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Since Covid, despite no longer following any of those Covid-era distancing rules, UAlbany has continued the individualized scheduled slots for “stage-crossings” as a key component of the Graduation/Commencement experience.
This 2026 all such stage-crossings at UAlbany are located in the “Broadview Arena” which seems quite fitting, since crossing to the next stage of their lives post-college will require a broader view, especially in today’s world.
But stage-crossings, especially at such a meaningful juncture, recalls a dream of the Mitteler Rebbe, its interpretation by the Alter Rebbe, (as written in Lekutei Diburim) and its lessons and relevance for us:
Here’s the story of “The Dream of the River Crossings”:
The Mitteler Rebbe once came to see the Alter Rebbe, alarmed and distraught. He told his father that his heart was troubled by a strange dream.
In his dream he had seen a river. Its clear waters flowed vigorously, and though it continuously flowed, it was still and smooth, there were little to no waves. Two men wearing long garments were seen approaching; the taller man had one leg thicker than the other. The Alter Rebbe was now seen to appear. The three then walked together, their arms in firm embrace, the shorter man in the middle, the taller man to his left and the Alter Rebbe to his right. They continued until they came upon a broader, more vibrant river, whose multi-colored waters flowed rapidly. In this second river, the waves rose and fell on all sides, more vigorously and turbulently, like the waves of the sea.
While this was happening, the Mitteler Rebbe heard the authoritative voice of the shorter man in his dream. He was pointing at the Alter Rebbe and ordering him to walk along a floating board. The Alter Rebbe walked straight along it until he reached the end, and then wanted to move it further along. However, the shorter man beckoned him to return, and said: “With the power of these waves of water, one can pass intact even through waves of fire.”
The Alter Rebbe explained to his son that the shorter person was the Baal Shem Tov; the other was the Maggid of Mezritch, who suffered from pain in his leg. The river was filled with the tears of baalei teshuvah to whom the Alter Rebbe had dedicated his efforts.