1. The Significance of 28 Sivan: The Rebbe’s Arrival in America
Today is the 28th day of Sivan, a date with deep significance in Chabad history. On this day, the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin arrived in the United States, escaping the horrors of World War II. At that time, travel was nearly impossible—there were no boats crossing the Atlantic due to the war, and obtaining visas for entry into America was extremely difficult. Their arrival was nothing short of miraculous, a clear demonstration of hashgacha pratis—divine providence. The Rebbe came as a refugee with little more than a suitcase, yet from these humble beginnings he built what would become the global Chabad-Lubavitch movement. This underscores not only the power of an individual to change the world but also the immense challenges faced by Jews at that time—both physical hardships and spiritual obstacles. America was seen as a place where Judaism could not flourish, unlike the religiously vibrant shtetls of Europe. There was widespread ignorance and opposition to traditional Yiddishkeit—Judaism—and it took visionary leadership to transform this landscape. Although the Rebbe did not officially become leader until 1951 (a year after his father-in-law’s passing), his arrival on 28 Sivan marked a turning point. Even before assuming formal leadership, he was entrusted by his father-in-law with major responsibilities: overseeing central Chabad organizations, publishing books, and advancing Jewish life in myriad ways. The seeds for future growth were planted from day one.2. The Rebbe’s Devotion to His Father-in-Law
What stands out most about the Rebbe’s early years in America is his extraordinary devotion to his father-in-law, the previous Rebbe (Frierdiker Rebbe). Despite being a giant in learning, righteousness, and leadership—qualities that would have set him apart anywhere—the Rebbe never referred to himself as “the Rebbe.” Instead, he always spoke of “my father-in-law, the Rebbe,” or “the Rebbe of our generation.” Even when people wrote notes seeking blessings or advice, he would reply that he would pray for them at his father-in-law’s resting place. This total subjugation is remarkable given the Rebbe’s own stature—a “godly genius” (hagoon eloki) as inscribed on his monument, a phrase unique to him and absent from his father-in-law’s grave marker. Yet for all his brilliance and accomplishments, what mattered most was being utterly devoted to his father-in-law—the Moshe Rabbeinu—Moses—of their generation. The true measure of greatness for a Rebbe is not intellectual achievement but selfless service to Hashem. The previous Rebbe embodied this through unwavering dedication and self-sacrifice (mesiras nefesh) for God, Torah, mitzvos, and spreading Yiddishkeit. The current Rebbe recognized this quality above all else and devoted every gift—intellectual, emotional, leadership—to furthering his father-in-law’s mission.3. The Previous Rebbe’s Struggle Against Soviet Oppression
To understand why the previous Rebbe inspired such awe and devotion requires looking at his tenure as leader during one of history’s darkest periods for Russian Jewry. He became Rebbe in 1920 (Tafresh Pei), just after the Bolshevik Revolution had unleashed fierce anti-religious persecution across Russia. Synagogues were shuttered, Jewish schools closed, mikvahs destroyed—all part of an effort to eradicate religious life. The Communists especially targeted children by forcing them into secular schools where atheism was taught aggressively—sometimes even mockingly so. There are stories illustrating how teachers would try to convince students that only what can be seen exists; one clever Jewish child famously turned this logic back on his teacher. Despite these overwhelming odds—and constant danger—the previous Rebbe led clandestine efforts to preserve Torah education and Jewish observance. He and his chassidim risked everything to keep Yiddishkeit alive for future generations.4. The Arrest and Heroic Stand on Shabbos Observance
In 1927, after years of relentless harassment by Soviet authorities (including Jewish Communists known as Yivsektsiya, who often betrayed their own families), they finally arrested the previous Rebbe. He endured brutal treatment in prison: physical beatings, emotional torment, deprivation of basic rights. One famous episode highlights his unbreakable spirit: when threatened with a revolver for refusing to answer questions, he calmly replied that such threats only frighten those who have one world and more than one god—but he had one God and two worlds. Eventually a verdict was issued: first execution by firing squad (later erased), then ten years exile in Siberia (also erased), finally three years exile in Kostroma. On Thursday—Rosh Chodesh—they told him he’d be freed from prison that afternoon but must leave immediately for Kostroma by train that night. This meant traveling on Shabbos. The previous Rebbe refused outright: “I do not travel on Shabbos.” Officials warned him that refusal could mean indefinite imprisonment or worse; still he stood firm. After much effort by supporters both inside Russia and abroad, permission was granted for him to leave Sunday night instead—on 3 Tammuz—but this meant spending additional days in jail under harsh conditions rather than violate Shabbos even minimally.5. Kiddush Hashem: Refusing Compromise Under Duress
Why did the previous Rebbe risk so much? Halachically speaking, merely sitting passively on a train might not even constitute true Shabbos violation—and certainly saving one’s life overrides almost any prohibition (Pikuach Nefesh). But here there was something deeper at stake: Soviet authorities deliberately orchestrated events so they could publicize that they had forced Rabbi Schneerson—the chief rabbi—to travel on Shabbos. For them it wasn’t about technicalities; it was about desecrating God’s name (chilul Hashem). To allow them this victory would have been unthinkable—a public humiliation not just personally but symbolically for all Yiddishkeit under siege. Even beyond this specific incident, whenever confronted by those seeking to destroy Torah or humiliate its leaders—even while imprisoned—the previous Rebbe refused any gesture of submission or respect toward them. To him they were simply nonentities because they opposed everything holy; there could be no compromise or calculation when it came to defending Torah values against such forces.6. Lessons from Mesiras Nefesh: True Leadership Defined
This episode reveals what it means to be a true servant of Hashem—a leader whose entire being is bound up with Torah and Yiddishkeit regardless of personal cost or danger. For such a person there is no separation between life itself and serving God; anyone who opposes Torah becomes irrelevant in their eyes. This is what so deeply impressed our Rebbe about his father-in-law—not scholarly output or intellectual prowess but utter self-sacrifice for Hashem’s will at every turn. In recognizing this quality as defining true greatness—as being Moshe Rabbeinu, faithful shepherd of each generation—the current Rebbe threw himself wholeheartedly into continuing this legacy upon arriving in America on 28 Sivan. Despite suffering greatly at the hands of oppressors (arriving physically weakened and partially paralyzed), the previous Rebbe persisted—and our Rebbe expanded upon these foundations with all his energy and talents until Chabad became an unprecedented force for good worldwide.7. Conclusion: Continuing the Legacy Amidst Challenge
As we approach Gimel Tammuz—the third day of Tammuz—we reflect not only on loss but also on enduring inspiration drawn from these stories of courage and unwavering faithfulness under fire. The seeds planted by both Rebbei’im continue to bear fruit through our dedication today. Though there is much more we could discuss from these sichos, let us take away above all else an appreciation for what defines true leadership: total devotion to Hashem regardless of circumstance or personal sacrifice—a lesson as relevant now as ever before.