The Rebbe’s Campaign Few Know About

Historic Treasures — Episode 272: "The Rebbe's Campaign Few Know About"

Welcome to our weekly program. Today I want to share with you an unusual mitzvah campaign that the Rebbe started in the year 1988, the Sunday after Parshas Nachamu, with very, very important emphasis. The Rebbe put much into this campaign, but not too many people even know about this campaign. Many have never heard of this campaign, and the Rebbe put a lot into it.

But before I tell you what this is, I want to say that in the year the Rebbetzin passed away — or after she passed away, put it that way — the Rebbe's conduct changed in many ways. Let me just tell you a few.

The Rebbe stopped farbrenging on weekdays. He only farbrenged on Shabbos. There used to be big, lengthy, important farbrengens [on other occasions as well] — the same thing happened with those; they stopped too.

Another thing that stopped after Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's passing was — there used to be something every [Yom Tov] before — the Rebbe stopped that.

But here is what happened, as I have here in a letter from Rabbi Groner. Rabbi Groner writes that the Rebbe called him in and told him — I believe this was regarding a maamar of the Previous Rebbe, of blessed memory, I don't know which one — that has a connection to that Yom Tov, and that they should print it. But the Rebbe stopped printing new ones after that. Rabbi Groner writes that after the Rebbe stopped it, he gave instructions that it had to be called in to Rabbi Mindel to approve, and the Rebbe said that until he approves it, it cannot come out. And that happened once — I think it was that Rabbi Mindel was away, out of town, so they had to wait until he came back, because he was the one who had to approve it, based on the Previous [Rebbe's directive].

And there are more things like this.

The same thing happened with the Tzemach Tzedek [?]. His Rebbetzin's name was also the same — Chaya Mushka — the same as our Rebbetzin's name. When his Rebbetzin passed away, his conduct changed. He passed away six years after his Rebbetzin.

And the same thing happened with our Rebbe. The Rebbetzin passed away in 1988. Six years later was Gimmel Tammuz [1994].

So, going back to the mitzvah — this campaign was launched that year, and there is a reason for this. I think it has to do, maybe, with something connected to later on, which I cannot speak about today.

I'm going to start with a few things the Rebbe spoke about on Shabbos Parshas [Nachamu] in 1988, at that farbrengen. The Rebbe spoke about the need to increase in all matters of holiness. As the Gemara states, and as is brought down in Tanya, that from the fifteenth of Av and on, one who increases in Torah study has life added to him. Although the directive to constantly ascend in holiness applies the entire year, the fifteenth of Av is very unique — once a year there is this special opportunity in [Torah] study.

In plain words, one must increase in all matters of goodness, holiness, mitzvos, and good deeds. That's what he spoke about.

He said the purpose of a farbrengen is not merely to state that a person must increase his own mitzvos — these things are simple. The purpose of a farbrengen is to inspire other Jews to also increase their efforts.

The Rebbe then said at that farbrengen that some argue that they must keep their accomplishments secret, because it says "walk humbly with your G-d" — so they kept it secret. That is why they keep it secret, that's what they said.

However, the Rebbe said it has been seen that when things are not kept secret, they work out better. As the Mishnah states, if only your fear of Heaven would be like your fear of flesh and blood. And he also mentioned something about Moshiach.

This happened on Shabbos Nachamu, 1988. The Sunday after that Shabbos, the Rebbe went [to the Ohel]. Monday, the 18th of Menachem Av, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner to call in to his room his two secretaries, Rabbi Hodakov and Rabbi Mindel, and gave them a brand-new directive.

Now I'm going to read what Rabbi Mindel and Rabbi Hodakov wrote, in Hebrew, only to those two — what this was.

The Rebbe said: "Today, the 18th [of Menachem Av]" — this was after Mincha — Rabbi Mindel and Rabbi Hodakov write: "The Rebbe called us in and appointed us to fulfill that which the Rebbe had spoken about at the farbrengen of Chamisha Asar B'Av, and the following Shabbos, Shabbos Nachamu, he emphasized that this is the first opportunity after Shabbos, and after he was at the Ohel yesterday, Sunday, to avoid wasting any time. The Rebbe urged us to relay the instructions by telephone today" — it was Monday — "so that we can send in a list of those whom we have reached by next week. This will enable the Rebbe to bring the list to the Ohel the following Sunday."

