Editing Menachem Mendel Schneerson (section)

==Global positions==

=== United States ===
Schneerson spoke of the position of the United States as a world superpower, and would praise what he considered its foundational values of '"[[E pluribus unum]]'—from many one", and "[[In God We Trust]]".<ref>Menachem M. Schneerson, [http://www.chabad.org/1180692 The Difference Between Faith and Trust]. January 15, 1981.</ref> He called on the government to develop independent energy, and not need to rely on totalitarian regimes whose countries national interests greatly differed from the U.S.<ref>Yosef Abramowitz, [http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Better-Energy-The-Rebbes-energy-361147 "Better Energy, The Rebbe's Energy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008195423/http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Better-Energy-The-Rebbes-energy-361147 |date=October 8, 2014 }}. ''The Jerusalem Post'', January 7, 2014.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=America's Mandate: Energy Independence – Part 1 |url=https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/livingtorah/player_cdo/aid/394468/jewish/Americas-Mandate-Energy-Independence-Part-1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/livingtorah/player_cdo/aid/394468/jewish/Americas-Mandate-Energy-Independence-Part-1.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=Chabad.org}}</ref> Schneerson also called for the U.S. Government to use its influence on countries who were receiving its foreign aid to do more for the educational and cultural needs of their deprived citizens.<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/816546 The Start of "Education Day USA"], compiled by Dovid Zaklikowski.</ref><ref>Joseph Telushkin, ''[[Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History]]''. HarperCollins, 2014. Page 162.</ref>

Schneerson placed a strong emphasis on education and often spoke of the need of a moral educational system for all people. He was an advocate of a [[United States Department of Education|Department of Education]] as a separate cabinet position from the [[United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare|Department of Health, Education and Welfare]].<ref>Sue Fishkoff, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4R7zbndjTRgC&dq=schneerson+department+of+education&pg=PA192 The Rebbe's Army]''. Random House, 2003. Pages 192-193.</ref> Schneerson proclaimed 1977 as a "Year of Education" and urged Congress to do the same. He stated that education "must think in terms of a 'better living' not only for the individual, but also for the society as a whole. The educational system must, therefore, pay more attention to the building of character, with emphasis on moral and ethical values. Education must put greater emphasis on the promotion of fundamental human rights and obligations of justice and morality, which are the basis of any human society".<ref>Menachem M. Schneerson, [http://www.chabad.org/1167634 "Education is the Cornerstone of Humanity"]. April 18, 1978.</ref>
[[File:Reagan_receives_menorah_1986.jpg|right|thumb|259x259px|President [[Ronald Reagan]] receives menorah from the "American Friends of Lubavitch", White House, 1984]]
The Ninety-Fifth Congress of the United States issued a Joint Resolution proclaiming 1978 as a Year of Education and designating April 18, 1978, as "Education Day, U.S.A.".<ref>95th Congress, [[s:Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 92 Part 1.djvu/254|Public Law 95-262]]. Apr. 17. 1978.</ref> Each year since, the President of the United States has proclaimed Schneerson's birthday as "Education Day, U.S.A." in his honor.<ref>Ron Kampeas, [http://www.jta.org/2009/04/05/news-opinion/united-states/obama-marks-schneersons-education-day Obama: Schneerson’s legacy is ‘brighter future’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031004730/http://www.jta.org/2009/04/05/news-opinion/united-states/obama-marks-schneersons-education-day |date=October 31, 2014 }}. April 15, 2011, Jewish Telegraphic Agency.</ref>

During his life, Schneerson had great influence on numerous political leaders from across the aisle, many of whom would seek his advice. He was visited by presidents, prime ministers, governors, senators, congressmen and mayors. Notable among them are John F. Kennedy, [[Robert Kennedy]], [[Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr.]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Jimmy Carter]], [[Jacob Javits]], [[Ed Koch]], [[Rudy Giuliani]], [[David Dinkins]] and [[Joe Lieberman]].<ref name="farfromempty">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/nyregion/15rooms.html |title=No One There, But This Place Is Far From Empty |work=The New York Times |date=January 14, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419033456/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/nyregion/15rooms.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Ehrlich, M. Avrum, The Messiah of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidim Past and Present, (KTAV Publishing, January 2005) p. 109. {{ISBN|0-88125-836-9}}</ref>

