New York – Back when I was serving as a Chabad emissary at Oxford University, the great British philosopher Isaiah Berlin, who had befriended me, once told me that while he admired my work bringing Jewish students closer to their tradition, he was utterly opposed to the large menorah I erected in the city center each year. “My cousin” — by which he meant his relative, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson — “is a missionary. But this is not our country, and we have no right to impose our religion on its citizens.” Sir Isaiah was voicing the discomfort felt by some with Chabad’s high-profile Jewish outreach.
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Indeed, for all its outstanding work, and even as it slowly assumes a position of mainstream world Jewish leadership, the Chabad–Lubavitch movement surprisingly still arouses suspicion, even among many of those it serves. The refrains are common: Aren’t Lubavitchers a little bit too idolatrous in their hero-worship of the Rebbe? Haven’t many crossed a line in their messianic zeal and insistence on the Rebbe as the messiah? And aren’t they contemptuous of non-Jews and American law, as evidenced by the recent Agriprocessors trial?
I am necessarily defensive on the subject. Chabad has been the love of my life since I was 10 years old. I gravitate toward its passion for Judaism, its emphasis on love for every Jew and its members’ preparedness to spread their movement’s message throughout the world, often at great personal sacrifice.
That does not mean that in the intervening period I have not come to see some of Chabad’s shortcomings. I would prefer that there was less pressure toward conformity, however subtle, in a movement in which people dress alike and often think too much alike. And I wish that Chabad more fully embraced the Rebbe’s own outreach to non-Jews in spreading the light of Jewish values. This, in particular, is a sore point with me since my own falling out with the Chabad leadership in Britain centered around the thousands of non-Jewish Oxford students who had joined my L’Chaim Society.
But none of this has diminished my enthusiasm for the Chabad movement, which I view as the great hope for the Jewish future. And it is high time that Jewish officialdom got beyond its suspicion and showed some real appreciation for Chabad’s work.
Yes, Chabad messianism is deeply misguided, and many within the movement regard it as a source of embarrassment. But it is mostly benign. For me, the people in Chabad who believe the Rebbe is the messiah do so largely as an expression of deep emotional attachment to the memory of a leader who was irreplaceable. The messianists cause discomfort, but they advocate no changes whatsoever in Jewish law or practice. So are they really bothering anyone, or is this just another cudgel with which to knock a movement whose tremendous growth has fostered no small amount of resentment?
To be sure, the Rebbe-as-messiah notion does not appeal to me in the slightest, and I personally welcome an emphasis on the Rebbe’s humanity rather than his saintliness. I never tell stories of his alleged miracles. It was his righteousness as a man that inspired me. And the Rebbe struggled far more than his followers are prepared to let on. He often spoke of his predisposition toward melancholy. He loved his wife deeply and never fully recovered from her loss. The deaths of Israeli soldiers made him heartsick, and toward the end of his life he feared that short of the advent of the final redemption, his work had been in vain. But human frailty for me is not a liability but a virtue.
The Rebbe-as-man is far more compelling than the Rebbe-as-superman, and I predict that in the next few years Chabad scholars will go beyond the myth, and we will see portrayals of the Rebbe that capture him in all his flesh. Rather than be diminished, his universality will be established by this change. He will cease being the Rebbe of Lubavitch and will instead become Rebbe of the Jewish world.
And why? Because what the Rebbe understood more than anyone else is that ideologies are perpetuated through charismatic leadership.
To most people today, Judaism is simply not compelling. So we keep searching for ways to make synagogues and Jewish classes more interesting, forgetting all the while that it’s not the subject which is boring but rather that many of the teachers seem lifeless.
The Chabad model of charismatic leadership is the single most important ingredient in its success. While most Jewish kids are playing Nintendo Wii at 13, Chabad youth are on the streets of Sydney and Los Angeles asking people if they are Jewish. Do you know what it takes to ask someone, when you are a foot shorter than they are, if they would like to put on tefillin or light a menorah? It’s torture. But you get beyond your shyness, and after doing it for a couple of years, what emerges is a bold and confident personality that is ready to go out to, say, Baton Rouge, La., and erect a menorah right there in the heart of Dixie.
