Israeli President Facebooks Chabad

By COLlive reporter

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin took to Facebook to extend his wishes to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement on their day of celebration known as the Rosh Hashana of Chassidus.

In a public message posted on Monday evening, Rivlin recognized the 19th of Kislev as “the celebration of redemption for the Chabad Chassidus.”

The day marked the freedom of Chabad’s founder, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, known as the Alter Rebbe, from czarist prison and resuming his teachings of Chassidus.

Rivlin called Lubavitchers “people blessed with an infectious joy of life, filled with a sense of mission and a desire to add light to every place they come to.”

As reported on COLlive.com, Rivlin paid an emotional visit to the rebuilt Chabad center in Mumbai during his state visit in India this past month.

“To them, there is no soul that doesn’t shine,” he wrote, and added that “in my heart there is a warm spot reserved for Chabad.”

He explained that the Rebbe and his late father, Professor Yosef Yoel Rivlin who was a scholar of Semitic languages, had corresponded.

“As a tribute on this special day, attached is a letter sent by the Rebbe to my father in 1969,” Rivlin wrote and posted a copy of that full page letter.

“Chag Sameach, dear Chabadnikim!” the President concluded in his message.

Israel’s Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri also wrote a public post to thank the Chabad movement for its dedication to the Jewish people worldwide.

“This day that occurs on the eve of Chanukah symbolizes the Jewish spirit that breaks through all all and overcomes all limitations,” the leader of the Shas party wrote.

“It is this special spirit that Chabad chassidim bring to every Jew in the world – even the most distant one,” he wrote and concluded with, “L’Chaim chassidim!”