What were the instructions the Rebbe gave Rabbi Mindel and Rabbi Hodakov?

**Number one:** Every Chabad institution and Anash in every place are to appoint a three-member committee to see to the fulfillment of the additional practices that the Rebbe asked for in connection with Chamisha Asar B'Av, as explained at length [at the farbrengens].

**Number two:** The Rebbe wanted these three appointed people to be doers and achievers in their institution or neighborhood. These local communities are to submit a detailed report every three months on the real additions in their activities. These reports are not to be sent to the Rebbe's other secretaries — he had Rabbi Groner, Rabbi Simpson [?], Rabbi Klein — nor to 770 (where the mail usually came in). Rather, this should be sent directly to 1449 Union Street, Brooklyn, New York — this was the home of Rabbi Hodakov — and they should mark the envelope that it is for Rabbi Hodakov and Rabbi Mindel only. And this is very, very unusual.

**Number three:** Several times a year, a gathering of the appointed committee members should be held to strengthen one another. These meetings will include a review of past accomplishments and a plan for future increased efforts.

**Number four:** The Rebbe emphasized a few times that this is not a time for words, but rather a time to act with great enthusiasm. He said the primary focus, as stressed by the Rebbe, is on tangible actions and a real increase in positive deeds.

This happened on Monday. Then they write — the next day, Tuesday, the 19th [of Menachem Av], at 1:30 p.m., before Mincha — Rabbi Mindel received a call from Rabbi Groner. The Rebbe had asked him to contact either Rabbi Hodakov or Rabbi Mindel regarding a report of their activities, and it would be good if the report were ready before Mincha. Rabbi Mindel managed to submit an initial report in time for the Rebbe to read immediately after Mincha — it had to be done very fast.

This is the report Rabbi Mindel sent to the Rebbe, written in Hebrew, and I'll translate it:

"After the [directive] that took place yesterday after Mincha, Rabbi Hodakov and I sat down in his office to transcribe what the Rebbe told us, and to give a name and address to the new initiative, so that we could immediately begin to reach out to the Anash worldwide. After we organized the above, we informed Rabbi Krinsky and asked him to organize a worldwide telephone conference, so that the instructions could be relayed immediately to the heads of the communities, who in return would relay it to the cities and countries they are in touch with.

"The telephone conference was scheduled for last night at 10:00 p.m. Rabbi Krinsky informed me that the conference took place, and several participants requested that the instructions be sent to them by fax. At any rate, they all sat down to do all they can in this area, and within the hour we already received positive reports."

(By the way, I have all the reports. I probably will not have time today to share them with you, but next week I will share the names and the reports — who sent what, and sometimes the Rebbe made comments. I have the originals right here — to be continued.)

"Yesterday we called Rabbi Cunin, who gladly took upon himself to inform all in California. Likewise, we called Rabbi Abraham Shemtov [?], who will relay the message to all those he can contact."

Then Rabbi Mindel writes: "I asked Rabbi Krinsky to make a list of all the people and institutions who were contacted, so that we can inform the Rebbe right away." Rabbi Mindel signs this letter.

Now, on Wednesday — this was already the 20th of Menachem Av — a memo on the stationery of [the new campaign — unclear exact name]. I'm going to read the memo from Rabbi Mindel to Rabbi Hodakov:

"To the honorable Rabbi Hodakov, from Rabbi Mindel. After writing about the call from Rabbi Groner and the report to the Rebbe, I also faxed a copy of the report to you through Rabbi Klein. If you have any comments, please let me know. I'm just letting you know how the whole thing went, regarding the future.

"We have already managed to do most of the work regarding publicizing this new directive. However, the Rebbe's directive is not only for publicizing it worldwide, but also for every institution to appoint a three-member committee. Now, obviously, every institution must already have oversight, but this is a new directive that entails new oversight for additional activities. Therefore every institution must appoint a vaad who will report to the vaad appointed by the Rebbe, just as the shluchim [?] are doing.