If you can plant the flag of Judaism in some far-off corner of the world where you look funny to most of those watching, let’s just say that by that time you have a pretty sturdy identity, and it is inspiring to all those around who struggle with who they are nearly every day. That is something that the Rebbe understood, even as some of Oxford’s greatest minds missed it.
Shmuely…when you send your kids to day camp, you are supposed to tip the counselors.
Wow – finally someone said it. The Rebbe was great. And yes he is dead but his memory lives on for the wonderful things he did and stood for as a holy saintly man. Think of it, if messiah was to come from the grave, wouldn’t we all prefer “Moses”?
Wow – finally someone said it. The Rebbe was great. And yes he is dead but his memory lives on for the wonderful things he did and stood for as a holy saintly man. Think of it, if messiah was to come from the grave, wouldn’t we all prefer “Moses”?
i find it very disturbing that he is promoting “outreach to non jews”. we as yidden have never been a missionizing people and if anything generally look down upon the entire sugya. i was not aware that this is one of the rebbes tenants and if that is true that only lessens his hashkafos et. all a ton more. i hope this is just motzi shem ra on the part of mr. boteach
Shmuely I finally can agree 100% with one of your articles. Well written
Shmuley, keep up the good work!
I have, for many years, been following the writings and reading the scripts of Rabbi Shmuley. Very few can articulate their thoughts, on Chabad, so precisely and yet have both the ups and downs of the movement.
I disagree with some of the statements written in this article, yet I have the utmost respect for your opinion.
Thank you Rabbi Shmuley. May the lights of Chanukah continue to increase in your life, a new light each day. May your success be greater and greater just as the Chabad Menorahs get bigger and bigger.
Shmuely, stop lecturing us.
Chanuka is here, and one of the main themes of Chanuka is pirsumei nisa – to publicize the miracle. R. Boteach states that he never tells stories of the Rebbe’s miracles. Now is the time to publicize the miracles as per the instructions of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (to serve as inspiration) . I would not be surprised if R. Boteach had some personal miracles he could tell about (before his fallout).
Boteach: My own falling out with the Chabad leadership in Britain centered around the thousands of non-Jewish Oxford students who had joined my L’Chaim Society.
Or was it because he invited (and refused to dis-invite) Yitzchak Rabin to speak at an ostensibly official (as it was really all about Shmuley) Chabad venue?
The LR did NOT advocate “outreach” to non-jews. This is a fantasy on shmulys part. And Shmulie had one main guy (booker) and a couple other wierdos. The LR felt that we do need to influence the nations to keep their mitzvos but also keep a distance
Sounds like one of Obama’s speeches where he presents two sides of an issue, expecting that you will agree with him at its conclusion. The Rebbe was great, but on the other hand………..
A well-written and clever piece of self-promotion by a person with an ego only exceeded by our president’s.
Botech: I never tell stories of his alleged miracles.
Why refrain? Were there not ample and verifiable accounts and was this not an intrinsic aspect of the Rebbe; a ba’al ruach hakodesh and mofsim. Or does Shmuely prefer the comfortably rational Rebbe, the one fits nicely into his own idiosyncratic sensibilities much on par with those of Isiah Berlin. And, apropo to Chanukah, wasn’t that the exact ta’anah of the Yavonim. Reject your mumbo-jumbo about an invisible, ineffable and unknowable creator who governs reality down to the smallest detail. It ain’t rational (i.e., my exalted mind can’t allow for it) and, please, don’t embarrass us by announcing it.
Shmuely, I did admin work for you when you were i the L’Chaim Society and you did a great job. You are still doing a great job and making a big kiddush hashem in the process. Keep doing what you do – you do it best!
“alleged” miracles? I’m you meant miracles….
Rabbi Boteach wrote: “…his universality will be established by this change. He will cease being the Rebbe of Lubavitch and will instead become Rebbe of the Jewish world.”
This sentiment contradicts the entire gist of the article, for this is exactly the type of hubris which misled Lubavitchers to their belief in the Rebbe as Moshiach in the first place.
Given the many streams of Orthodox Jewish expression in the world today, it is the figure of Moshiach who is recognized as the one unifying, universal manhig of all Klal Yisrael. By labelling the Rebbe as “universal,” as the “Rebbe of the Jewish world,” Rabbi Boteach has automatically identified him with Moshiach out of one side of his mouth, while disclaiming such an identification on the other.
