Rabbi Shmuly Begun
Chabad of Tierrasanta
SAN DIEGO — On a Sunday morning in March 1986, a man with a pressing matter waited outside the Rebbe’s home on President Street in Brooklyn. Unable to secure a timely private audience, he took the opportunity to speak with the Rebbe as he was leaving his home. He quickly explained his situation and received the Rebbe’s guidance before the Rebbe continued on his way. Witnesses standing outside criticized the man for interrupting the Rebbe, whose schedule was very demanding.
Feeling terrible, the man wrote a letter of apology. The Rebbe responded: “The Baal Shem Tov taught that a soul may descend to this world for seventy or eighty years simply to perform a single act of kindness for another. Perhaps my entire purpose in this world was fulfilled by helping you during those few minutes.”
This Shabbat, the 10th of Shevat, marks a significant anniversary: the day in 1951 when the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, assumed leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
From the very beginning of his leadership, the Rebbe emphasized and exemplified Ahavat Yisrael – the love of one’s fellow Jew. This wasn’t just a theoretical concept; the Rebbe brought it to a new, practical level. He demonstrated it through his tireless dedication to every individual, regardless of their background or affiliation. He saw the inherent worth in every person and fostered a sense of responsibility and connection among all Jews.
The Rebbe’s teachings and actions weren’t confined to synagogues or classrooms. He instilled this principle of Ahavat Yisrael into the very core of Jewish consciousness. It became a driving force behind countless initiatives, from educational programs and social services to outreach efforts that touched lives around the globe. He made Ahavat Yisrael a tangible, lived experience, woven into the fabric of Jewish life.
Ahavat Yisrael became the unifying force behind Chabad’s global network, the largest and fastest growing Jewish organization. Transcending geographical and cultural boundaries, Chabad connects to Jews worldwide through a shared sense of responsibility and belonging. It is the Rebbe’s example that inspires and empowers the 3,500 Chabad centers in over 100 countries around the world, including 25 in San Diego County.
Never underestimate the power of a single act of kindness.
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Rabbi Shmuly Begun is spiritual leader of Chabad of Tierrasanta.