By Levik Jacobson
In addition to the mitzvah of remembering the exodus of Egypt every day, we have a mitzvah to remember Krias Yam Suf every day as well[1]. In general, Torah is our timeless teacher, showing us how to live our day to day lives[2]. This is specifically relevant when it comes to the stories surrounding the exodus of Egypt[3].
We are all aware that by Krias Yam Suf, Nachshon Ben Aminodov was the first to jump into the water[4]. What most people don’t know is that after him, the entire tribe of Binyomin jumped in as well[5]. And what even less people are aware of is that the entire Jewish nation jumped in after them. And only after everyone had jumped in did the Yam Suf split[6].
Based on logic, there were far better solutions than jumping into the Yam Suf; solutions like, turn around and go back to Mitzrayim, or let’s fight the Mitzrim, or maybe, not acting at all, but rather davening to Hashem[7].
The journey to Matan Torah started with a leap of faith, going beyond sense and reason, ignoring the stormy waves of the raging sea, just because Moshe commanded that, “We must move on[8].” After that jump, Hashem made a miracle, the Jews walked on dry land in the midst of the sea[9]. And then we began the normal journey, ascending step after step refining ourselves from the klipa until we reached the highest level of holiness and were ready to receive the Torah.
The lesson for us:
We were given marching orders by our Moshe, our Rebbe. He told us that 770 is Beis Rabeinu Shebibovel, and we have the obligation of expanding the shul as much as is needed in order to accommodate all those who want to come to Beis Rabeinu, an obligation similar to building the Beis Hamikdosh[10].
Here too, based on logic, expansion is not possible until several issues are resolved. The logical solutions are either, shut it down, or fight it out in court, or do nothing and busy ourselves with other forms of shlichus and avodas Hashem.
The lesson from the Yam Suf is clear, we must take a leap of faith and go beyond logic.
The Rebbe commanded us to expand, and that’s what all of us will do. Not only will Nachshon Ben Aminodov jump into expansion, nor just the tribe of Binyomin, but all of Klal Yisroel must jump into expansion.
Once we all transcend logic and jump into the expansion, ignoring the stormy waves of issues that exist, we will successfully achieve Kriyas Yam Suf[11] – the Rebbe’s goal. And, then we can continue the normal and logical journey, step by step refining all the issues that the klipa cooked up, until we reach the highest level of holiness and we are ready to receive the Torah Chadasha[12] from Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days.
My fellow brothers, chassidim of the Rebbe, I urge you to join me and the rest of us who have already jumped into the shturem of expansion and start promoting and encouraging the expansion of 770 today!
Please visit Expand770.com and find an initiative that you are able to join or support.
Words that come from the heart, enter the heart!
Levik Jacobson
VIDEO: Learn Kuntres Beis Rabeinu Shebibovel – Part 1
________________
[1] Shulcha Aruch Harav 66:12. Yerushalmi Brachos 1:6.
[2] Zohar III 53b. Gur Aryeh beginning of Breishis in the name of the Rada”k.
[3] Likutei Sichos I p. 119
[4] Bamidbar Rabba 13:7
[5] Sotah 36b-37a
[6] Shmos Rabba 21:10. Maamor Vehechrim 5729 based on Sotah 37a and Tehillim 68:28.
[7] Yerushalmi Taanis 2:5
[8] Shmos 14:15
[9] Ibid. 14:22
[10] Kuntres Beis Rabbeinu Shebibovel ch. 8 and footnote 105.
[11] Yeshayahu 11:15
[12] Tana Dvei Eliyohu, Eliyohu Zuta ch. 20
There are so many children who will spend their days roaming the streets in the summer yet you keep pushing your own agenda. There are many underlying issues and funding that needs to be cleared. This is no simple task, find a board and do it if you want.
Learn kuntres beis rabeinu shebibovel (available on Expand770.com) and you will realize that this is very much the Rebbe’s agenda, not a personal agenda at all. And the Rebbe is very clear that this is something that every single Jew should be involved in.
The Rebbe also stressed the importance of camp for the summer. As a teacher in a local school I know many of my students will not be going to camp, instead spending hot long shabbosim down an empty kingston ave with homeless crawling up and down the streets. I also remember the Rebbe clearly talking about summer as well and I am sure that is “something every jew should be involved in.” This can be said about a lot of things.