According to Howard Mortman's book,  ''When Rabbis Bless Congress'', Schneerson was the rabbi most mentioned in Congress.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jewish prayers on Capitol Hill: From Lincoln to Roosevelt to Biden|url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/jewish-prayers-on-capitol-hill-from-lincoln-to-roosevelt-to-biden-668102|access-date=May 13, 2021|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post &#124; Jpost.com|language=en-US|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513153652/https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/jewish-prayers-on-capitol-hill-from-lincoln-to-roosevelt-to-biden-668102|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Israel===
Schneerson took great interest in the affairs of the state of Israel, and did whatever was in his power to support the infrastructure of the state and advance its success.<ref name="commentarymagazine.com" /><ref>The Messiah of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidim Past and Present, M. Avrum Ehrlich, p. 105. KTAV Publishing, {{ISBN|0-88125-836-9}}</ref> He was concerned with the nation's agricultural,<ref>The Letter and the Spirit, pages 251-252</ref> industrial and overall economic welfare,<ref>The Letter and the Spirit, page 324</ref> and sought to promote its scientific achievements, and enhance its standing in the international community.<ref>Letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe vol. 5, page 234</ref> Schneerson consistently recognized the role of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) and stated that those who serve in the Israeli army perform a great ''[[mitzvah]]''.<ref>The Afterlife of Scholarship Page 106 (Oporto Press, 2011)</ref>

In 1950, Schneerson encouraged the establishment of Israel's first automobile company, [[Autocars Co.]] (Hebrew: אוטוקרס) of Haifa. By 1956, the company was responsible for 28% of Israel's exports. Schneerson established a network of trade schools in Israel to train Israeli youth, new immigrants and Holocaust survivors. In 1954, Schneerson established a school for carpentry and woodwork. In 1955, he established a school for agriculture. In 1956, he established a school for printing and publishing and, in 1957, a school for textiles.<ref>Joseph Telushkin, ''[[Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History]]''. HarperCollins, 2014. Page 478.</ref> Although he never visited Israel, many of Israel's top leadership made it a point to visit him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chabad.org/1038748 |title= Faithful and Fortified |publisher=Jewish Educational Media}}</ref> Israeli President [[Zalman Shazar]] would visit Schneerson whenever he came to New York and corresponded extensively with him, as would Prime Minister [[Menachem Begin]] who visited Schneerson numerous times, including a famous visit before going to Washington to meet President Carter.<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/132942 Begin with the Rebbe] ''Jewish Educational Media''</ref> [[Ariel Sharon]], who had a close relationship with Schneerson,<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/2451287 Sharon and the Rebbe]. ''Jewish Educational Media''</ref> often quoted his views on military matters and sought his advice when he considered retiring from the military. Schneerson advised the general to remain at his post.<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/2458367 The Rebbe to Sharon: Don't Leave the IDF], letter to Ariel Sharon, translated from the original Hebrew.</ref> [[Yitzhak Rabin]],<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/2684113 Rabin with the Rebbe]. ''Jewish Educational Media''</ref> [[Shimon Peres]] and [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/1001699 Dont Be Intimidated] ''Jewish Educational Media''</ref> also visited and sought Schneerson's advice. Israeli politicians and military experts who came to consult with him were surprised by his detailed knowledge of their country's local affairs and international situation.<ref name="commentarymagazine.com"/> Despite his advisory meetings with American and Israeli political notables, Schneerson stated his nonpartisan policy many times, warning of his non-involvement in politics.<ref>Joseph Telushkin, ''[[Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History]]''. HarperCollins, 2014. Page 563.</ref><ref>Menacehm M. Schneerson, [http://www.chabad.org/498519 "I don't interfere in politics"]. April 1, 1990.</ref>

Schneerson publicly expressed his view that the safety and stability of Israel were in the best interests of the United States, calling Israel the front line against those who want the anti-Western nations to succeed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB_khjit9ns  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/TB_khjit9ns| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Lubavitcher Rebbe On Syria and Iran |via=YouTube |date=July 14, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He was opposed to [[land for peace]], which he called an "illusion of peace," saying that it would not save lives, but harm lives. Schneerson stated that this position was not based on nationalistic or other religious reasons, but purely out of concern for human life.<ref>Joseph Telushkin, ''[[Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History]]''. HarperCollins, 2014. Pages 271-290.</ref> Benjamin Netanyahu said that, while he was serving as [[Israel's ambassador to the United Nations]] in 1984, Schneerson told him: "You will be serving in a house of darkness, but remember that even in the darkest place, the light of a single candle can be seen far and wide ..." Netanyahu later retold this episode in a speech at the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]], on September 23, 2011.<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/1632210 The Light of Truth at the UN], (video) Excerpt: Prime Minister Netanyahu at the General Assembly, September 23, 2011.</ref>