I’m sorry Rabbi Boteach, but for all of his saintliness, the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l was never, and will never become the “leader of the Jewish world.” He was not a Chofetz Chaim, nor a Chazon Ish, nor a Rav Moshe Feinstein. Unfortunately, It is this myopic aggrandizement of the Rebbe’s status — unique to Chabad — which underlies the reason why the movement will continue to be regarded with suspicion.
I often disagree with Rabbi Boteach. But it always pays to read what he says carefully. His writings consistently combine a good mind with deep faith and a profoundly compassionate, humanitarian approach to difficult questions.
to 19
I am sorry but the chazan izh (although very smart), hate for Chabad, and Reb Chaim Noah zal, dismisses him from being a Tzadik in anyway. Most chabadnik’s believe that his Shiurim are totally false, and were created to argue on Chaim Noah…….not leshaim shemaim
As a great Rabbi once said “he (the chazan izh) is looking down from gan eden, and is jeulous of the most simple chabad student” as he now sees the greatness of torah’s ha’chasidus that he missed out in this world.
btw you are right the Rebbe was not a moishe feinshtian etc. (all smart Gdolim not neviim or tzdikim as explained in the Tanya) He was a real Tzadik, Novi …..
I seem to recall that Boteach is NOT part of the official Lubavitch hierarchy, and is not recognised as a shliach by the “Shluchim” Office, the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, or the Tseiri Agudat Chabad.
I would be wary of talking against the Chazon ish who many gedolim considered on the level of a ‘rishon’. This is the problem with chabad.. They do not recognise anything but chabad.
to 24
it is not the problem of chabad it is the problem that the litvish think they are the greatest, I wonder which chasidishe Rebbe or Sefardi godal said the Chazon Ish was like a rishon??
Chabad has a lot of respect for gedolim who bought peace to this world and recognized them. Not those who did not. and if they were real gedolim like the Gra, even if they hated chabad they are still very much respected and quated.
I wonder when the Litvish will get out of their lunitic box
Stop this Madness, Go out and love your fellow Jew
to 28 I need to be a bit harsh here, but it is absolutely necessary to stand up for the kavod of a gadol b’Yisrael.
I will stand up for the real godal bi’yisroel the only godal that advocated kiruv for tens of year before all woke up, a tzadik and a ba’al moifes…. who you dare say is not considered a godal hador.
It is because of such disrespect and arrogance by people like you that awake these feelings in me and people like me.
Don’t be foolish, most chabadniks spend time thinking how great their Rebbe is, not how low others are. But when the ignorance and hate begins, that’s when you get this attitude.
(I do learn/quote chofetz chaim, and follow the gra more then litvaks)
Who are you to decide who is a godal? did you learn any seforim on the definishin of a Tzadik, or your litvish rosh yeshiva fed you some opikorsus.
Their was lots of opposition to Chassidus when it began, people believed it to be a colt, yet it flourished to be the main strength of Yidishkeit, chabad does not need your support. The Rebbe’s legacy and teachings will continue to flourish, chabad is main stream Judaism of today, the rebbe has shaped the way yidden do things. (Kiruv is only on of a thousands)
Response to #22 – I am moiche for kovod haTayreh of the Chazein Ish. The commenter doesn’t reach the ankles of the Chazein Ish!
Yoss, it is obvious that you have been severely brainwashed. Your attitude of belittling other gedolim and thinking that only the lubavitcher rebbe was a godol displays your blinkered vision and utter narrow mindedness. You need a full reboot, start learning shas and poskim, and when you have finished, your opinions will have changed drastically. There is no litvak or chossid in the Torah world today that has such chutzpah and disregard for gedolei olam. Shame one you. The wAlter Rebbe is turning in his grave that people like you are representing chabad today.
the rebbe is is far better then you geddolim
shmully boteach is an interesting writer however to belittle the rebbe’s gadlus by saying that he somehow saught charisma is sickening and totally misinterprets an even basic understanding of what a rebbe is. also boteach says the rebbe feared his life’s work had been in vain-where does he get that from?that is so totally the opposite of the positive outlook,even in the bleakest moments,of the rebbe.
haha some of the posts are like…so that’s why this and that about chabad…it just boggles the minds of so many naysayers/kvetchers, when chabad is really running things admirably in every corner of the world and assisting YOU and ME in a multitude of ways. This is all beacuse of the Rebbe whether you like it or not – no one else – guys and girls once and for all – not cazhon ish – not shach – none of em. They were all good for…….well there you have it. hard to read, especially Berger types, but fact is fact.
