USA (5) - Acknowledging the support for the Previous Rebbe

00:00 The hemsech, in continuation to the early installments in regards to the Rabbeim of Chabad and the United States of America, we continue now with installment number five, referring to a sicha of the Rebbe on Yud Shvat, Tov Shin Lamed He, the tenth of Shvat, 1975, where the Rebbe discusses, elaborates on what role the United States played in rescuing the previous Rebbe. The Rebbe begins with a pasuk from Yirmiyahu 29:7, ידרשו השלם בעיר כי בשלמה יהיה לכם שלם. You should seek the peace of the city and pray on its behalf, because in her peace you will also benefit. And the Rebbe continues, Therefore one must speak respectfully, respectfully of the host country. This is especially true in connection with the Ba'al Ha'ilula, who the Rebbe is referring to, the previous Rebbe, for this is not only a matter that relates to the present and the future, but also a unique expression of gratitude for the past. As is well known, the government of the United States played a major role in the rescue and release of the previous Rebbe from imprisonment, serving as emissaries of HaKadosh Baruch Hu for the hearts of kings on the hand of Hashem. Likewise, afterwards they assisted and exerted themselves in enabling his arrival in the United States and his successful establishment here. Based on what the Ba'al Ha'ilula, the previous Rebbe, writes in his well-known letter for the 12th of Tammuz regarding his deliverance from prison and similarly regarding the deliverance that followed, it is understood that this matter concerns

02:05 not only him, but all those who follow in his ways, extending even to quote-unquote all who are referred to or called by the name Yisrael. For through his deliverance came the deliverance of all these groups as well. Included in this is the inner point, the salvation of Am Yisrael and especially Klal Yisrael goes hand in hand with the salvation of Yiddishkeit itself, Judaism, Torah and mitzvahs. Although halei kedralai koesh, my word is like fire, speaking about the Inyan of Torah, and therefore Torah cannot truly be harmed so that one might ask what place is there for the concept of rescuing quote-unquote Torah and mitzvahs. Nevertheless, the purpose of Torah and mitzvahs is that Yidden should study Torah and fulfill the commandments and be able to do so with tranquility of mind and tranquility of body. Then the study is deeper, broader and greater. As the Rambam writes in the laws of Hilchos Deis and repeats in different wording but with the same similar content in Hilchos Shuv and the laws of repentance and later again in the Hilchos Maloch and the laws of kings when describing the state of the messianic era. Since the fulfillment of the mitzvahs depends upon study, shemeivile demaiser, that brings one to action, this adds length, breadth and depth to the observance of the mitzvahs themselves. This also provides guidance for the future since a consistent pattern has been established whereby the United States acts on behalf of matters connected with the dissemination of Torah, Yiddishkeit and mitzvahs and in

04:25 a broader sense on behalf of causes connected with the strengthening of justice and righteousness. At the same time, together with the demand regarding the future, for since there is no limit to goodness, there is always room to accomplish more, one must also relate properly to the past, both in general and in particular with regard to Lubavitch and Chabad concerning their work in spreading the wellsprings and through this in spreading Yiddishkeit as a whole, reaching, as quoted earlier, all who are called referred to by the name Yisrael, every Yid. Accordingly, gratitude should be expressed to the United States and to its leaders, including the one who merited to be chosen to stand at its head. Since everything occurs by Hashgacha Protis divine providence, even events in the inanimate world and certainly in the plant, animal and human realms, it is unquestionably so when speaking about a great nation that has recently been granted the ability to influence the entire world. This is not by chance, but by divine providence. It surely places upon that nation a unique responsibility and grants it a unique privilege, both with regard to itself and with regard to its influence upon the world, that its conduct should be such that HaKadosh Baruch Hu will say concerning it, נחת רוח לפני אש אמרתי ונעשה רצני I derive pleasure, for I spoke and my will was carried out. We will, im yirtzeh Hashem, continue in the next installment.