The world’s longest Zoom meeting just concluded in preparation of Shabbat!
It all started last weekend, as Shabbat ended in New Zealand as part
of this year’s virtual international conference of Chabad Shluchim. Originally, it was supposed to travel around the world once with Rabbis from each time zone leading the online program. It was so inspiring, that fully spontaneously it continued its rotation around the globe for the entire week.
It lasted over 130 hours. As there are thousands of Chabad rabbis around the world and in every time zone, there was always someone sharing an inspiring Torah thought, a motivational story, or a word of encouragement. At times, it would max out on the 1,000 person limit. In two words: non-stop inspiration. The cliche if life gives you lemons, turn it into lemonade, certainly rang true. Unable to convene in-person, this turned out to be more beautiful than imagined or anticipated. Sometimes, life is straightforward. More often, it is filled with twists and turns and rollercoaster-like experiences. The blessing that Jacob receives from Isaac begins "And may G-d give you..". Why the word and at the opening of the sentence? What was given before? And if one receives a divine (and thus limitless) gift, what would be left to receive? The answer is that there are two different gifts, because there are two kinds of experiences. The obvious, straightforward, simple type, when things are just working out and moving forward. And the challenging, unanticipated, curveball type. Where one needs to be flexible, adapt, and tackle whatever life throws at them. The blessing "And may G-d give you.." insinuates that there was the obvious gift, when the sun shines upon you, and everything is rosy. But it doesn't end there. Even when there are storm clouds, and you feel like a ship tossing about the waves of life, Hashem sends his blessing then as well. And those blessings are the most powerful. May we all experience tremendous revealed blessings! In this spirit, we are happy to announce that yes, of course, Chanukah is happening, in an even grander fashion than usual, and in the safest possible manner. Please see below for the "Drive-Thru Chanukah Experience" and join us as we light up the world!