A Lifetime Is Just the Beginning

A leader who can be assessed during their lifetime is not much of a changemaker. A true influencer’s life is only the beginning of their impact. The effect of their ideas, teachings, and messages grows exponentially in the years and decades after their passing from this world.

Take Abraham, for example. At the time of his passing, the Torah records: “Abraham expired, and died… And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah.” In his time, Abraham was buried by his two sons; today, 4.2 billion people consider themselves followers of Abraham.

Think about Moses. At the time of his passing, his “project” was very incomplete. All those who left Egypt died in the desert, and after nearly 40 years, the people had still not entered the Promised Land. Would biographers have imagined that the Torah he brought down would become the world’s most printed work, with an estimated 5-7 billion copies printed?

This week, as I was at the “Ohel,” the resting place of the Rebbe on his 30th yahrzeit, this idea really resonated with me. As I witnessed the nearly 100,000 people of all types, from young yeshiva students to NY Mayor Eric Adams, I realized that we are only beginning to see the impact and influence of the Rebbe.

In Oregon, at the time of the Rebbe’s passing in 1994, there were 2 Chabad Shluchim families in one Chabad House. Today, there are 16 Shluchim families in 15 Chabad Houses, covering 11 cities and 4 campuses.

In my personal life, this is true as well. I was asked in a media interview this week whether I had met the Rebbe. As a child, I was in his presence a number of times. I heard his talks, sang together with thousands of Chassidim, and received dollars from him to give to tzedakah.

Yet, only when I began to study his teachings in earnest did I truly “meet” the Rebbe. It was through reading his talks and letters as an adult that he became my teacher.

The Rebbe is likely the first Torah teacher to have his teachings so preserved and available. Through organizations like JEM Media, Sichos in English, Chabad.org, and more, becoming a student has never been easier.

As the Torah teacher for our times, whose teachings apply the timeless Torah to timely situations, the Rebbe’s influence continues to grow each day. A lifetime is only the beginning.