Is There Any Effort That Is Too Arduous
By Rabbi Yitzchok Gansburg

In recent years, the Rebbe emphasized that we can examine the world around us and see how the world is actually progressing towards the Redemption. Among other things, the Rebbe said that even the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching that “the world is G-dliness and
G-dliness is the world,” is revealed in the world today.

Recently, I decided to explain this concept for those who don’t even have a minimal knowledge of Judaism. I concluded that there was a need for a video that would clarify the topic in an interesting and simple manner. After great effort I managed to put together $20,000 for the project and I went to a well-known producer and asked him to make a video production for me.

We began working together and after getting very involved in the project, the producer told me that the amount of money I was prepared to invest would only cover a ten-minute film. This certainly wouldn’t allow us to convey such a deep subject properly. He thought we needed $50,000.

I had no idea where I could obtain such a huge sum of money, but I decided I had to carry on. As we worked together, I noticed that the producer seemed bothered by something. Our relationship was close enough that I felt I could ask him what was on his mind. He told me that years had gone by since he had his last child and he really wanted a son.

I recalled an incident. On Simchas Torah over ten years ago, I saw the Rebbe motion to one of the people dancing Hakafos to come over to him. “the Sages say,” said the Rebbe, “that Hashem judges measure for measure. Until now you have conducted yourself precisely according to measure, and Hashem has responded in kind. Begin conducting yourself beyond the exact measure, and then you can demand that Hashem deal with you likewise.”

I told this story to the producer and said that I was sure that if he wrote a letter to the Rebbe and informed him of a resolution that went beyond the norm for him, and he asked for the Rebbe’s bracha, that he would be answered in kind. The producer thought about it and said, “You are right. I will go beyond what I can do and cover the remaining $30,000 for the film from my own pocket, and in exchange I will ask the Rebbe to respond in kind and bless me to have another child.”

We wrote a letter to the Rebbe, and after putting it in a volume of Igros Kodesh, I said I was sure that his request was accepted and that the Rebbe had already blessed him. He nodded and we continued working on the film.

We met shortly thereafter and this time the producer’s mood was greatly improved. There was no happier man than he when he told me that the Rebbe’s bracha had indeed been beyond the precise measure...

* * *

Perhaps this story is not a general lesson for everybody in every situation, but we Chassidim did receive a similar directive: Do all in your power – in a manner of oros d’Tohu in keilim d’Tikkun – to actually bring Moshiach Tzidkeinu immediately!

When it came to the ten mitzva campaigns, despite the Rebbe’s koch in them, the Rebbe never spoke about them in terms of “do all in your power.” It’s only regarding Moshiach that the Rebbe used this expression, and even added that he was referring to things that are considered oros d’Tohu.

With all the mivtzaim, the Rebbe sufficed with measured work, but when it came to Moshiach, which is something that is beyond measure, we are required to go beyond measure to achieve it.

Evidently, we haven’t done all in our power yet. The Rebbe isn’t revealed to all and we are still in exile. There’s no question that we must galvanize ourselves and wake up the world to the necessity for preparing for Moshiach, until we merit to see the Rebbe and the third Beis HaMikdash.

* * *

If we want to see a glimpse of light within the darkness, however, we can observe the Tmimim, the Chayalei Beis Dovid, who use every spare moment for learning inyanei Moshiach and Geula, and for hafatzas besuras ha’ Geula. Of course, this is not at the expense of the sedarim in yeshiva.

But the Tmimim are not exhibits in a museum for us to observe and admire. We Anash must follow their example and begin conducting our lives around one thing only: bringing Moshiach. Each of us must sit and think for a moment, we must pause in our busy lives and ponder: When was the last time I went out on mivtzaim? When was the last time I spoke to someone in my immediate circle about the besuras ha’Geula? When was the last time I sat and learned inyanei Moshiach and Geula on my own or at a shiur? And even when was the last time I sat down with my children and discussed their preparations for Moshiach’s coming?

Each of us must make a personal accounting: Why are the Tmimim the ones who go out on mivtzaim on Fridays? Why don’t I go? Why is it that on the way to work I don’t try to talk to Jews who work on the same street, and try to convince them to put on t’fillin or to do some other mitzva to hasten the Redemption? Why don’t I begin every encounter with other businessmen or with customers by sharing some of the Rebbe’s teachings about Geula?

Of course, the point of all this is not to just feel bad. After this accounting, we have to come to the conclusion that we must all go beyond the norm, even if it’s difficult and seems sometimes like too big a sacrifice. We must do all we can because we are working for something that goes beyond the norm: the true and complete Redemption.

The Rebbe once said we have to yearn for the Redemption. Perhaps it is challenging for some of us to yearn for something we haven’t seen or experienced, but we have all had experiences with the Rebbe. I am sure that if before everything we do, we think that this action will hasten the moment in which we will merit to see the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach, then all the obstacles and excuses will melt away.

This is what the Rebbe wrote about yearning to see the Rebbe Rayatz (Igros Kodesh, Vol. 4, p. 120): “They should contemplate that this holds up the Redemption, the Resurrection of the Dead, and seeing the Rebbe Rayatz with the Rebbe his father, etc., etc. Don’t you yearn for this? Is there any effort that is too arduous for you, as long as you attain this? And this is meant literally, not facetiously.”

* * *

We call this month Menachem Av, preceding the actual name of the month with the word Menachem, although one would think that it would be the other way around, that the actual name of the month would precede any addition. The Rebbe tells us that this is because the essential point of the month is actually Menachem, which is the name of Moshiach, who should immediately come and redeem us. Only then is there the reference to Av, referring to our Father in Heaven.

We mention Moshiach, “whose name is Menachem,” throughout this month, which arouses our yearning to see his face once again. May this happen immediately!

I am sure that if before everything we do, we think that this action will hasten the moment in which we will merit to see the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach, then all the obstacles and excuses will melt away.