Lubavitch
Youth Organization Marks 45 Years
Tzeirei
Agudas Chabad, Lubavitch Youth Organization, celebrated its 45th
birthday on Beis Iyar, the birthday of the Rebbe Maharash. The farbrengen
in 770 began with a Dvar Malchus, a video in which the
Rebbe speaks about the special qualities of the Rebbe Maharash, and how
his famous saying, “l‘chatchila aribber,” applies to
every one of us.
Rabbi
Shmuel Kuperman, a member of the kollel, spoke about the
significance of Beis Iyar. He mentioned that the title tza’ir
(youth), as in Tzeirei Agudas Chabad, applies not only to young people,
but to all who are young in spirit and energy. Rabbi Kuperman then
introduced Rabbi Dovid Raskin, chairman of Lubavitch Youth Organization
and spiritual director of Merkaz HaYeshivos Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch,
and a member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad. Rabbi Raskin has been chairman
of Lubavitch Youth since the day it was founded.
Rabbi
Raskin gave an overview of the work of Lubavitch Youth, explaining that
the Rebbe founded it to prepare the world for Geula. For this
reason, all Lubavitcher Chassidim must devote all their energies towards
fulfilling the Rebbe’s intent and actually bring the Geula.
In
the L.Y.O founding letter, Rabbi Raskin related, the Rebbe described two
aspects of the institution’s mission: avoda with one’s self
and avoda with others, which correspond to preparing oneself and
the entire world for Geula.
Rabbi
Raskin noted the accomplishments of mivtzaim and mentioned the Tahalucha
to Jewish neighborhoods on Sh’vii Shel Pesach, and the upcoming
Tahalucha scheduled for Shavuos. Then Rabbi Raskin recalled the
early days of the Rebbe’s nesius, when he actually organized
the Rebbe’s first farbrengen. On Beis Nissan 5710, he and some
friends asked the Rebbe to farbreng. The Rebbe said he would farbreng
the following month on Beis Iyar. “None of us know the Rebbe’s
reasons, but the fact is that the Rebbe’s first farbrengen
after Yud Shvat 5710 took place on Beis Iyar.”
Later,
the Rebbe said that despite the fact that he was discussing the founding
of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad on Shabbos Mevarchim Iyar 5715 (1955), the
actual founding of the organization should take place on Beis Iyar.
Thus, Lubavitch Youth Organization has a special connection with Beis
Iyar, l’chatchila aribber.
Rabbi
Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, spoke about the
accomplishments of the organization and about the special activities
that took place this past year in conjunction with Iggud Talmidei
HaYeshivos. This collaboration started the year off by assisting
thousands of Jews in observing the mitzva of Arba Minim,
and continued with Mivtza Chanuka, an extensive Mivtza Purim, and a
special farbrengen in honor of the Rebbe’s 98th birthday.
Rabbi
Butman stressed that since Beis Iyar is within the same week as
Chaf-Ches Nissan, the two are connected. On Chaf-Ches Nissan the Rebbe
told us do everything possible to bring Moshiach, and Beis Iyar is the
idea of l’chatchila aribber. The lesson is obvious: We must do
all we can to bring Moshiach in a way of l‘chatchila aribber!
Rabbi
Butman noted that this is the 45th year (Mem-Hei) since the
founding of Lubavitch Youth Organization Chassidus explains that Mem-Hei
signifies chochma, which is the idea of bittul,
ko’ach mah. Along with bittul, chochma also alludes
to the concept of strength. Indeed, Moshe Rabbeinu was both the epitome
of humility and bittul as well as tremendous strength of
character (“If not, then please erase me from Your book which You
wrote”).
Although
we must have an attitude of “what are we and who are we,” we must
remember that the Rebbe gave us the job of preparing the world for Geula,
and gave us the abilities to do so. With the Rebbe’s kochos we
can accomplish this with the greatest strength, and prepare ourselves
and the entire world for the true and complete Redemption.
Program
director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel,
described the organization’s work throughout the year, emphasizing the
work done with young people. He spoke at length about pegishos
with Chabad and about the upcoming fifth pegisha. Rabbi Kastel
also stressed their collaboration with the New York shluchim,
whose outreach extends to a number of hospitals and colleges in the
area.
Rabbi
Peretz Feigenson, who is in charge of shiurim for Lubavitch Youth
Organization, spoke about the special quality of Torah study,
particularly in large groups. As we stand poised on the threshold of
Redemption, Torah study is even more critical, for it further hastens
Moshiach’s coming.
Rabbi
Yekusiel Rapp, director of the Beis Chabad at Kennedy Airport and mashgiach
at Tomchei Tmimim - 770, described his work at the airport. “This
work is so important because at the airport we meet people from all over
the world and from all segments of Jewish society.” Rabbi Rapp
stressed the special mission of our time: to greet Moshiach now!
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