Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky

I remember him well. An easy-going person with a warm personality, a joke and a smile.

He worked tirelessly to help the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s emissaries spread Judaism throughout the world.

He passed away yesterday. Even during the years when he wasn’t well, he carried on with enthusiasm and simcha — happiness. He constantly worked to actualize the Rebbe’s mission to care about every single Jew. And to tell the nations of the world about the seven Noahide laws which G-d told Moses at Mount Sinai.

Today Lubavitch Chabad shines its light everywhere, because of the devotion of Rabbi Kotlarsky and Chassidim like him, giving their all as soldiers of the Rebbe.

On the last day of Passover, the Haftorah (passage from the prophets) that is read from Isaiah (starting at 10; 32) discusses the era of Moshiach and Redemption. One of the verses describes how G-d will again send His hand to gather the remnants of His people from Assyria, Egypt … and from ‘Shinar’ and ‘Chamas’ — perhaps an allusion to the Jewish people who will remain after the brutality of Sinwar and Hamas.

Antisemites may shout. World leaders may protest against Israel. University students may mindlessly repeat hateful chants. But the holiness and light that the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s messengers have spread worldwide, and the increasing unity of the Jewish people and the strengthening of their Jewish identity, is illuminating the darkness, and will very soon usher in an era of Redemption, light, and peace for the entire world.

May we see it now.