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This week, thousands of Chabad emissaries are gathering in New York for our annual International Conference of Shluchim. They come from every corner of the world, representing Jewish communities of every size. Many face enormous challenges, from rising antisemitism to the everyday struggle of keeping Jewish life vibrant and connected. Yet they return year after year with the same determination, optimism, and faith in the future. Where does that confidence come from?
There is a powerful lesson about faith in this week's Torah portion.
Abraham sends his servant Eliezer on a mission to find a wife for Isaac. When Eliezer arrives in Charan, he prays to G‑d for success. He asks for a specific sign: the young woman who offers him water and also volunteers to water his camels will be the right one.
Before he even finishes praying, Rebecca appears and does exactly that. Eliezer immediately recognizes that his prayer has been answered.
Notice something remarkable. Eliezer didn't pray and then wait anxiously to see what would happen. He approached his mission with complete confidence that G‑d would guide him to success. He still had challenges ahead, but he never doubted that the mission would work out.
That's an important lesson for all of us. Faith doesn't mean knowing exactly how things will unfold. It means moving forward with the confidence that our efforts matter and that G‑d is guiding the journey.
That’s the spirit of the Annual Conference of Chabad Emissaries. As we pray for Israel, for Jews everywhere, and for a world filled with peace and goodness, let’s do so with the same confidence as Eliezer. We don't know how or when things will change, but we can move forward with the certainty that better days are ahead.
Shabbat shalom!
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