Just before the outbreak of the [[Six-Day War]], Schneerson called for a global [[Tefillin]] campaign to see that Jews observe the [[Mitzvah]] of wearing Tefillin as a means of ensuring divine protection against Israel's enemies.<ref>Challenge, page 144, Jerrold & Sons</ref> Speaking to a crowd of thousands of people on May 28, 1967, only a few days before the outbreak of the war, he assured the world that Israel would be victorious.<ref>Menachem M. Schneerson, [http://www.chabad.org/1515871 G-d is Guarding His Children; You Can Help], ''Jewish Educational Media''</ref> He said Israel had no need to fear as God was with them, quoting the verse, "the Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers".<ref>Collier, Bernard L. (May 27, 1968). "Hassidic Jews Confront Hippies to Press a Joyous Occasion". The New York Times. pp. 49</ref> Within the [[Haredi]] community, criticism of the campaign was voiced at the [[Agudat Yisrael|Agudat Israel]] convention of 1968. However, following the incident, [[Yitzchok Hutner]], a prominent Orthodox rabbi who had corresponded with Schneersohn in the past,<ref>Igros Kodesh, M.M. Schneerson, Kehot 1998 Vol. 7, pp. 2, 49, 192, 215; Vol. 12, pp. 28, 193; Vol. 14, pp. 167, 266; Vol. 18, p. 251; Vol. 25, pp. 18-20; and Vol. 26, p. 485.</ref> wrote to Schneerson privately, distancing himself from the convention. Hutner wrote that he had not been at the convention and asked forgiveness for any pain his earlier letters (discussing halachic issues regarding the tefillin campaign) may have caused.<ref>Mibeis Hagenozim, B. Levin, Kehot 2009, p.89.</ref>

After the [[Operation Entebbe]] rescue, in a public talk on August 16, 1976, Schneerson applauded the courage and selflessness of the IDF, "who flew thousands of miles, putting their lives in danger for the sole purpose of possibly saving the lives of tens of Jews." He said: "their portion in the Hereafter is guaranteed."<ref>Rapoport, Chaim. ''The Afterlife of Scholarship''. p. 88 {{ISBN|9780615538976}}</ref><ref>Sichot Kodesh 5736, vol. 2, page 625</ref> He was later vilified by ultra-[[Haredi]] rabbis for publicly praising the courage of the IDF and suggesting that God chose them as a medium through which he would send deliverance to the Jewish people.<ref>Mintz, Jerome. Hasidic People: A Place in the New World, page 52. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, 1992</ref> Schneerson protested vehemently against those elements within the ultra-Haredi society who sought to undermine the motivations and actions of the soldiers.<ref>Harris, Ben. ''"Chassidic Sects Battle Each Other"'', Canadian Jewish News, April 1, 1977</ref><ref>Sichot Kodesh 5736, vol. 2, pages 626-627</ref>

Schneerson opposed Israel returning any territory captured in the Six Day War.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peace in the Land |url=https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/2511905/jewish/Peace-in-the-Land.htm |website=[[Chabad.org]] |quote=Since the Six Day War in 1967, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shlita, has unceasingly expressed his opposition to surrendering any of the liberated territories.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nadler |first=Allan |author-link=Allan Nadler |date=April 14, 1990 |title=From Zion, Not From Brooklyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/14/opinion/from-zion-not-from-brooklyn.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231006123652/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/14/opinion/from-zion-not-from-brooklyn.html |archive-date=6 Oct 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=Menachem Mendel Schneerson's latest intervention in the politics of the sovereign Jewish state is based on his conviction that the return of so much as one inch of ''holy territory'' to ''heathens'' violates rabbinic law.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Saidov |first=Yossi |date=Jul 7, 2022 |title=Messiah? Missionary? The Lubavitcher Rebbe Was First and Foremost a Trailblazing Social Entrepreneur |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-07-07/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/messiah-missionary-the-rebbe-was-first-and-foremost-a-social-entrepreneur/00000181-da06-d19b-a3bb-de963d9d0000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230622114254/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-07-07/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/messiah-missionary-the-rebbe-was-first-and-foremost-a-social-entrepreneur/00000181-da06-d19b-a3bb-de963d9d0000 |archive-date=22 Jun 2023 |work=[[Haaretz]] |quote=He opposed the peace treaty with Egypt and objected to the idea of Israel handing over any territory at all.}}</ref>

