Today is Yud Shevat is the anniversary of the passing of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, and the ascension to leadership of his son-in-law, the Rebbe king moshiach shlita.
On the day of his official acceptance of leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch, the Rebbe shlita recited a Chasidic discourse that stated uniquivocally that our generation is the last generation of exile and the first generation of the Redemption. This statement, and the campaign to bring about the Redemption, set the entire tone for the Rebbe's leadership.
A little more than four decades after the first discourse, the Rebbe shlita issued the following impassioned call to his followers and to the entire Jewish and world community:
"How is it that Moshiach has still not come? Why are we still in a state of galut (exile)? Why is our world still a place in which evil and suffering still prevail?
"Why is it acceptable that the Redemption should not come tonight, nor tomorrow, nor the day after, G-d forbid? The Jewish nation are 'a stiff-necked people.' Were there to be found even a few individuals who would adamantly insist on bringing Moshiach, he would have certainly long arrived!
"What more can I do? I have done all I can to bring the world to truly demand and clamor for the Redemption. But it seems that all my efforts have been in vain. We are still in exile and, more significantly, in an internal galut of clouded vision and distorted priorities.
"I have done all I can. I am handing over the task to you: Do everything in your power to bring our righteous redeemer, immediately!
"It is not sufficient to mouth slogans. You must take action. It is my fervent hope that amongst you there will be found one, two or three people who will figure out what to do and how to do it.
"I'm leaving it to you. It is up to each and every one of you to bring about the Redemption. It is in your hands to bring Moshiach."
At this auspicious time, let each one of us consider what we can do to bring about the Redemption and Moshiach, NOW!
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