I a lowly business man – litvish type has been assisted counless times SELFLESSLY by chabad without anything in return. No bills to pay, no sour talks , no self pity – on the contrary no one gives me more HOPE and SPIRIT then a chabad shaliach. Amazing!
It just irks many of us – litvaks or non chasid or whatever you’re called – I say just a few because I talk and have connections with many Mir and CB types and most have total admiration for chabad etc. It will not change, yup, they got some flaws but heck in todays day and age I’ll take chabad style thinking/direction over anything remotely even close period!
Re: the Chazon Ish, zt”l, I’m a Lubavitcher and I find it fairly sad that somebody is denigrating him. I don’t understand this competition between tzaddikim. It just seems immature to me. Lubavitch doesn’t own the monopoly on tzaddikim.
WHAT CAN A LITVISHER KNOW ABOUT TZIDKUS!!!
how can a litvishe talk about levels of tzadikim when they don’t beleive they need to learn anything spiritual. they judge everything by torah learning and we know what the gemara says “zacha naase lo sam hachaim. lo zacha….”. leave the understaning of true spiritual madreigos to those who learn about madreigos.
what does a litvisher know about the idea that a real tzadik does every single move of his, according to the way it is in the world of Atzilus.
the baal shem tov wrote in his tzaava that there ia a man in vilna who the samech mem (i.e. satan) is stuffing with shaas and poskim (and kabala) just in order to fight chassidus. (look it up in the part of tzavo’as harivosh that isn’t widespread… i feel comfortable writing this because it’s anonymous)
i heard from a litvisher that “there was never a rainbow during the life of the Gr”a” . Ha!!! maybe it was because of the baal shem was living then. or maybe the Berditchever, or maybe the Baal Hatanya, or R’ Elimelch of Luzhensk……what can a litvisher know about tzidkus……..
how can a litvisher be a judge on tzidkus…..
what a litvisher judges by, is only Torah learning. and we know what the Gemara says “zacha naase lo sam hachaim. lo zacha…..”.
if you look in Tzavo’as Harivosh (the Baal Shem tov’s Tzavaa) he writes that there is a man in Vilna, who the samach mem (i.e. satan) is stuffing with shaas and poskim….. just in order to fight chassidus…..
A litvisher once told me, “during the entire life of the Gr”a, no rainbow appeared”. i’m sorry but did it ever occur to him that the Baal Shem Tov was alive then, or maybe the Berditchever or maybe the Baal Hatanya v’haShulchan Aruch, or r’ Elimelech of lizhensk, or R’ Nachman Brestlever or R’ Michel Zlotchover…..
what does a litvisher know about the fact that a real tzadik everything he thinks say or does is directly connected with what is going on the world of Atzilus for example. i’m sure most litvishers reading this have know idea what i’m talking about.
learn about spirituality first and then give an opinion.
no chassid informed on the Gr”a. as opposed to Avigdor who had the Baal Hatanya put into prison…….
take it easy im sure the chazon ish was able to learn a bit noone is sayig he couldent learn a blatt gemarabut mach nishtfrom em a gadol
this is not what klal yisroel needs right now, the sinas chinam between us just makes us week. if we’d only use our koach for positive thing helping another person moshiach would be here already.
for the future vin pl dont allow coment’s to such an article.
a frailichen chanukah moshiach now.
The Dark side is rearing it’s ugly head causing this senseless Bickering
Saying that the Lubavitcher Rebbe z”l was a leader of Lubavitch rather than the entire Jewish world is not a “blatant disqualification of the Rebbe.” On the other hand, it is probably also true that Rav Moshe Feinstein z”l was a leader of Litvishe Ashkenazim, not of the entire Jewish world.
