Break past the impossible

This Sunday marks Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe’s 31st yahrzeit. I will be traveling with my family to the Ohel, where thousands will gather throughout the day. Lines will stretch for hours as people wait for the chance to say a brief prayer at this holy site.
The Rebbe is not simply a great leader or an inspiring personality. There are many such figures in the world. What makes the Rebbe unique is not only his wisdom and leadership, but his complete oneness with G-d and dedication to both G-d and humanity. A Moses-like figure in our time, the Rebbe stands alone in how fully he embodied that sacred mission.
But what is so revolutionary about the Rebbe? How did he manage to impact every Jewish community across the globe, and touch countless lives far beyond the Jewish world, in ways we have never seen before in history? And how is it that, 31 years after his physical passing, his influence continues to grow stronger?
There is, of course, much to say. But one idea I’ve been reflecting on lately, which I will try to share as simply as I can, is how the Rebbe taught us to see more deeply, beyond the surface of things. For over 40 years, he taught and lived a way of life that revealed the true depth of what a human being is capable of. He showed us what it means to be a Jew and our role in the world today. He did this not only as a brilliant scholar but also, and even more importantly, as a practitioner. He demonstrated that this was not just a philosophy. It was a way of life that could be lived and practiced each day.
So often, we think we can either do one thing or another, but not both. We see our limitations. From our human perspective, we may be right. But the Rebbe reminded us to see ourselves from G-d’s perspective. If He wants us to accomplish something, even something that seems contradictory or impossible, then we can. We just need to open our eyes and tap into the strength and capacity that’s already within us: a G-dly strength.
In Chassidic and Kabbalistic terms, this is called Atzmus—the essence. On the surface, there are limits and obstacles. But at the core, in the essence, there are none. Just as G-d is infinite, so too can we reach beyond boundaries, because the soul He gave us is literally a part of Him.
This means that when G-d gives us a mission, even one that seems out of reach, if we dig deeper and draw from our inner essence, we can achieve it. This is a Messianic way of seeing and engaging with the world. The prophets describe a future without jealousy, with peace, abundance, and a deep desire for spirituality. And while some might say that is a global vision for the time of Moshiach, which may seem out of reach or impossible today, the Rebbe showed us that we can begin living that reality right now in our own lives. It takes effort, energy, study, and contemplation. But when we succeed, we can reach a real sense of inner peace and wholeness.
This worldview is not only liberating. It transforms how we live, for ourselves, for others, and for G-d. When we access our essence, we can achieve what once felt impossible. When we see the essence of another, we can truly love them for who they are. And through both, we begin to make this world a suitable place for G-d’s essence.
King Solomon wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The ideas the Rebbe taught and lived were not fundamentally new. They are all in the Torah. What is new was how he revealed them to us, and showed us how to integrate them into our lives in a practical and transformative way.
In Judaism, we believe everything we see and hear should teach us something. Think about the recent advancements in AI, or the extraordinary progress in space exploration. These things are not fundamentally new. The raw materials have always existed. What is new is how human beings have learned to harness and apply them. Just a few years ago, these realities would have been unimaginable. Today, they are tangible.
That’s the gift the Rebbe gave us: not just a vision, but the tools and confidence to break past what we thought was impossible. To reach higher. To live deeper. To touch Heaven and bring it down to earth. Modern science affirms that this is not only a spiritual or mystical goal. It is also practical and real.
I believe this is one of the reasons so many continue to be drawn to the Rebbe, and why 31 years later, his presence and impact remain as alive as ever. I was fortunate to meet him when I was a toddler. Today, I study his teachings, and you can too.