the Alter Rebbe penned a letter to his followers, quoting a verse from this week’s Torah portion, “I have become small from all the kindnesses and from all the truth that You have rendered Your servant.” With these words Jacob acknowledges that all of G-d’s kindness has rendered him small and humble.
Knowing that everything we have comes from G-d is simultaneously empowering and humbling, and the Alter Rebbe reminded his followers that although his release from prison should be commemorated and celebrated every year, we must not forget about humility.
Be humble and know where all your blessings come from. That will empower you to continue growing and expanding your reach. That’s how it was with Jacob—with his family growing and expanding from that point on, that’s how it was with the Alter Rebbe—with the nascent Chabad movement he started flourishing tremendously after his release, and that’s how we should act as well—with great humility that will lead to exponential growth!
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Shlomi Tabib
Photo by Ravi Roshan on Unsplash
