Diffusion of the Rebbe
This week is a big week for Chabad. Wednesday marks 70 years since the Rebbe became Rebbe. Many people wonder why we're celebrating the day on which the Rebbe took over leadership of Chabad if he passed away 26 years ago. People also wonder why Chabad hasn't appointed a new Rebbe. The simple answer to the second question is because his shoes can't be filled. There's a deeper answer though, which answers the first question too. Even before officially becoming Rebbe, he would give the honor of officiating weddings with certain conditions. About 12 years into his leadership, he officially stopped, due to lack of time. At the same time, he encouraged people to have their wedding ceremony outside of his office, would listen in on occasion, and assured couples that this was "the same" as him performing the wedding. About 20 years later, he stopped giving private audiences (yechidus), again because of time constraints, but started giving out dollars on Su