The Torah writes that Jacob remained alone (Breishis 32). Abraham was called an Ivri as he was on the “other side” of all of mankind, he stood alone. Famously, Elijah says I am the only one left, alone (Melachim Aleph 18). The Lubavitcher Rebbe was very O.K with standing alone. He was criticized for his campaign to place tefillin on men on the streets, for urging women to light Shabbat candles even if they did not keep Shabbat yet, for his stand on Israel and on halachic conversion and of course on his passion for Moshiach and so much else. He was willing to stand alone and he built a Jewish renaissance as a result.
G-d stands alone. The mystics teach that "One who is alone" is the level of the Divine Infinite Light that does not manifest in relationships. As we find in adon olam “Livado yimloch”. Isaiah 2: G-d will be exalted alone. Do you have the courage to brave standing by yourself rather than cave for acceptance in the pack? It is not easy, but a high calling. Rabbi Mendel Bluming, Chabad rabbi in Potomac Maryland has served the community since 2000 with his family.
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AuthorRabbi Mendel Bluming also dedicated six years to serving on the board of directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, where he received the Matthew H. Simon Rabbinical Award for exceptional communal leadership. Archives
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