Rabbi Mendel Bluming ponders Standing Alone


In the Torah we are told that Jacob remained alone (Breishis 32). Abraham was called Ivri due to the fact that he was on the “other side” of all of mankind, he stood alone. Elijah famously stated I am the only one left, alone (Melachim Aleph 18). The Lubavitcher Rebbe was very comfortable to stand alone. He was given criticism for his campaign to put tefillin on with men on the streets, for urging women to light Shabbat candles even if they did not keep Shabbat yet, for his views on Israel and on halachic conversion and of course on his Moshiach fervor and so much else. He was willing to stand alone and he shaped a Jewish renaissance as a result.

G-d stands alone. The mystics enlighten us that "One who is alone" is the level of the Divine Infinite Light that does not manifest in relationships. As in the prayer of adon olam “Livado yimloch”. Isaiah 2: G-d will be exalted alone.

Do you have the inner strength to brave standing alone rather than cave for acceptance of the gang? Easy it is not, it is a high calling.

Rabbi Mendel Bluming, Chabad rabbi in Potomac, Maryland has served the community since 2000 with his family.

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