Nobody says that Chabad doesn’t do good. But let’s be honest, shall we? We all know that Chabad wants to be mekarev people to Chabad, not mainstream yiddishkeit!! They can deny it, play coy, rant, rave, and scream, but we all know the truth. I have heard it MANY MANY times from people with in the Chabad movement. That is why Chabad has an “us against them” mentality.
It’s a pity. Kiruv is about bringing people closer to Hashem, not jut my Rebbe or your Rebbe. With all the resources that Chabad has, they will always be hostile towards the rest of the frum oilem (except if you are not religious, in which case they will welcome you with open arms, because they can still get this person for Chabad).
Ahavas Yisroel RARELY extends itself from Chabad to other frum yidden (unless the person is modern and a possible cash-cow, in which case Chabad will move a “sheliach” to the boondocks, set up shop, and slowly but surely milk this cash cow). And that is why we need and want mainstream kiruv. And that’s reality folks. Let them deny and act self righteous, but we are not and were never fooled.
Can you tell me why thousands of litvishe and chassidim from all kreizen flocked to the Rebbe to receive his brocho by dollars on Sundays if he was only a manhig of Lubavitch. This is a childish conversation the proof is in the pudding if you mention the chazon ish in a newspaper article you’d have to tell who he was mah she-ein kein when you write the Lubaviycher Rebbe or even The Rebbe stam no explaining is needed. Ask any shliach on the four corners of the globe if their yidden (outside of baltimore & boro park) ever heard of the chazzon Ish and watch their eyebrows whereas The Rebbe, V’shom-o Holeich B’chol Hamedinos.
BS”D I don’t think the Rebbe would be proud of any of us belittling other Rabbis – men of Torah. The Rebbe is MY Rebbe. A chossid follows his Rebbe’s teachings and nosach and minhagim – not only in his name, but as an extension of all of our Rebbeim. It is incumbent upon us to always respect someone big in Torah learning. The Rebbe taught ahavas Yisroel more than anything. This is why he was and is so big. That the Rebbe is Nasi Hador – I have no doubt. That he may very well be the “kli” for Moshiach when Hashem decides it is time…I am there. But this sin’as chinam is not a way to bring Moshiach at all! The goyishe outreach – I am hoping – dealt with education of goyim re the Noachide laws, and not, chas v’shalom, converting goyim as a missionary program. The Alter Rebbe through the Rebbe (as well as many others, including the Rambam) have given us fine guidelines to follow about discussing Torah, etc with goyim. There is a reason for this. We should follow it. It is good that we remain separate from other nations – for we are not the other nations. But we do live amongst them, and it is always every Jew’s “mission” to try and get across the Noachide laws/values.
sounds like an argument about whose team is better, and you’re not even on the team, just a fan.
we’re going to argue about which person is holier? saintier? more knowledgable, a greater leader?
do any debaters here think they are god, a people judge, a tzadik judge?
boteach is entitled to how he experienced a person who he calls his rebbe and how feels about him now. you feel about the rebbe differently? so what? neither of you make or break the rebbe.
it’s easy to see his point that charisma begets enthusiastic followers. are you enthusiatic about judaism? good for you. some people aren’t. some of those people become enthusiatic from others’ enthusiasm.
perhaps if you feel differently, write you own piece (assuming you have some personal perspective that is possibly interesting to others).
In our community every one gets along beautifuly – Livaks, Chasidim, Sefardin,Modern Orthodox – with one notable exception; Chabad!
The shaliach intimidates his followers not to daven at other shuls, or to contribute to other mosdos. He talks badly about Kollel and Litvaks from his pulpit – it’s disgusting!
2 points
1. While Reb Moshe Feinstein was a gaon atzum and a tremendous godol Reb Pinchas Hirshbrung was probably passed his geonus and bekius as we was known for being able to place a pin through any pg in shas and rattling off every word underneath it and R’ Hirshbrung after meeting the Rebbe and testing the Rebbe as he was known for his humble but sharp character and went around testing geonim to find someone that matched him in learning after he left the Rebbes room after he challenged the Rebbe in a closed gemora match reading verbatim etc. he trembled with astonishment and went back to his Yeshiva and klapped on the bima and declared I have travelled the world and I am convinced that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is the biggest Gaon in shas uposkim bavli yerushalmi rishonim achronim.
