The Lubavitcher Rebbe is the ultimate practitioner of “Positivity Bias”. His message to humanity is to become better and better and to see everything in a good light. One good deed is waiting for every Jew. By looking at the world with “positivity bias” you will be inspired to do acts of goodness and kindness in the world.
The Rebbe’s love for every Jew was passionate and uncompromising. His message – that no Jew is far from Judaism – is the message for our generation. All Jews are equal regardless of background, affiliation, or level of observance.
In 1977 I was a student at the University of Buffalo and met the Chabad representative there, Rabbi Nosson Gurary. Several of us students started going to Chabad Friday nights, getting closer with the Rabbi. After several months he told us there was going to be a big party in Brooklyn. We asked if there were going to be girls there, he said “Yes. Definitely.” So the Rabbi and five boys drove eight hours to Brooklyn.
When we went inside 770 Eastern Parkway, the main Chabad synagogue in the world, we saw a huge group of religious men. What kind of party is this? Rabbi Gurary told us they are listening to the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Suddenly we saw the Rebbe. We became fascinated by his persona, but couldn’t understand his words because he was speaking in Yiddish. We were told the “party” would go on for hours.
As the time flew by, we found ourselves being pushed closer to the Rebbe by people we were told were his yeshivah students. Finally, we were standing very close to the Rebbe’s table. When he finished that section of his talk, he greeted us, saying it was very nice to see college students and he hoped we would be able to come back and visit him again.
The Rebbe’s assistant gave us little cups, the Rebbe poured a bit of wine for each of us. We said the blessing over wine together with the Rebbe and then he gave us a blessing that we be successful in college and maintain a strong connection with Rabbi Gurary.
It was clear that the Rebbe knew who we were (secular college students), but he treated us as equals to the chasidim [his followers]. His seeing the good and potential in us, despite our non-religious appearance and lifestyle, inspired us to try harder to see the good in others, without judgment.
Trust me, the other staff members at Ascent also have similar stories. The Rebbe’s love and devotion for G-d, Torah, and the Jewish people are pillars of truth and love which have guided us at Ascent of Tsfat for the past 39 years, and, G-d willing, will soon help bring about the final perfection of our world with Mashiach NOW!