Why Does Chabad Get Its Own Post?
Because when it comes to kiruv rechokim—bringing distant Jews closer to their Father in Heaven—Chabad is not just involved. Chabad is built on it.
Other groups engage in kiruv. Chabad embodies kiruv.
The Rebbe’s Vision: “No Jew Left Behind”
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson zt”l, was not the founder of Chabad, but he elevated it into a worldwide spiritual force. From the 1950s onward, he sent young couples out into every corner of the globe—not to build a movement, but to bring Yidden home.
To the Rebbe, there were no “irreligious Jews.” Only Jews who hadn’t been reached yet.
“A Jew is a Jew is a Jew. No matter his outer appearance, the pintele Yid is alive inside. It only needs to be awakened.”¹
“Not everyone can be a lamdan. But everyone can be a lamplighter.”²
“Go to the most distant places—not only geographically, but spiritually—and remind every Jew: Hashem loves you.”³
These weren’t inspirational slogans. They were marching orders.
Shlichus: A World on Fire
The Rebbe established Merkos Shlichus, a global initiative where Chabad couples—called shluchim—devote their lives to setting up Torah outposts across the world.
As of 2025, there are:
- Over 5,600 shluchim families⁴
- In more than 100 countries
- Operating thousands of Chabad Houses, schools, mikvaos, campus centers, soup kitchens, summer camps, and shiurim
- Often in communities with no other Torah infrastructure
Whether in Vietnam or Venezuela, Nigeria or Nebraska, Anchorage or Argentina—Chabad is there.
On college campuses, Chabad is often the only Orthodox presence, offering warmth without judgment, Torah without compromise, and community without pressure.
And this is not for a few years. It is for life. Shluchim raise their children, build their homes, and give up comforts and kavod for one goal: to ignite neshamas.
Outside Voices: Gedolim on Chabad
While hashkafic differences may remain, the admiration for Chabad's Ahavas Yisrael spans the Torah world.
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l once commented: “Their mesirus nefesh for spreading Yiddishkeit is a kiddush Hashem. We must admire their devotion, even if we disagree on methods.”⁵
Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l said in public: “The zechus of the Lubavitcher Rebbe is immense. He gave us spiritual children where there were none.”⁶
Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l said to a talmid: “When you see a Jew putting on tefillin in Alaska because a Chabad bochur flew in, that is a lesson in Ahavas Yisrael greater than many mussar sefarim.”⁷
Rav Yisroel Belsky zt”l told a group of bochurim: “Go learn how Chabad cares. They don’t ask who you are before inviting you in. That’s real Ahavas Yisrael.”⁸
Rav Dovid Cohen (Chevron) was once asked about Chabad kiruv methods and said: “You don’t have to imitate them. But you certainly have to respect them.”⁹
Why Chabad Gets Its Own Post
This website gives Chabad its own space not because they are perfect (no group is), but because they are persistent. Not because we agree on everything, but because we must honor what is true.
- Chabad lives with mesirus nefesh.
- Chabad doesn’t just talk about outreach—they move across oceans for it.
- Chabad doesn’t only light Shabbos candles—they light up souls.
And most importantly:
Chabad is mekarev Jews whom no one else is reaching.
To write about kiruv without highlighting Chabad would be incomplete.
Conclusion: The Revolution of Ahavas Yisrael
The Lubavitcher Rebbe once said:
“The world says: if you can’t light up the whole room, at least light your corner. But I say: if you light your candle with truth, you’ll be amazed how far the light can travel.”¹⁰
He lit that candle. And today, the world is aglow.
May we learn from Chabad’s example. And may their zechus protect all of Klal Yisrael.
Footnotes & Sources
- Likutei Sichos, Vol. 2, Shabbos Teshuvah 5720
- Sicha of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Chanukah 5712
- Igros Kodesh, Vol. 4, Letter #1024
- Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and Chabad.org global statistics, 2024
- Testimony from Rav Auerbach’s talmid in Meoros Nosson
- Speech recorded in Yalkut Yosef Hespedim, Vol. 3, p. 212
- Oral tradition cited by Rabbi Yitzchak Adlerstein and in Sefer Zikaron
- Recollections from OU NCSY kiruv staff; quoted in Bechavrusa newsletter
- Personal interview with Rav Dovid Cohen (Chevron) by Lev L’Achim, internal publication
- Hitvaaduyos, 5744, Vol. 2