"Now it's already the end of the summer, and you know how it is — most institutions aren't running on their regular schedule. The members of the vaad are also scattered all over the place, and it's very hard to get a hold of them on the phone right now. On the other hand, we have to get moving on this, because it's connected to the start of the new school year, which is right around the corner. However, appointing the three individuals is something that can and should be done. It's important that this be done as quickly as possible, to get at least these three, and we should be let known about it.

"Therefore, my advice is: maybe the best thing is to reach out in writing with a general letter (michtav klali), and then send a copy to each one individually. And since, with G-d's help, we have people visiting and traveling from all different cities and countries, it should be possible to send it to all, in each country, through them.

"Now, if this is in line with your view, maybe you could be so kind as to draft a general letter, or at least the main points, and then I, with G-d's help, will try to prepare the final wording, and then your people can get this letter out to each and every one."

Rabbi Mindel signs. Then a P.S.: "If you think it's correct, surely you will present a copy of this memo, or at least the main points, to the Rebbe, and it can serve as another partial report. In the meantime, we should get the envelopes ready for this letter that needs to go out to everyone, wherever they are. And maybe, with Hashem's help, we can manage to get them sent out this week and get a response back by next week, in time for [a date — unclear], in accordance with the wish of the Rebbe."

They had to do everything very fast — can you imagine? They had to get things ready, and then they had to have a report and give it to the Rebbe before — that's what the Rebbe wanted.

Now, a second memo from Rabbi Mindel to Rabbi Hodakov. After this he writes: "26th of Menachem Av, to the honorable Rabbi Hodakov. Today, before Mincha, Rabbi Groner telephoned me and relayed the Rebbe's response to my partial report from the 19th. This is the text: 'It was received with warm thanks. In advance, [requesting] the follow-up report by noon on Thursday.'

"That's what the Rebbe answered. I told Rabbi Leibel Groner that he should relay this response to you, to Rabbi Hodakov, either before or after Mincha, and to add that I will be at home in case you wish to call me about this.

"For the time being, I have no material whatsoever for the follow-up report, aside from what you already informed me of by fax, and orally from Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky. I have still not received anything, nor have I heard from him. I do not know how I will be able to fulfill the will of the Rebbe based on the above answer, unless I receive all the material that has arrived at the vaad's office no later than tomorrow, Wednesday evening, by midnight — and there is no need for all the material, but rather a summary of the reports that have been received and will be received up to that time.

"I must emphasize a summary of the reports, because we cannot trouble the Rebbe with every single thing that is received by our office, whether in writing or orally — so it is almost certain that this is not the Rebbe's intention, but rather to hear about the actual, practical results in the most concise wording possible.

"Furthermore, we must, as soon as possible, set up a permanent system for delivering the follow-up reports to the Rebbe. It seems that this should be done directly from the office of the vaad's home, from one source and one channel, to prevent duplication of effort and time. In my opinion, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky is on-site; if he is able and willing to accept this task upon himself, either by himself or together with help from someone else, then that would be best. However, he should send a copy of the report to me in the format mentioned — meaning a summary — before it is sent to the Rebbe. And I am sure you will also want to lay your eyes on the report beforehand.

"Understandably, much technical work is involved in this new mitzvah campaign, which will require manpower, and all of this requires planning and organization. Thanks in advance for your response to all the above."

So, following the launch, and after what we just read, thousands of reports started pouring in from around the world — from yeshivos, from mosdos, from camps, and more. The reports were written in an extremely nice manner by Rabbi Hodakov, together with his son Sholom — Rabbi Hodakov's son — who helped out. I have no time today to read the reports. Sometimes the Rebbe would hold every report — I have the originals here — the Rebbe read all the names. This came in from Kansas, from [places] in the United States, from Australia, from Brazil, from Argentina — from all over the world reports came pouring in. And this is what the Rebbe wanted.

Next week I will continue about this mitzvah campaign. Thank you.