===Soviet Jewry===
Schneerson greatly encouraged the Jews who lived in Communist states. He sent many emissaries on covert missions to sustain Judaism under Communist regimes and to provide them with their religious and material needs.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Hyam Maccoby |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-rabbi-menachem-schneerson-1422311.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-rabbi-menachem-schneerson-1422311.html |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Obituary: Rabbi Menachem Schneerson - People  |work=[[The Independent]] |date=June 13, 1994 |access-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> Many Jews from behind the Iron Curtain corresponded with Schneerson, sending their letters to him via secret messenger and addressing Schneerson in code name as 'Grandfather'.<ref>Joseph Telushkin, ''[[Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History]]''. HarperCollins, 2014. Page 299.</ref>

Schneerson opposed demonstrations on behalf of Soviet Jews, stating that he had evidence that they were harming Russia's Jews. Instead, he advocated quiet diplomacy, which he said would be more effective.<ref>Telushkin, Pp. 291-292.</ref><ref>JTA, [http://archive.jta.org/article/1970/12/31/2955421/lubavitcher-hassidim-oppose-public-demonstrations-on-behalf-of-soviet-jews Lubavitcher Hassidim Oppose Public Demonstrations on Behalf of Soviet Jews] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114014636/http://www.jta.org/1970/12/31/archive/lubavitcher-hassidim-oppose-public-demonstrations-on-behalf-of-soviet-jews |date=November 14, 2013 }} December 31, 1970.</ref> Schneerson did whatever was in his power to push for the release of Jews from the former Soviet Union and established schools, communities and other humanitarian resources to assist with their absorption into Israel. On one known occasion he instructed Senator [[Chic Hecht]] to provide President Ronald Reagan with contact information of people who wished to leave so that he could lobby their release.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.chabad.org/523711 |date=May 15, 2006 |title=Obituary: Senator Jacob ("Chic") Hecht (1929-2006)}}</ref>

Following the [[Chernobyl disaster]] in 1986, Schneerson called for efforts to rescue Ukrainian Jewish children from Chernobyl and founded a special organization for this purpose.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ccoc.net/who-we-are/our-story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703053727/http://www.ccoc.net/who-we-are/our-story |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |title=Our Story - Who We Are |publisher=Chabad's Children of Chernobyl |access-date=November 13, 2013 }}</ref> The first rescue flight occurred on August 3, 1990, when 196 Jewish children were flown to Israel and brought to a shelter campus. Since then, thousands of children have been rescued and brought to Israel, where they receive housing, education, and medical care in a supportive environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eglash |first=Ruth |url=http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Chabads-Children-of-Chernobyl-project-as-vital-as-ever |title=Chabad's Children of Chernobyl project 'as vital as ever' |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=April 26, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113112746/http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Chabads-Children-of-Chernobyl-project-as-vital-as-ever |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Natan Sharansky]], the Chairman of the Jewish Agency, said that Chabad Lubavitch was an essential connector to Soviet Jewry during the Cold War,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lightstone |first=Mordechai |url=http://lubavitch.com/news/article/2033157/Trending-Topics-Natan-Sharansky-Praises-Work-of-Chabad-at-Federation-General-Assembly.html |title=Natan Sharansky Praises Work of Chabad at Federation General Assembly |publisher=Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters |date=November 7, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113112941/http://lubavitch.com/news/article/2033157/Trending-Topics-Natan-Sharansky-Praises-Work-of-Chabad-at-Federation-General-Assembly.html |archive-date=November 13, 2013 }}</ref> while Shimon Peres has stated that it's to Schneerson's credit that "Judaism in the Soviet Union has been preserved".<ref>Telushkin, page 566</ref>