Chabad's Goal and Mission

 The following story about Rabbi Sholom DovBer will clearly illustrate the definition of a Chabad Chossid.

In 1907, Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch was staying in Wirtzburg, Germany, and group of Chassidim came to spend a Shabbat with the Rebbe. Among them were Reb Yosef Yuzik Horowitz, his son-in-law Reb Feivel Zalmanov, and Reb Elimelech Stoptzer.

The Rebbe prayed for many hours that Shabbat morning, as was his manner. In the meanwhile, the Chassidim made kiddush and consumed a quantity of lechayim's. Later, when the Rebbe had finished and they sat with him to the Shabbat meal, Reb Yosef Yuzik asked:

"Rebbe, what is a Chassid?"

Replied the Rebbe: "A Chassid is a lamplighter. The lamplighter walks the streets carrying a flame at the end of a pole. He knows that the flame is not his. And he goes from lamp to lamp to set them alight."

Asked Reb Yosef Yuzik: "What if the lamp is in a desert?"

"Then one must go and light it," said the Rebbe. "And when one lights a lamp in a desert, the desolation of the desert becomes visible. The barren wilderness will then be ashamed before the burning lamp."

Continued the Chassid: "What if the lamp is at sea?"

"Then one must undress, dive into the sea, and go light the lamp."

"And this is a Chassid?" Reb Yosef Yuzik asked.

For a long while the Rebbe thought. Then he said: "Yes, this is a Chassid."

"But Rebbe, I do not see the lamps!"

Answered the Rebbe: "That is because you are not a lamplighter."

"How does one become a lamplighter?"

"First, you must reject the evil within yourself. Start with yourself: cleanse yourself, refine yourself, and you will see the lamp within your fellow. When a person is himself coarse, G-d forbid, he sees coarseness; when a person is himself refined, he sees the refinement in others."

Reb Yosef Yuzik then asked: "Is one to grab the other by the throat?"

Replied the Rebbe: "By the throat, no; by the lapels, yes."

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Sent by the Rebbe in May 1992 Rabbi Dovid & Rochel Jaffe founded a branch of the organisation in South Manchester.

About 1,000 people a month benefit from direct contact with the organisation and thousands more, through indirect and second generation contact e.g Fax. Programmes and services provide for the youth, singles, families, Swinging Sixties, counceling, support, the sick and infirm, Hospital visits and much more.

Lubavitch South Manchester caters and reaches out with warmth and compassion to all members of the community irrespective of synagogue membership or religious affiliation.