Yes the fact that there are children who not attend summer camps due to lack of funds is distressing and needs addressing.
This however does not deprioritized the need for the proposed 770 project
One campaign doesn’t take away from another. If you want something to get taken care of, get on it.
It’s not the Rebbe’s agenda to destroy the Lubavitch Library, so this whole “expand770” website and the flyers they put in CH shuls each Shabbos for over a month now seems DECEPTIVE ..because they show old designs from years ago in the pictures.. not the current design on the table for the past year or so, whereas the new design on the table looks like the Rebbe’s historic library with all the history of Hei Teives and everything else would get the wrecking ball, Rachmana litzlan, and it looks like they’re planning to build some ugly modern structure that looks… Read more »
No one is hiding. My name was on the flyer this Shabbos. And every flyer has the name Expand770.com where my name is also written.
Not sure why you seem so certain that I want to destroy anything chas vsholom. The pictures on the flyers were taken from Google Search and are being used just to show a visual in order to inspire ppl to get involved in promoting and encouraging the expansion.
its about time
This is so not needed in the 90s they already took 770 and did nothing much so it was not needed until now I would say actually it’s the old structure that connects us more to the Rebbe unless you leave the original shul as is and build on top of it or get zoning to give permission to build a 72 story like The 921 feet tall and 72-storied Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in Dallas, the 3rd tallest in Texas, and 28th tallest in the US. The Bank of America covers 1,900,000 square feet of… Read more »
This is true. How can we take the 770 we know and love and make it into some modern structure. Why don’t we clean up and renovate 770 instead. I took a few minutes to look on the expand770 site and this looks no better than some modern museum. The idea is nice but honestly does not make any sense. Who is overseeing this huge construction project? How will you keep some of the original design in place? 770 is not just a building that needs updating and expansion, its a shul connecting us with many years of Farbrengens etc.,… Read more »
Let’s stay focused. The point of this article was that when “a fellow yid” receives a directive from the Rebbe, he doesn’t consider any issues, he does wtvr it takes to get the mission done. Check out Likutei Sichos chelek alef page 135 for the Rebbe’s words on this. As far as your questions are concerned: Q. How can we take the 770 we know and love and make it into some modern structure. Answer: The true way of preserving that original look is to constantly expand 770, because that’s actually the look that 770 always had. Would you entertain… Read more »
My friend, There are many directives from the Rebbe. This is not the one and only one. If you believe in this cause thats great.However, Right now you have no Rabbinic approval, no clear plan and just ones man’s vision to change the face of a community/worldwide shul with our preserving anything of the original.
Your points should be an article on its own. It helps answer most concerns people have. Couldn’t agree more with what you said
Well said. Needs to be posted on the main page.
You may have a nice goal in mind but please understand that unfortunately it is unclear who exactly 770 belongs to. Its like deciding to renovate a property in court. There is too much machloikes and no one wants to be a part of that and for good reasons. What may be a better goal is to arrange better cleaning help for the shul etc.
It is not unclear who 770 belongs to. It belongs to Agudas Chassidei Chabad as the Rebbe said very clearly.
The only question is if the community has the right to appoint gabboim to run the shul.
Do some research next time…
The redevelopment and upgrading of 770 is long over due.
The space both for women and men is no longer large enough to accommodate the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch community, especially during Tishrei.
Regarding the concerning issue of safety, the Shul needs more major exit points which can only be created when the expansion extends to Union Street.
Further,let us pray that the various entities which to date have challenged each other over ownership and control can find a path to greater cooperation in order that this vital project can commence in the near future.
Not that over 80 shuls in CH have opened the need to make 770 bigger has dissipated.
Maybe it is something that will happen when the Rebbe comes back !!!!
The Rambam, say that Moshiach will BONNE BAIS HAMIKDASH !!!!!
If you learn kuntres beis rabeinu (available on Expand770.com) you will see that the exact words that you are using to challenge the expansion, are the words that the Rebbe’s uses to prove that we must expand. “Being that the Rambam says that Bone Mikdosh Bimkomo and not b’yerushalayim, hints that he will first build a mikdosh in Golus before he is considered Moshiach vadai
Its nice to see you so focused on this specific exact words of the Rebbe. If only we did so with many many other things Chabad would look very different.
