8558 —קול ילד בוכה, חמלה, חינוך ודרך האמת של החסידות

B"H, 14th of Kislev, 5723.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Honored are all the participants—men and women—in the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen, the day of liberation of our Rebbe the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch. This is the festival that redeemed our souls in peace and brought light and vitality to our souls in Kfar Chabad in our holy land, may it be rebuilt and established by our righteous Moshiach—may G‑d be upon them for life—abundant peace and blessing!

From afar in place but close in spirit, I join your farbrengen—a gathering of words of Torah and inspiration, raising a cup for l'chaim, l'chaim u'livrachah.

This year marks one hundred fifty years since the passing of the Alter Rebbe. I join especially by sharing a story from his life—a story that includes both conduct and instruction.

* * *

The sound of a crying child. The Alter Rebbe lived in his home together with his son (his successor), Reb Dovber—the Mitteler Rebbe. Reb Dovber was distinguished by an unparalleled ability to concentrate deeply and cleave to G‑d. During his study or prayer he was oblivious to everything around him. Once, while he was immersed in study and there was a cradle with a baby in the corner of his room, the baby fell out of the cradle and began to cry—but Reb Dovber did not notice at all.

However, his father—the Alter Rebbe—even though he lived upstairs and was also deeply immersed in study at that moment—heard the baby's cry. He stopped learning, came down to his son's room, picked up the baby, cared for him, calmed him down and laid him back in the cradle; he did not leave until he saw his grandchild at peace. Still Reb Dovber did not notice either his father or his son.

Later on, at an appropriate time, the Alter Rebbe rebuked his son explaining: this is not the way—to be so absorbed in study etc., that one does not hear a child's cry.

* * *

This story has been passed down from generation to generation—and given over especially to us by our Rebbe (the Previous Rebbe), leader of our generation—and surely there are practical lessons for these generations and for us within all Israel especially.

One lesson is: A person should never be so absorbed in any matter—even if it is something most lofty—that he does not hear a child's cry nearby or even at a distance. The sound of a crying child must reach every single person so much so that it interrupts whatever they are doing; they must care for the crying child and do everything possible to fill what is lacking for that child.

Especially in our times there are many infants and children who—for whatever reason—have "fallen from their cradles," disconnected (or never were) from an authentic Jewish "cradle." They cry out—with an audible voice or with an inner voice that cannot be heard—from their soul's distress (which is truly a part of G‑d above), hungry and thirsty for G‑d's word—for His Torah and mitzvos—and there is no one who cares for them or fills their need with education imbued with holiness.

Likewise there are many among our fellow Jews who—even though they are adults in years—are still small or even infants regarding Torah (which is our life) and mitzvah observance; even if they themselves do not see or recognize this—their mazal sees it—and they cry out from inner anguish—sometimes without knowing its cause—they simply feel terrible emptiness in their lives: lives without any content or worthy purpose.

It is forbidden to turn a deaf ear to these cries—from Jewish children whether young in age or "children" regarding Torah knowledge or mitzvah observance. To each person comes this instruction: Do not sin against the child! Stop all your other business—care for the child! Return him to his Father—our merciful Father; let him learn His Torah and fulfill His mitzvos—and then he will live true life: full life; complete life; good life.

* * *

And what is the way to calm the child—to return him to his Father and fill what he lacks? It is through triple love: Ahavas Yisrael directed by love of Torah—both founded upon love of G‑d—which leads to ongoing action for another's true benefit: both material benefit and spiritual benefit; ultimately—to set them on a path of true life—a life according to Torah illuminated by Chassidus's wellsprings infused with its enthusiasm.

* * *

May it be G‑d's will that from this farbrengen—and those held elsewhere on Yud-Tes Kislev both in Eretz HaKodesh (the Holy Land) and abroad—the call goes out to all Jews whose hearts are awake to a child's cry: A call for vigorous action spreading Torah generally—and especially spreading Chassidus's wellsprings—in both learning and practice—with enthusiasm, vitality, and light.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that we must never become so absorbed—even in holy pursuits—that we ignore those around us who need help. Every Jew must respond compassionately when another cries out spiritually or physically; true education flows from Ahavas Yisrael guided by Chassidus.