2. I would say byachad I’m kol zeh the Rebbe is the biggest Gaon and bonified Boki in a different area namely Ahavas V’achdus Yisroel. Having said that let’s not quarrel here as this certainly would not be kfi ruach of the Rebbe and let us respect everyone even out of our own ‘world’
2 points
1. While Reb Moshe Feinstein was a gaon atzum and a tremendous godol Reb Pinchas Hirshbrung was probably passed his geonus and bekius as we was known for being able to place a pin through any pg in shas and rattling off every word underneath it and R’ Hirshbrung after meeting the Rebbe and testing the Rebbe as he was known for his humble but sharp character and went around testing geonim to find someone that matched him in learning after he left the Rebbes room after he challenged the Rebbe in a closed gemora match reading verbatim etc. he trembled with astonishment and went back to his Yeshiva and klapped on the bima and declared I have travelled the world and I am convinced that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is the biggest Gaon in shas uposkim bavli yerushalmi rishonim achronim.
2. I would say byachad I’m kol zeh the Rebbe is the biggest Gaon and bonified Boki in a different area namely Ahavas V’achdus Yisroel. Having said that let’s not quarrel here as this certainly would not be kfi ruach of the Rebbe and let us respect everyone even out of our own ‘world’
reply to #50 :
Im a daughter of shluchim (a shluchah myself) in a city far from yidishkeit, where there is no kosher, no frum schools, i had to go as a young child to learn in a different city far from home.. vechu.
It upsets me to hear how others that are there confortably in a idishe comunity, with all they need (kashrus, chinuch, etc..) say that we chabad mekarev people just for them to become chabad..
Well let me tell you something: BH as many as 80 families, young boys and girls in our city where mekarev since my parents arrived 28 years ago, but went to live somewhere else where it would be easier to be frum- including sao paulo, israel and places in america… and u know what??? most of them are not lubavitchers… they are MO, litvish or ill just say, frume yiden doing more mitzvos. So we are here to bring yidishkeit to people, teach them what they yet dont know, bring them the light of torah and try to make more yiden aware of the treasure weve got!!
So keep ur hatred, jealousy or ignorence to ur self please!!
Enough!! we are all jewish people- one Torah and we need the geulah badly!!!
to my dear friend Shua Cohen I am really sorry if I hurt your feelings, if I did I was wrong, I just feel that you are simply not educated.
1-I deeply respect many gedolim, so do most people in chabad i know. I am not sure you are any more aducated in shas then I am or in Halocho. Yet what u do not know is: Chasidus is as importent (in the humble opinion of my Rebbe) as gemora. (imagain you met a jew who does not learn shas, what will you say??? I think I saw what you wrote!!!)
2-(of course you are intitled to your opinion) but, If you will dear to put down my Rebbe, I will not be silant, and if you used only the CHofetz Chaim, I would have nothing to say about a true holy man full with ahavas yisroel, but if you use the Chazan Ish or aron Kotler, then you give me a lee way to fight back, (which I am only doing because u are begging)
3-EInstein was smart he could learn gemora better then most of us, that is not what makes one a Tzadik, Yes we most respect a Torah schaler, and the greater the schaler, the greater Godal beTorah he is, which makes the chazan ish a true godal!, yet his sinas yisroel, throws him back miles from being a Tzadik hador.., (we should not stress on this C”V)
great wonderful always gret to read what shmuley has to say
I am in general agreement with much of what Rabbi Boteach writes. However, I must take exception to one statement (that the Argiprocrssors trial showed that the owners were contemptuous of non-Jews and American Law). I know the former owners of Agriprocessors and I must report that this statement is not all all accurate. Further, as one who followed the trial I cannot see how the court proceedings demonstrates what The Rabbi contends. It is sad to report that the former owners never quickly enough or properly enough defended themselves from the inaccurate media reports steming from the raid on their plant. Unfortunately for them many of these non-correct reports have become accepted and repeated assumed (but not accurate) “fact”. Our otherwise excellent article illustrates my above point.
he’s right about most of his points,
re the moshiach min hameisim, however he is clearly ignorant of numerous torah sources allowing for such a possibility