Last week, we studied a discourse by the Rebbe, King Moshiach, on the Torah portion Vayeitzei, discussing how we are in the era of Redemption and can reveal our deepest essence. This manifests in the simplicity of every Jew.
Around this time, I witnessed two incidents illustrating this state.
At the beginning of the month of Kislev, I planned to attend a farbrengen at the MAMASH centre and stopped in Kfar-Chabad to pick up two friends. As I arrived at the agreed location, a car pulled up beside me, and a woman in jeans (indicating she wasn’t from Kfar Chabad) approached me:
„Wait, I've been chasing you from the highway and want to ask — what's written on your flag?“
Honestly, I couldn't believe my ears at first. But my friends were already beside me and could attest that it happened just so.
I replied that it's the Moshiach flag, and she prepared to leave. Noticing her accent, I realised she was from the former Soviet Union and began speaking to her in Russian. She asked me for a Moshiach flag, which I had in my car, and I also gave her a new newspaper and a car sticker. After that, she left, and we stood there, mouths agape. This is a true yearning for Moshiach...
The second incident occurred at work. For over 15 years, we've held a public Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony, for which I was made responsible. I always strive to have those who seemingly don't light candles at home participate.
Last year, on one of the days, I asked a young man named Guy, who initially refused but then agreed. At first glance, Guy has no connection to the commandments.
At the beginning of this month, Guy approached me, saying he wants to light a Hanukkah candle this year and asked me to ensure he gets the opportunity. I was surprised, as the holiday was still three weeks away — what suddenly reminded him of this?
The next day, he stopped me and began reciting the candle-lighting blessing from memory, then asked, „Did I learn it correctly?“ It was simply astonishing.
But when we studied the Rebbe's discourse last week, it mentioned that the revelation of essence can be achieved through lighting the Hanukkah menorah. It turns out this happened with Guy last year...
May it be G-d's will that this happens with each of us, hastening the arrival of the Redemption, the stage at which we already find ourselves.