Netanyahu Recalls Life-Changing 1984 Meeting With Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently recounted a pivotal encounter with the Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York during a 1984 visit when he served as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations. The meeting took place on Simchat Torah, when Netanyahu was invited by a Hasidic soldier-turned-follower of the Rebbe to attend a gathering of thousands of Hasidim awaiting the Rebbe's appearance. Despite initial hesitation, Netanyahu approached the Rebbe, who engaged him in a 40-minute conversation in Hebrew, during which the Rebbe warned Netanyahu about the UN, calling it the "house of eternal lies," but encouraged him to "light a single candle of truth" even in the darkest places.

Netanyahu described the emotional scene as the Rebbe danced with the Torah scroll after their talk, calling it a moment of witnessing "the eternity of Israel." The Rebbe advised Netanyahu to remain at the UN, but Netanyahu chose to run for the Knesset instead. The Rebbe acknowledged the challenges ahead, telling him he would face opposition from 119 others in the parliament, a prediction Netanyahu admitted was often accurate. The conversation left a lasting impression on Netanyahu, who reflected on the Rebbe's wisdom and the work still to be done in Israeli politics.