I want to share with you the message and story that I offered to my son Murdechai this past Monday night at his Bar Mitzvah celebration.
During times of chaos and conflict, the Rebbe urged an increase in love and unity among the Jewish people as a pathway to world peace and conflict resolution. The Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael, loving our fellow as ourselves, is a fundamental principle for all Jewish people. We are privileged that the Rebbe made this our “job.” As a family of Shluchim, our mandate is all about caring for and helping others.
Back in Russia, a Chassidic school teacher once observed an exchange between two five-year-old students. One boy asked the other if he could borrow some of his ink, because he did not have anymore in his own inkwell. The second boy refused saying, that he needed the ink for himself. During the next class, the teacher called on the second boy and asked him, “what is Kamatz Alef?” Alef is the first of the Hebrew letters and Kamatz is the first vowel. The boy replied, “Kamatz Alef, ah.” The teacher said, “No, Kamatz Alef means that when your friend asks you to borrow some ink you willingly give it to him.” The teacher then asked him, “what is Kamatz Beis?” The boy said, “Kamatz Beis bah.” The teacher said, “No, Kamatz Beis means that when your friend asks you to borrow some ink you willingly give it to him.” The teacher then went on to ask him each of the 22 letters and gave him the same answer.
We need to know that the foundation of Judaism is caring for another. We must strengthen our Ahavas Yisrael muscles to the point that we develop a geshmak – passion and flavor for caring and doing a favor for another.
This was my message and blessing to my son. It is a message and blessing that is valuable for each and every one of us!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin