This year was my most memorable July 4th, partly because of our pre-July 4th lecture (see video below) explaining why American ideals are crucial for Jewish destiny.
But this year's July 4th has extra meaning than most years and it has to do with yesterday's hebrew date. This year's July 4th fell out on the 28th of Sivan, which is a very important day on the Jewish calendar.
It was on this this day in 1941 that the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin safely arrived in America, having fled war-torn Europe on one of the the last passenger ships to cross the Atlantic before travel became impossible due to a German u-boat blockade. Thus, today is known as the "yom hatzalah," the day of rescue, for the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin. The Rebbe was tremendously grateful for the gift that is America, and would commonly refer to this country as "Medina Shel Chesed", a country of kindness. (See below for a letter the Rebbe penned to President Bush (Sr.) on this theme)
The Rebbe also emphasized that the significance of his move to America was not merely about what he was fleeing from but equally, if not more so, about what he was moving toward. Sadly, at that time, some Jews had abandoned Jewish practices seeing freedoms of America, and modernity in general, as contradictions to a Torah lifestyle.
The Rebbe saw no such contradiction. He saw these freedoms as something, when when harnessed properly, could maximize our Jewish lives! Together with the challenges of modernity also come tremendous opportunities. A Judaism with more pride and joy. A fresh relevance to Torah. The ability to positively influence the wider world.
When a Jew decides to adopt a life of Judaism today it is that much more meaningful, truly coming from our freedom of choice. As the Rebbe once told writer Herman Wouk regarding American Jews, “While you cannot tell them to do anything, you can teach them to do everything.
Please G-d, America should remain that Medina Shel Chesed. In the words of the prayer for the country we recite each Shabbos, "that the leaders and all their counselors and aides be inspired to deal kindly with us and with all Israel."
