Freedom is a Great Leader

“A true leader does not seek followers, he wants to teach others how to be leaders. He does not want control, he wants the truth. He does not impose his leadership on others, nor does he take away anyone’s autonomy. He inspires by love, not coercion. When it comes time to take credit, he makes himself invisible; but he is the first to arrive at the time of need, and he will never shrink away in fear. He is so passionate about your welfare that when you consult him for guidance, it is like coming face to face with yourself for the first time.” Rebbe Menachem M. Schneerson (Lubavitcher Rebbe)
Many years ago, I had little respect for leaders of any kind, especially religious ones and especially Jewish ones. I had rejected my Jewish background and lived a very secular, atheistic, liberal and feminist life and was fine with that. In my mid-twenties, believing that my college boyfriend was in a cult, I boarded a plane to Israel to rescue him. To make a long story short, I discovered it wasn’t a cult, but was Orthodox/mystical Judaism. This Judaism was one, that just two generations before me, all my ancestors practiced. I committed to exploring it in depth for many years until deciding to practice it myself – something I’ve been doing for 20+ years. It was a leap of faith because as much as I studied, I couldn’t decide whether I really believed in the unseen realm of the spirit. Something that I couldn’t see or touch felt really distant from reality for me. The Lubavitcher Rebbe became the bridge that helped me make that leap – his kabbalistic wisdom, care, love and guidance was so deep and real that the spiritual didn’t seem so distant. Having experienced personal prophetic guidance from the Rebbe, as many others I know have, I use the Rebbe as my compass and north star through all the chaos and confusion in the world. He continues to guide and direct and I am grateful.
In honor of the Rebbe’s birthday today, Yud Aleph Nissan. The picture is of the Rebbe giving out blessings of wine. The Rebbe did this for hours including on Sundays to distribute dollars and blessings and when asked if he ever grew tired on his feet for so long, he responded “Every soul is a diamond. Can one grow tired of counting diamonds?” And that is how the Rebbe sees all of us, yes – you and me