A Conclusion In Manhattan

By Sarah Schmerler

We all know the true reward that awaits us for the performance of a mitzvah: the ability (and enthusiasm) to perform more mitzvos.

Now, what’s the reward for the completion of a mitzvah — specifically, the one given by the Rebbe in 5744, that we study all of Rambam (over the course of either one year, or three)? The desire to keep up the good work, of course!

If the reaction of the all-shluchim crowd gathered last Sunday at Chabad of Midtown Manhattan is any indication, ‘completion’ is just another word for ‘renewed vigor’ — a 30 year study of Rambam being its own reward, his crystalline commentaries infused with the very essence of the fulfillment of Torah.

The mood was decidedly uplifting at the event, sponsored by Rabbi Moshe Katzman in honor of his late father, and held at New York’s very crossroads, overlooking Fifth Avenue.

Each speaker who stepped up the podium had his own ‘take, his own experience to relate from having dipped deeply over the last 3 decades into limud HaRambam.

Rabbi Aaron Raskin of the Chabad of Brooklyn Heights, the day’s M.C., wasted no time — invoking the words of the Rebbe, himself.

“The Rebbe told us that 30 represents a new era,” said Raskin, “an era that is incomparable to the one previous in its greatness; The Rebbe evoked the Tzemach Tzedek’s teachings, that 30 represent the ten internal lights, the ten all-encompassing lights, and the ten that are higher than all the internal and all-encompassing lights, combined.

“There are 30 levels to kingship,” he continued, “and 30 blasts of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. And, furthermore, when our king Moshiach comes, he too will blow the great shofar to herald in the Redemption.”

He then introduced the day’s host, Rabbi Yehoshua Metzger, who enthusiastically asserted all present to be conscious of the fact that, rather than being a public event, this is a gathering for the shulchai Hamelech in the capitol city of capitol cities, from which the Rebbe, himself, issued the campaign 30 years ago. “We should utilize our coming together as a vessel,” he said, “to bring about Yehoshua Vhatzalah — for all.”

Rabbi Sholom Ber Hecht gave the Divrei Bracha, and Rabbi Yisroel Kugel the Dvar Torah, and then, what everyone had been waiting for, Rabbi Zushe Winner, the Siyum HaRambam.

“Why does the final chapter (Chapter 12) of the final book of Rambam concern itself with Kingship?” he asked. “Because, while a prophet is one through whom G-d speaks, he is an individual; a King’s influence, however, impacts the whole world. A king has the power to bring the whole Torah to every simple Jew, and it is our job, as shluchim, to our king, the Rebbe, to fulfill his teachings; we must impact our communities with the genuine teachings of Torah embodied by the Rambam and his works.”

There were L’Chaims, of course, and more amazing words: from Rabbi Avrohom Hertz, Rabbi Pesach Schmerling, and finally by Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasniasnky who added one more insight into Rambam and the way in which his words are the very essence of renewal.

“The Rambam writes in the final chapter that, in the time of Moshiach, ‘the world will not change.’ What does this mean? It means, not that the world will not change, ” he clarified, “but that the world will return to its original state; its very nature being one of peace and tranquility. Everyone understood, after investing so much time and energy in their own corner of the city, exactly what he meant.

“Namely, that the Rebbe had the right idea when he put us all on the ‘same page’: every Torah conversation had in the unified study of Rambam, was another step toward the Unity and peace achieved for each and every Jew in the coming Age.”

Raskin concluded his M.C. duties with one rather practical incentive: he’d told his constituents that he’d personally buy a complete set of Rambam in English (book by individual book, mind you) for any congregant willing to take on the task for him- or herself.

Any takers? The next 30 years begins now.