So don’t focus on anything because you don’t focus on everything?
Of course he did! It’s a fundraiser.
The rebbe wrote that before the crazies took over. I think the rebbe would agree the shul has to first be a place that all feel welcome and not have eggs, storing and soda bottles being thrown at you by hooligans that no one will reign in. So build it for what ? For them to destroy and not one person do anything. I’m sorry I would rather spend my money where you can actually help people
The Rebbe came out to the אבן הפינה which was seen as the beginning of the expansion of 770, unfortunately the project as envisaged did not occur at that time.
This is a very valid point. The only times 770 is busting is during Yomim Tovim. Other wise many younger people take their children to smaller shuls where they find they can connect with people their own age and find their place. This is not Boro Park where every majority of the people from one chasidus go to one shul that they all pour in their resources and money into creating a huge shul. This is just the reality and the way the community has grown.
But hats off to L Jacobson for idealism!!!!
Whether this project is worth investing time and effort into, or not … I gotta give it to you for caring, and for trying to make a difference in an area where many people are bound to disagree with you
Who else is on the team
They are already renovating Kingston Women’s side Seems like they went ahead without asking any women about it, such as: 1)Extending the wall behind the main benches on Kingston side so there is more room during Tishrei 2)Making the wall with windows just one giant window. Why should women be crushed against a pink (now yellowish?) wall during Tishrei, with no window to see below, and no air? 3)Instead of ugly brown windows that mess with your eyes, make them ONE WAY WINDOWS. Mirror side for the men. Clear for the women. One thing I’m pleased about are the upgraded… Read more »
They tried 1 way mirrors a few years ago – for some reason the women were getting headaches….
Women’s shul is a dump, poorly managed, messy and gross with their own share of homeless types, People who are meant to manage it are way in over their head, The amount of quiet infighting and vendettas going on in all directions is disgusting, The involvement of the people in charge of the men’s shul is only used to flex muscle, to bully and to exacerbate ridiculous situations and to create unnecessary drama rather than to use their positions to repair and build. .
First make sure to keep what we have clean and organise, right now it’s a disaster what’s happening everyone do what ever they want we, we just saw what happen this past week….
Most of the problems that currently exist are due to the lack of space.
When there is space, you can keep the place clean, instead of constantly having another function running one after the next.
I didn’t know ripping seforim, throwing eggs and barricading doors was due to lack of space.
The patients are running the asylum. Downstairs 770 was effectively seceded to these terrorists years ago.
There is no ownership, no leadership, no authority.
It’s a disgrace
What happened with the seforim this past week should have absolutely nothing to do with expansion.
Just because there are a few troublemakers, it does not mean that all of Chabad and Jews worldwide should suffer the consequences of not having any space in Beis Rabeinu Shebibovel.
If someone is able to deal with the troublemakers, then let them deal with it, but not at the expense of the so-needed expansion.
Nobody feels good about investing in the project while criminals and crazies are still running around there. MAKE A SEDER and then maybe people will want to improve the place.
Lack of space had nothing to do with the chaos that happened this week during the moshiach Shiur. I understand you have a goal in sight but you are blinded by other things. What happened this week was due to other reasons and a small group of trouble makers.
To keep 770 clean has nothing to do with space has to do with managment if you manage it properly you will get the place under control, we need to get our priority straight
As a man that davens every weekday shacharis in 770, it seems VERY obvious there is plenty of space. However, the bochurim often leave it very messy, do not clean up after their Fahrbrengens, and books not properly put away.
Maybe it’s messy because they just left right before you got there and no one had time to clean it.
And if 770 were to be bigger you would have a place.
Your complaining about the mess because they were farbranganing were you davin.
Maybe you are divining were they farbrang. and not they are forbranging, were you davin.?
Come on Shabbos and then speak… Not to mention Tishrei
You sound like the democrats who tell people to keep throwing money into failed projects and maybe they’ll work eventually. If you don’t fix the hefkervelt that already exists and try to expand it, you’ll just get an even bigger hefkervelt
As long as Lubavitch is controlled by the families who need parnassah from collected funds, nothing will materialize.
We need outsiders, a board of lubavitchers from all over the world.( business peaple ( Chasidim ) that have no personal interest or family ties.
