Timeless Torah

Having just returned from Crown Heights in Brooklyn, where thousands of Chassidim had converged to commemorate the second yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s passing, my thoughts these past few days were perhaps more reflective than usual. In addition to recommitting myself to the ideals the Rebbe held so dear, I could not help but indulge in thinking about his predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson, whose freedom from Communist Russia we celebrate this Shabbat, the twelfth day of Tammuz.
Why did these two individuals become the acknowledged leaders of world Jewry in their lifetimes? And why were they held in such esteem, that their disciples were willing, upon their Rebbes’ advice, to leave friends and family in order that they set up outposts of Judaism? Rabbi Jonathan Sachs, Chief Rabbi of England, surmises that the secret lies in the fact that the Rebbes never created a legion of followers, but rather a cadre of able leaders.
So how does one inspire leadership? First and foremost, by seeing the goodness in each and every person. This does not mean that we are ignorant of other people’s faults. It just recognizes that one can elevate others to greatness more effectively if we believe in their potential rather than telling them of their imperfections. The Rebbes however went beyond informing others of their faith in man. They empowered their Chassidim, by enlisting them in their army of Shluchim (emissaries). These assignments were handed out to every Lubavitcher Chassid, whether you worked in Manhattan in the garment district or moved to Yerevan, Armenia to teach Jewish children. Ask any Chabadnik and you will hear their sense of mission - to make the world a better place and prepare it for the ultimate Redemption.
The capacity to see the best in another human being is a time-honored Chassidic knack. One of the Chassidic masters most famous for this, was Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev who had the ability to favorably interpret even obvious sinful behavior. On one occasion he heard two thieves conversing about the stolen loot they had hidden. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s observation, “No doubt they wish to repent and are confessing to each other.”
However if the truth be told, this propensity for judging others in a good light was first introduced long before the advent of Chassidism. In this week’s Biblical portion, the evil sorcerer Bilam, is forced to admit that G-d Himself, “Perceived no iniquity in Jacob and saw no falsehood in Israel.”
Of course you may object to this entire Timeless Torah and start pointing out where the Jews have been derelict in upholding the Torah and doing the mitzvos. To this accusation I would like to echo what Rabbi Levi Yitzchok once replied. “Master of the Universe! If we are guilty it is because we are confused and oppressed by the long, bitter exile. Give us the Messiah and you will see our devotion.”