Humbly Together

In this week's parsha, Korach, we read about the rebellion of Korach against Moshe. Eventually Korach died being swallowed alive by the earth. 

By all accounts Korach was a religious man and a Torah scholar. What moves a man like him to rebel against Moshe, who was installed by Hashem as the leader of the Jewish people? Why was he swallowed by the earth? 

It is not enough to be religious and learned in Torah. There is a third ingredient that is necessary and that is humility. When one is ego driven he is doomed to fail. All the Torah in the world won't help from being swallowed alive by his ego. Not being able to see anyone other than himself, he even fails to recognize the true leader of the Jewish people. This is the route of all divisiveness. He knows  that everything Moshe does is Hashem's will but his ego doesn't want to recognize Hashem's authority either. Recognizing Moshe's authority is recognizing Hashem's authority. 

While this example is extreme, it is something we could learn from. When you feel like you are getting the raw end of a situation. Before starting an argument, ask yourself, is this truly unfair or is this my ego rearing his ugly head? 

Being humble will be your salvation in all your relationships. At home, at work, at shul and everywhere else. It will also help you overcome life's challenges because instead of thinking "why me?", you will think "Hashem put me in this predicament, what is His reason for putting me here? What does He want me to gain from this situation? How would He want me to use my situation to effect others positively?" etc. 

Being humble does not mean feeble, week or insignificant. Being humble means that you can recognize the other, not only yourself. It means you are not alone. It means that you feel that Hashem is always with you. 
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I grew up by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, it was easy to see that he was the leader of the Jewish People. 

Since I was a young yeshiva student, I've felt that the greatest accomplishment was to do what the Rebbe wants. 

However, There was a competing need, the need to be in the presence of the Rebbe. 

To be by the Rebbe, or to do his holy work?

Though I was in his presence on many occasions, from the age of 16, whenever I had to choose, between doing the Rebbe's work, and being in his presence, doing his work always won out. I felt that being by the Rebbe, was for me, while doing his work, was for him. 

It seemed clear, That to be the Rebbe's soldier, accomplishing what he wanted, was by far more important. 

Gimmel Tammuz, 21 years ago, some were shattered, broken, and it took them some time to pick up the pieces, and figure out what to do next. Until this point, for them, being by the Rebbe was everything. What now?

For me it was sad, but it didn't break me. It was clear. Just continue to do what the Rebbe wants. 

Ultimately, I got the best of both. Being close on hundreds of occasions, and doing the Rebbe's work. 

When I was close I felt that he was proud of me, I was his man, his soldier. 

Going on Shlichus was just the next step, as I was already a Shliach. 

Now, when you are the Rebbe's messenger, you are one with the Rebbe, you can't get any closer than that. 

The Rebbe is the Moshe of our generation. Hashem speaks through him. His mission is Hashem's mission. Doing the Rebbe's mission is doing Hashem's mission.  You are then one with the Rebbe, one with Hashem. Now that's close. 

What is there left to do? Just a little. 

You are the man, or at least you could be if you chose. In your home, at work and wherever you are. 

This way we will accomplish the mission. We will bring Moshiach and be once again in his presence.