A few days ago I was stopped by a gentleman in a parking lot. He noticed my Kippah and asked if I could help him find a place where he could purchase items for Passover. But it turned out it wasn't just a random stranger, it was Cliff––a man I had met at an event 17 years ago. I told him to stop at Chabad and we would be happy to help him.
Cliff visited yesterday, and we spent some time with special prayers for Ukraine, for Israel, for New York, and for world peace. What made these moments even more meaningful, is that they occurred on the 120th birthday of my mentor, the Rebbe, of blessed memory.
The Rebbe saw the soul, the essential goodness and G-dliness, in everyone. He taught us to make the world brighter and kinder by helping others. That’s what drove Ettie and me also to establish this home, this center of living, loving kindness for the entire community. Yes, we love Naples and Marco and you are family. We are here for each other in good, and unfortunately unhappy situations. Today my children and I are out delivering matzah and connecting with our fellow community members; making sure to take the opportunity to brighten someone's day.
The Rebbe listened to every person without discriminating over age, size, color, race, or gender. He accepted and cherished all people as divine creations chosen by G-d. He cared for the Ukrainian refugee, the Prime Minister of Israel, the atheist in Alaska and the broken teenager from New York equally. To the Rebbe, each individual had infinite value and a unique light to share with the world.
He reminded us that we all share the same divine source and are therefore connected. G-d runs the world and there are no accidents. He ensured that when Cliff needed Passover supplies, there would be a familiar face to help him.
The Rebbe’s care and his love, the Rebbe's message, his example and teachings remain a living inspiration to us all. Regardless of where we may be in our individual journeys, today we take a moment to reflect on how we can better ourselves, and become closer to our real self––our divine soul that rests inside of us and makes the world a better place.
Yesterday marked 120 years since G-d gave us the precious gift of this special man.
Take a moment to choose one good deed you can do in the Rebbe’s honor. His memory should not only be a blessing, but a prime example of how we can live a meaningful life.
And if you need some matzah or tefillin––or anything else––just let us know. Be like Cliff and stop by Chabad Naples!