It’s going to happen.
There are unbelievable lubavitch yungerlite that are already taking over the schools. making great parnassah, good is coming )
Lubavitch to too large, varied and decentralized to be controlled by anyone
I’m assuming it was before the last expansion and they already did an expansion after that sicha.
There is lots of room for improvement but they can focus on individual updates, overdue repairs and better ongoing repairs and maintenance.
770 is attached to all the history of the rebbe there, changing the entire look and feel will take a lot of that away.
It should be land marked or designated historic and should keep the existing character of the building.
Maybe update the additional floors where there are offices but don’t turn it into MoMa.
The sicha was printed in 5752. No significant expansion has happened since.
Unless you consider the bathroom a big expansion…
Funds can always be raised for communally supported projects run professionally with financial accountability and transparency.
Meanwhile there are literal terrorists controlling the shul. Have fun writing theme songs and making cute videos
Chassidim need to come together and show public support, and do what they could to help. When Chassidim come together, they can accomplish wonderful things.
If the people in charge of 770 can make sholom, I think that Chassidim can make it happen
The Rebbe says “With Achdus, anything can be accomplished”.
Let’s unite as one to promote and encourage the expansion.
Once the people unite, then anything can be accomplished!
We can all agree that 770 should be at the very least treated like every other shul. If you walk into 770 on a average Shabbos it’s jam packed, you could barely walk forget about a chair. Just like every other shul in Crown Heights the mispalelim who care about it make a fundraiser and invest in it, make repairs, and eventually expand to a bigger place when the first place gets to small. Why should 770 be treated with less respect than that. This is all besides for the fact that it’s the Rebbes shul, and should therefore be… Read more »
We must expand for the rebbes kavod and must impose a 5 cent tax on all anash purchases until that happens
I am a Lubavitcher who has not set foot in 770 for many, many years. When I come to NY I visit the Rebbe נשמתו עדן at the Ohel. There are no crazy signs or “rituals” there as there are in what has become a complete mockery of the Rebbe’s Shul. Not to compare Ch”V, but the Rebbe himself visited the Frierdike Rebbe at the Ohel! Please, let’s wait for Moshiach to rebuild the Beis Hamikdosh, and all the Mikdashei Me’at including Beis Rabbeinu SheBiBovel, if it is indeed needed at that point. Let’s use our resources to build and… Read more »
From these latest plans pictured, it looks like they’re planning to demolish the Rebbe’s holy Lubavitch library ch”v. Who would think to do such a thing with all the history of the Library, making it one of the most important structures in the world of Lubavitch? Didan Notzach etc. Not to mention that architecturally it matches 770 and is physically connected to 770 and putting some modern eyesore in its place after demolishing it G-d forbid would be something the Rebbe would probably be very upset about. It’s an architectural gem of all of NYC and all of the world.… Read more »
The pictures used were taken from Google Search. And they are only being used to provide a visual so that ppl get inspired to promote and encourage expansion. If you have a different visual, please submit it to Levi@expand770.com. Thanks
The real picture of the latest plans is not the one you show on most of your flyers. Most of your flyers show designs from many years ago that have long been scrapped. And in those old designs, demolishing the Rebbe’s holy library wasn’t part of the plan. So your flyers now are either deceptive or poorly researched. There’s only one plan on the table now. This modern looking thing, which a comment above states how they’re planning to put something that looks like an ugly parking garage at a shopping mall in Jersey, in place of the Rebbe’s holy… Read more »
As long as there is still chaos in 770 and the Shul is controlled by a bunch of wild kids, and people do not feel comfortable to come daven there and we cant bring in Balei Battim inside – we should refrain from building anything!!
Just because there are a few troublemakers, it does not mean that all of Chabad and Jews worldwide should suffer the consequences of not having any space in Beis Rabeinu Shebibovel.
If someone is able to deal with the troublemakers, then let them deal with it, but not at the expense of the so-needed expansion.
Why should, as you put it, “worldwide” jews, pay for a playground in Crown Heights ?
