21 Elul 85 years ago , the previous Rebbe moved into 770 Eastern Parkway. Rabbi Yossi Paltiel - 5786

Today is 21 Elul. So, we had a discussion about the events of 85 years ago that on this day, the previous Rebbe moved into 770 Eastern Parkway. We discussed the distinct role of a Rebbe in leadership and in exile. Two things that a Rebbe never forgets: (1) אתה בחרתנו מכל העמים, the Jewish people are a distinct nation with a distinct mission. (2) מה' מצעדי גבר כוננו, every step of man is preordained. Accordingly, as the Chazal say, Yaakov was meant to go to Egypt with chains, with chains and shackles, and only out of respect for him was it done honorably. Jews don't go into exile; they have to be dragged kicking and screaming. Nobody knows this better than a Rebbe. Which is why the Rebbe once explained about the previous Rebbe, that he always left on the last ship, the last train, the last plane, because you don't go unless you're forced, אנוס על פי הדיבור. This was true when they left Lubavitch, when they left Russia, and when they left Europe to come to the United States of America. We went back as far as the Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, and the Rebbe Maharash, where the Jewish world, the Russian world, and later the Galician world began to fall apart, and the Rebbe Maharash made th