11 Nissan in Italy: The Rebbe’s Message through Matzot, Tefillin, and Education

Yesterday, 11 Nissan, we celebrated the birth of the Rebbe of Lubavitch — a day that is not merely a date on the calendar, but an opportunity to reflect, take action, and renew our commitment to the mission he entrusted to us.

Amidst the heart of Pesach preparations, this day saw extraordinary mobilization by the shluchim throughout Italy. One of the most striking moments came in Rome’s old Jewish Ghetto, where matzot were distributed and passersby were invited to don tefillin — in honor of the Rebbe and in preparation for the holiday. A simple yet powerful gesture, embodying the Rebbe’s message: to bring the light of Torah into every corner of the world — especially into the streets.

Rav Labi shared a message in honor of the Day of Education and Sharing, officially established in recognition of the Rebbe’s birthday. His words call us to the daily responsibility of growth, inspiration, and building a more conscious society:

“Education is not only a right: it is a responsibility, a daily commitment to building a more just, aware, and united society.”

In this context, we also recall a meaningful testament to the Rebbe’s relationship with Italy: a letter addressed to Hon. Aldo Aniasi, Member of Parliament, in which the Rebbe expresses appreciation for his birthday wishes and emphasizes the importance of educational and religious institutions in Milan supported by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement:

“In the name of our movement, and also on a personal level, I reciprocate your blessings with prayer, recalling G‑d’s promise to the Patriarch Abraham: ‘I will bless those who bless you.’ May you and your loved ones be blessed abundantly, both materially and spiritually.”

11 Nissan is not a standalone occasion: it is an invitation to carry forward — through Pesach and beyond — the mission the Rebbe placed in each of our hands.

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