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by Rabbi Levi Liberow, Beis Moshiach Magazine

The Essential Role of Activism

Avrohom Avinu was not the first believer. There were teachers before him who were great believers and tzaddikim like Adam, and later his own teachers, Noach, Shem and Eiver. So why was Avrohom the first Jew? The answer lies in a fundamental distinction: Avrohom was an activist.

He took his message out to the world, not satisfied with worshiping and practicing alone. Being a Jew, from its very inception, has meant not merely worshipping Hashem but being an activist for Him.

Throughout history, the most consequential societal transformations have always been driven by individuals who refuse to accept the status quo. These change agents, and not the silent majority, are those who drive transformation.

This reality underlies the Rebbe’s repeated calls for activism in spreading Yiddishkeit (aka shlichus, mivtzaim, hafatzas ha’maayanos) and particularly regarding Moshiach. In his famous Chof Ches Nissan sicha of 5751 (1991), the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach spoke about this imperative directly, giving over to everyone a personal mission: “I have done all that I can; now I give it over to each of you—do everything within your ability to bring Moshiach.” This historic moment marked a clear call to activism for every individual.

The Challenges of Activism

Despite its necessity, people naturally shy away from activism for two main reasons.

First, activists are often perceived as annoying—they disrupt the comfortable flow of everyday life, challenge norms, and refuse to “let people live.”

Second, activism is inherently divisive—it creates opposing camps, polarizes communities, and sometimes tears apart the very social fabric it aims to improve. By taking a strong stand, activists inevitably create resistance and opposition, which most people instinctively avoid.

This aversion to activism manifests even in communities theoretically aligned with the message. We once ran in the Beis Moshiach kids section, a comic strip showing someone beginning conversations with “Moshiach now.” When a subscriber canceled their subscription specifically citing this comic, it revealed a deep discomfort with outspoken advocacy, even from those who ostensibly shared the same goals.

It so happens that this comic strip was based upon a sicha of the Rebbe  (Parshas Tzav, Shabbos Hagadol 5745, Sec. 22) which he discussed this very aversion from activism. “Many argue that activism should be approached indirectly” said the Rebbe.

“When trying to influence others, one should behave like a gentleman… First, one must say hello and ask how they’re doing… then inquire about their wife and family, ask about their livelihood, what they’ve done and what they plan to do, etc. Only then should one begin to discuss matters of Yiddishkeit, starting from the ABC’s, eventually reaching ‘the end of days’, [and tell him] that Moshiach is soon coming…”

“…To start by shouting ‘Moshiach Now’ – is a strange behavior… What impression, he argues, will shouting ‘Moshiach Now’ make?!”

This conventional wisdom suggests that direct, passionate advocacy is counterproductive—that it alienates rather than attracts. But the Rebbe proposed something different than both these models.

The Solution: A New Model of Activism

On Chof Ches Nissan, the Rebbe called for doing all we can “in a way of Oros d’Tohu but in Keilim d’Tikkun”—the powerful lights of Tohu (chaos/intensity) channeled into vessels of Tikkun (order/refinement). This concept suggests harnessing passionate revolutionary energy while expressing it through refined, constructive channels that align with societal norms.

I think a good way to explain these kabbalistic terms in layman’s words would be to continue to quote from that Parshas Tzav 5745 sicha:

“The opposite is correct! When a completely normal person — dressed like a normal person and speaking like a normal person —  suddenly begins to proclaim ‘Moshiach Now’, precisely this behavior is what affects and awakens in others their inner essence, for in truth, their soul too cries out ‘Moshiach Now’!…”

This balanced approach describes an activist who is also someone who is “Adam Min HaYishuv”—a civilized, well-presented person who conducts themselves with dignity. But, importantly, this balanced activist is still unmistakably an activist. What makes him distinctive is not that he blends in completely, but that his message visibly bursts forth from him in a way that remains approachable and compelling. He doesn’t alienate others because he has channeled that energy constructively.

Unlike “career activists” (sometimes referred to as “professional demonstrators”) who abandon normal life—forgoing family, career, and community responsibilities—such people are recognizable as activists without being scary, divisive, or annoying.

The Rebbe’s activism model is activism integrated into everyday living. Yiddishkeit doesn’t believe in activism that rejects normal life; rather, it believes in bringing Torah and spiritual awareness into every aspect of life.

With Hashem’s help, we’ll return to discuss this further in a future column. But for now, be the Rebbe’s kind of activist. Your Whatsapp status, for example, shouldn’t be one that people skip because they don’t understand what exactly you want from them, or feel like a Moshiach website in status format, but it should be abundantly clear to anyone who sees it that you are that meshuganer everyone loves and secretly wishes they were too.

Avrohom Avinu, besides being an activist, was a husband, father, successful businessman and full-time host. That’s why he succeeded in building a nation.

***

Beis Moshiach magazine can be obtained in stores around Crown Heights. To purchase a subscription, please go to: bmoshiach.org

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