Who Gave Chabad the Responsibility?!

The world no longer calls us the "Israelites." We are called the "Jews," a name derived from Jacob's fourth son, Judah—Yehudah in Hebrew.

From Judah's descendants, the Davidic dynasty emerged, the only enduring Jewish dynasty.

But how does Judah, the fourth son of Leah, with neither the birthright nor the priesthood, become "king over his brothers"?

In one word: Responsibility.

In the most critical moments of their lives, when the ten brothers of Joseph stood before him, trying to redeem their brother Benjamin, Judah stepped forward and took responsibility. He declared: "I, your servant, guaranteed to return the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will have sinned against my father for all time.’"

When everyone faced a common problem, Judah took personal responsibility.

This is how Jewish leadership is forged—by those who step out and step forward.

Have you ever wondered why presidents, heads of state, and governors around the world choose to light the Menorah alongside Chabad? Did anyone select or appoint Chabad as the "representatives" of the Jewish people?

Nobody did.

Seventy-five years ago, on a cold winter night, perhaps 100 people gathered in a small shul in Brooklyn. A young man, who was soon to become The Rebbe, turned to the assembled and called on them to take responsibility for the Jewish people and Judaism by committing to influence ten fellow Jews in this regard.

Thus, a movement was born—a movement of taking responsibility.

To be a Jew means to take responsibility. And so, we are called Judah.