I traveled the world this week. On Monday evening, I was in Bucharest, invited to lecture at an event organized by Chabad House Romania in honor of the Rebbe, marking 30 years since his passing. On Tuesday morning, I flew from there to New York to be at the 'Ohel', the Rebbe's resting place, on the 30th yahrzeit. By Thursday morning, I was already home in Basel, and tonight we will host 25 guests at our table.
Everywhere I went, I met Jews, mostly Chabadniks or people connected to Chabad. In every place, I encountered a lot of pain but also a lot of hope. In everyone, I saw the weight of October 7th, but simultaneously the weight of responsibility—the responsibility that leads to positive action. I saw the people of Israel, who know how to lift their heads in any situation, the Jews who know how to endure but immediately move forward and not stop. To experience the pain and solidarity and still remain joyful and hopeful that things will be good. Because that's how it is, that's who we are. Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zalman Wishedski