100%
Every Bochur and Yungerman (כמעט) would give as much money as they can towards such a project. דעת בעלי בתים היפך דעת תורה, all the ney sayers on this chat are בעלי בתים גמורים who don’t have one ounce of hiskashrus, bittul and kabalos ol left in their being (רק בבחינת מקיף, ראה תניא סוף פרק י״א). The Rebbe said to do something, what else is there to discuss. Anything besides for doing it, is an excuse and the Rebbe taught that אמתלא (excuse) stands for אמת לא. Thanks for bringing g the Rebbe’s desire to the fore! We don’t… Read more »
Logic?!
Were you Ever in770?
Numbers in math 1plus 1 is 2
2plus 2 is 4 and so on …every year more and more people are coming to 770 B”H
From all over the world. It’s math. even If the rebbe didn’t say to make it bigger, then you can still think about making 770 bigger, and especially that the rebbe said to make 770 bigger.
Make sure most if not all the money comes from outside crown hights. The point someone was making about summer camps was that we have so many needs and yet so much of the local money goes to helpping shluchim around the world that summer camps, schools, food, clothing should be a priority for the local CHers over renivating 770.
I never heard of such a great pitch! “Give us your money even though it doesn’t make any sense”. “Just take that leap of faith”.
Sorry mate. First show me how it’s possible. That if I give you my money, something will happen. If not, it’s a waste of hard earned money, that yes, should actually be given to other places where they’ll actually have an impact.
Or in chassidishe osiyos: אורות דתוהו בכלים דתיקון
we need to redo 770 and make it easier for the zfatim mental cases to do terror.
too many doors and cameras, redo 770 no doors or cameras. lets make mendy hendel proud.
As someone who would gladly contribute to a building campaign to expand the Rebbe’s shul, there is but one glaring issue: the inmates are running the asylum. Until the situation in the main shul of 770 gets cleared up, why are we expanding? Does it need more wall space for the color war banners? More floor space so that the tzfatim can bring a full on wrestling ring in the middle to have weekly smackdown shows? Higher ceilings to accommodate longer flagpole waiving? The yidden by the yam suf were faced with a few options, and no time to flesh… Read more »
People will be more than glad to help if they see REAL improvings in areas that have to do with 770 itself right now In other words, you get things done if you can anounce 1 official peace with the gaboim and what they represent and agu”ch. I mean peace for real (sort when there was finally peace in the beis din here some years ago) but not stam peace,like little signs here and there that says things are working out. Or that he or him are “working on it” 2 but not less important, seder in 770 right NOW,… Read more »
The 770 that we already have needs to be run by the same Chabad organization that brings seder and dignity to the Ohel. If the foundation isn’t strong, everything else built on top will crumble
The multitude of non Lubavitch people that I have unfortunately heard decrying their experience when entering 770 and seeing the antics of a certain group who refuse to live in reality is distressing. Not to mention the terrorismthey did recently to a MOSHIACH and geula shiur . Until this issue of the radical elements that have stolen 770 what’s the point of expansion. CHASIDIM WILL HAVE TO GIVE A DIN VECHESHBON why in all the comments I haven’t read anyone that it really bothers. They are mevazeh the Rebbe and his chasidim and it’s business as usual let’s bury reality… Read more »
It hurts me
We can all sit here and talk about all the issues with lubavitch but this year tishrei was poshut very dangerous. Why do we have to wait until something bad happens to do something and without expansion it is just getting more and more dangerous (not to mention the rebbe clearly said he wanted it) also during tishrei proper permanent bleachers should be built ie not tables and benches that could ch”v collapse
There were times I felt that safety was lemala miderech hateva. Meaning = naturally speaking, not safe
Those who don’t agree can move to Queens or EF
I feel like if the local heads / Rabbonim just put their names behind this, the money would be raised in 10 minutes iy”H. But when their names are not on there confirming that this campaign and where the money is going is legit, and that it has proper oversigh, it causes concern.
Also, I feel like, no matter how big we make it, it will always be packed to the gills because the Rebbe is brocha.
We can all sit here and talk about this back and forth, but the person who really wants to make a change will be the one who takes action, not the ones who just complains for either side. They are doing something. They are making a change. What are you doing? Exactly what everyone has been doing for the past 20+ years. Complain. Oy! It’s so crowded. Oy! I can’t breath. Oh well. No one brave enough to CHANGE the situation. The Beis Hamikdash was built from what the Yidden had. It was built to be beautiful and full of… Read more »