OK let me just clarify the situation. The Rebbe was not born yesterday and this comment was not made yesterday – it was made in 1950 before the Rebbe took on the nesius , when the Rebbe was farbrenging about the Frierdiker Rebbe’s greatness. Now I have never heard of any big shturem that erupted then in the jewish world – either they understood the comments as the chassidim did (which you don’t because you haven’t learned Chassidus and which I can clarify for you if wanted sincerely), or they realized the Rebbe is such a Torah giant that they must not have understood right.
The Rebbe, already when he arrived in America knew the whole Shas in and out, and by Farbrengens, Rabbi Soliveitchik expressed amazement at the Rebbe’s ability to speak for hours on end, with no notes, quoting from kol HaTorah kula, both Nigleh and Chassidus.
So I’m definitely not here to exonerate the Rebbe to you, as it is a chutzpah to think you are in the position to even question the Rebbe.
For example, my Rebbeim did not endorse zionism, quite the opposite. However I would never tell a zionist that Rav Kook didn’t know what he is talking about cuz I know Torah better and he doesn’t make sense.
I would never do such a thing because I’m a Torah yid abs we don’t treat Daas Torah that way. If he asks me why I’m not a zionist, I would quote what my Rebbeim said as they have the ability to disagree because they’re on the same level. But I would never deign to place myself on the same level as HaRav Kook, and I would expect the same of every Torah he.
Now that doesn’t mean you can’t ask questions. But there is definitely a way to ask. Such as “I don’t understand how the Rebbe could have said this because I don’t see how that can fit with this Rambam….”
And in such a case I’ll be happy to clarify, of course I can use the Rebbe to clarify his own statements.
So if that’s what you want, great. If you are just looking to bash lubavitch and the Rebbe Chas vsholom, at your own risk, I will definitely not be party to such a discussion.
Joseph, you had a sincere question and I’ll be happy to answer. You always phrase things appropriately in my experience. Toi let me know where you stand.