World leaders and more than 1.5 million people filled the streets of Paris on Sunday to condemn terrorism and anti-Semitism in France and worldwide. In the midst of the enormous gathering, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries, students and volunteers were out in full force—helping men wrap tefillin, inspiring women to light Shabbat candles, and encouraging the performance of acts of kindness and good deeds, in particular, the observance of kashrut (kosher laws), following the deadly terrorist attack late Friday at the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket.
Taking their cue from the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, who taught to focus on increasing in goodness—French Jewry is spearheading a campaign to garner mitzvahs in honor of the victims.
The goal, explains Chabad Rabbi Chmouel Lubecki, “is to have 1 million people accept an additional mitzvah or good deed. The idea is spreading through social media like Facebook and WhatsApp. We see tremendous traction, as people seek to channel their grief into concrete positive action.”
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