It’s not every Shabbos my East Denver community is teeming with chassidim. What a treat to have in our midst some three dozen emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe who are in town for a regional conference.
Rabbi Moshe Feller of Minnesota addressed the congregation during morning services. A dynamic septuagenarian on shlichus since the early 1960’s, he is among the Rebbe’s senior shluchim. In fact, Rabbi Feller joked he was asked to speak for one reason alone… age.
I heard three main points in his talk:
* Every Jew -Kohen, Levi and Yisroel included- has an inherent ability to bless other Jews, and should be constantly doing so.
* One should constantly strive for joy, and be contagiously spreading joy.
* There is no greater joy in the world than being a Jew.
The shaliach told a powerful personal vignette going back nine years ago when he was involved in guiding a young woman through her conversion process. After a long period of intensive study and preparation, the big day finally arrived. Upon seeing her dear mentor for the first time upon immersion from the holy waters of the mikveh, she exulted loudly, in uncontrollable joy:
“Rabbi Feller, I’m Jewish!”
Deeply moved, Rabbi Feller wondered why in his sixty-five plus years in this world he’d never exulted in his Jewishness quite like this most recent member of the Jewish people.
Shortly thereafter he addressed over one-thousand “black hats” and challenged them to do so with the raw joy and purity of the young woman moments after her mikveh immersion.
Rabbi Feller told another story involving a chassid going through rough times, confiding his sadness to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
“But didn’t you make a blessing this morning praising Hashem for making you a Jew?”
In the rhetorical question the Rebbe did not mean to trivialize very real problems his chassid was undergoing, but rather give perspective that reflection upon being a Jew is cause alone for an utter euphoria which can potentially eclipse material problems of this world.
So let us exult together.
Do it right now.
Upon reading these words, turn heavenward and declare in joy: “I’M JEWISH!”
no, ZP, you’re the best! See you in D-Town soon, iy”H
Two words: Simply Beautiful:)
Very inspiring. Perfect timing for our souls-Shavous is here!
Thank you.
Feivel very Inspiring! And the Letter, it came. you’re the best!
ZP
I’m very grateful you published my piece. Thanks for the kind comments above, too.
I was very inspired by Rabbi Feller’s talk and had to share it with the oilam!
Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu!
It’s so good to be a Yid!
Put everything in perspective. Always be joyas, but sometimes a little more then other times.
hooray!!!!!!!!!
Wow. Thanks for posting. We should be reminded of such important things.
Rabbi feller is a real shliach according to the definition of a shliach truly representing the mashalaiach kol hakovod
i’m a jew and i’m proud and i’ll sing outloud!
good job Fievel beautifully written!!!!
from your denver buddys