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By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon

There are certain days in the calendar that invoke certain thoughts and discussions. Around the day of Gimmel Tammuz, no matter how one personally views and acts on the day, there is usually a universal discussion about the “future of Chabad”. Many articles are written, and analysis given, on the direction of and future of Chabad 30 plus years after Gimmel Tammuz 5754.

Lately, I have been hearing these discussions within the Chabad community. There are two main ways that this conversation is expressing itself:

1. With the passage of time, most of the original leadership of Chabad (think Rabbanim, Mazkirim, original shluchim, etc.) have either passed away or are simply too old to lead (which is normal). While positions have been filled by children, or younger board members, it lacks the same central authority and respect. I am not saying that it should be that way, I am simply stating the fact. The “leadership vacuum” creates the question and conversation about the future of the movement.
2. There are those (within the chabad community) who are uncomfortable with the obsession of many in Chabad (especially young bochurim and Israeli chassidim) with the “moshiach concept” and publicly identifying the Rebbe as Moshiach. Seeing – what they feel – is a “movement that has veered from its core mission and purpose” they wonder what the future holds.

As these discussions are happening in our own circles, from people that truly care about the Rebbe and the respect of Chabad, I would like to start with an illuminating answer from the Rebbe (printed in Igros Kodesh) that I saw recently. I do not know if this answer has received the publicity that it deserves and I am happy to be sharing it in this publication.

Some background: One of the fascinating Chassidim of the Rebbe, in the early years of the nesius, was Rabbi Uriel Tzimmer.

In short (as there are many articles written about his work for the Rebbe): Reb Uriel Tzimmer was a fascinating personality. Possessing a brilliant mind, he was fluent in some seventeen languages and many secular subjects, and was equally versed in Shas and poskim. On top of all that, he was a dedicated Chossid of the Rebbe. His many talents and unique persona earned him a special place in 770. He worked in mazkirus, and was often sent by the Rebbe on mysterious shlichus’n, the nature of which remains unknown to this day.

Reb Uriel’s soul returned to its Maker on Tes Kislev 5722, at the young age of 42. Leaving no children, the Rebbe personally arranged for someone to recite kaddish in his memory. During his last hours, this dedicated Chossid was repeatedly heard calling out, “Rebbe! Rebbe!” Those were his last words in this world.”

Rabbi Tzimmer was very involved with many different circles and segments of Orthodox Judaism. People would send him letters and articles about Chabad, many were negative, and he would send them to the Rebbe. In general the Rebbe would not respond. “ “I would have to leave everything and open an entire newspaper just to respond to all the falsehoods which are reported. I don’t see any gain from that, nor is that my job,” the Rebbe said.

In 5715, he forwarded a very sharply-written letter – which was extremely disrespectful of Chabad and the Rebbe personally – to the Rebbe. At the end of that letter, the author wrote the following: “I am scared about the direction that the Chabad movement is heading (under the current Rebbe)”.

To this statement, the Rebbe responded (Igros volume 10 page 268 #3229):

“Let your heart be reassured that Hashem, who watches over everything in creation with hashgacha pratis (which is the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov) will save (and protect) the members of Chabad from all the dangers that stand in their way. He will also save them from all those that try to slander them. The Chabad movement is experienced in these matters – from the time of its founding by the Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe until these days”.

This letter is extremely reassuring: While we do need to grapple with community leadership, and not every action taken by a young bachur is 100% correct, we should not be worried about the future of Chabad. The Rebbe, the eternal leader of Chabad, takes responsibility and the movement is only getting stronger and the goal of the movement – preparing the world for Moshiach – will actualize in the most literal way.

To finish with a letter (that I already printed in the past) to Rabbi Avraham Pariz (who wrote to the Rebbe that if he does not take the Nesius, “what will be the future of Chabad”):  “What will be? What do I know? What the Rebbe is thinking is his responsibility; he will surely take care of it. How? I don’t know. There are other things that I also don’t know.” (Igros volume 3 page 308 #615).

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by sending me a personal email: [email protected]

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