Students ask The Rebbe...

Synopsis of an interview with the Rebbe by College students from Hillel Foundations, 7 Adar, 5720 (March 6, 1960).
The Rebbe began with a statement:

The word "histalkus" does not mean death in the sense of coming to an end but rather an elevation from one level to another on a higher plane. When one has accomplished his mission in life, he is elevated to a higher plane. The significance of this for us is that everyone can now lift himself to a higher level by studying the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and taking an example from his life.
From the very beginning, one of the first things the Baal Shem Tov did was to teach small children simple things such as bless-ings and to explain to them how they could be near to G-d Almighty - that G-d was very real for them and close to them and not far-removed in some "seventh heaven."

He worked not only with teenagers but even with six-and seven-year-old children, making them understand how G-d Almighty watches over them all the time - not only Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, but all the days of their life, and that by obeying G-d's will they would be assured of a happy and harmonious life, materially and spiritually.

The epoch of the Baal Shem Tov came after the Chmielnetzky pograms, which left the Jews in a state of dejection and despair. It was the aim of the Baal Shem Tov to encourage the Jews and to show them how they could meet the problems of their day while living a life of Torah and mitzvos (commandments).

Our present age is similar in many ways to the time of the Baal Shem Tov. One-third of the Jewish population has perished under Hitler and has been cut off from us. How great, then, is the obligation that lies upon each and every one of us to do as much as is within his power to spread the light of Torah and mitzvos in his own surroundings and throughout the world in general.


The Students then asked:

What is the view of Chasidus concerning an after-life?

As was explained earlier, death is not a cessation of life, but rather, one's spiritual life takes on a new dimension or is, as we said, elevated to a higher plane. This is logical and follows also from the principles of science which are consider ed to be the "absolute truth."
In science, the principle of the conservation of matter states that nothing physical can be annihilated. This table or a piece of iron can be cut up, burned etc., but in no case could the matter of the table or the iron be destroyed. It only takes on a different form.

So, likewise, on the spiritual level, our spiritual being - the soul - can never be destroyed. It only changes its form, or is elevated to a different plane.


Is the after-life of a soul personal or impersonal?

In conjunction with what was said before, the soul takes on a new and higher form. In this, the term "after-life" is inappropriate. Rather, it is a continuation of life. Until 120, life is experienced at one level, and at 121, 122 and 123, etc. it is carried on at another level, and thus we go higher and higher in the realm of the spirit.

What is the role that the Baal Shem Tov played in the Chasidic movement.

We can understand what the Baal Shem Tov did by the simile of the relation-ship of an electric power house with a lamp that is connected to it by a wire. In order to light his lamp, he must find the right switch, or push the correct button.
The soul of every Jew is a part and connected with G-d Almighty, but in order that one can enjoy the great benefits of it, the correct switch must be found for the proper button to pushed. It was the Baal Shem Tov's mission to explain and proclaim that every Jew without exception is connected with "the power house," and every one of them has a switch in his innermost, that will be found if searched for.

So also every one of us in our own work in strengthening Judaism, must try to find the switch in the soul of every Jew. One can never know what will make the connection, perhaps one word. But by this, you open up the well or inner fountain of his soul.


What is the function of a Rebbe?

As was said earlier, to find the switch in every Jew and help him become connected with the power house.