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Grateful for Love and Joy at Princeton

When the Lubavitcher Rebbe began his innovative campaign of inspiring the Jewish people, he coined new terms for his Jewish activists – Shaliach and Shlucha. The literal meaning of these words is messenger, or emissary. We are here as extensions of the Rebbe. And the Rebbe’s recurring theme was to bring people the joy of Judaism.
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November 21, 2022
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I once asked a dear friend who went to Princeton what it was that drove him to make meaningful changes in his Jewish activities. He told me that a story I once told him hit him so deeply that he decided this was his place. He could not recall the story I told, only the feeling it garnered. This speaks to the majesty of what our work is. It is not about us. It is about our connection to above and about the joy with which we present it.

When the Lubavitcher Rebbe began his innovative campaign of inspiring the Jewish people, he coined new terms for his Jewish activists – Shaliach and Shlucha. The literal meaning of these words is messenger, or emissary. We are here as extensions of the Rebbe. And the Rebbe’s recurring theme was to bring people the joy of Judaism.

The feeling matters. When we wake up in the morning, there is a traditional prayer that reads, “Modeh ani lefanecha melech chai vekayam shehechezarta bi nishmasi bechaemla rabba emunasecha,” or “I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great.” (Chabad.org translation)

These are not mere words. These are words that create emotion. First, a feeling of reverence, perhaps even awe. When we think about how incredible it is that we are created by G-d and how insignificant we are relative to all His creations, we can bring ourselves to be struck with a feeling of respect for our Creator and a desire to refrain from doing anything that will damage our relationship.

But then, as we continue to think, we begin to feel another emotion. We begin to be suffused with joy. We can consider that the all-seeing and all-powerful G-d decided that WE are a big deal! He created US! That arouses with us a sense of love and excitement and a desire to act. That feeling motivates us to do a mitzvah.

Sitting at the International Conference of Shluchim, I am struck by this recurring theme of joy. It is everywhere around me. The dancing, the energy, the twinkling eyes as each Shaliach gets up and shares a story, a thought, an idea.

This week’s Torah portion speaks about the descendants of Isaac. Indeed, the entire Torah portion is called “Toldot” which means descendants. Notably, it is not the first Torah portion to begin with this word. That prize goes to the Torah portion of Noah – more appropriately Toldot Noah – the descendants of Noah.

Noah means “relaxed” or “calm.” Isaac means “will make others laugh.” Calm is good. But it will not change the world. Bubbling over with happiness can, though.

If we see ourselves as children of Noah, we will not have as many descendants. As children of Isaac, as people who spend our lives bringing the joy of Judaism to everyone around us, we will not only change ourselves and our families, but we will affect our immediate surroundings and even the world at large.

I see this at Princeton. Regardless of anything negative that may happen in the outside world, the impact of singing Shalom Aleichem at a Shabbat dinner here in the orange bubble cannot be overstated. It is the singing and the happiness that then translates into studying the texts of the Jewish people, into building Jewish pride, into deepening our learning and even traveling to Israel.

As we arrive at Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my role as a Shaliach. I am enthused to be connected to the most joyous and optimistic of Jewish leaders and look forward to singing and dancing with you. Perhaps at Princeton? The Jewish community is vibrant here. Come and visit.


Rabbi Eitan Webb has directed Chabad at Princeton University since its inception in 2002. He is a member of the board of directors of the Chabad on Campus International Foundation.

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