There are numerous points being made and although I am not a Rebbe or Rosh Yeshiva I will add my few words. I don’t mean to be Maarich but had no choice.
I (too) grew up in Litvish Yeshivos such as Chaim Berlin, South Fallsburg, Itri etc… My Father’s side of the family comes from the pinnacle of the true Chabad. My Mother’s side comes from true Belz Chassidim. My parents were very Makpid that the children should have a strong Yesode in Nigleh before they embark on learning Chassidus. Once we were finished High School we were given the option if we were interested, to go to a Lubavitch Yeshiva .
My family would go to the Rebbe for Yechidus before Yomim Tovim, before Simchos, for Brachos and to be Shoel Eitzah only when it was seriously needed. I went before my Bar Mitzvah and the Rebbe asked me to repeat my P’shetl and also asked me about the Maamar. I also asked for his Brocho when I was ready to get engaged, before my Chasunah and once again on the day of my Chasunah.
I slept in the same house when R’ Yaakov Kamenetzsky was there (another time when R’ Chaim Kreizworth was there). We had simple family type of conversation in the kitchen. I went to R’ Moshe Feinsten, Skulener Rebbe, R’ Shneur Kotler, R’ Shmuel Birnbaum, the Satmar Rebbe including to his Levaya and more. I went there to daven, for Brochos etc… My sisters married Youngerleit from Bobov, Torah V’Daas, Noverminsk and Lubavitch. My Shver is a Yerushalmi who learnt in Ponovitch, his father was a Rosh Yeshivah in Minsk and my Shviger is from a prominent family in Chabad. Her father saw all of the 3 previous Lubavitcher Rebbes.
I hope this gives you a fair glimpse of my background.
I don’t usually spend too much time reading the coffee room topics because I dislike coffee and at most drink tea. I believe this is only the 2nd time I am taking (too much) time to respond to a post.
1- The extremists who in this case are the ones who stick out or make all the noise causing most if not all of the (negative) issues mentioned in the comments. Those singing songs, screaming Yechi and trying to impose their views on the world around them are part of this group. In Halocho, Rishonim and Achronim there were many opposing opinions and each had different Pisukim to add credence to their claim.
2- For the point mentioned that they are heretics, how many people here ever went into a Chabad house for food or Daven or etc.. ? How about Simchas Beis Hashoeivah in Crown Heights?
3- How many went into a Sukkah put up by Lubavitch while traveling? If it were a Reform or Conservative Synagogue would you do the same? How many Rabbonim or Chassidishe Rebbes did the same (including the Satmar Rebbes)?
4- Have you eaten Rubashkin meat or chicken (even served by many Yeshivos) in the past (before the whole fiasco)? This was a primarily Lubavitcher Shechita and Hashgacha.
5- Besides R’Menashe Klien there were many more who came to the Lubavitcher Rebbe including Rav Wolfson from Emunas Yisroel went to him may times and constantly uses references from Chabad Chassidus and Tanya in his Schmuesen.
6- R’ Avigder Miller is totally on point.
7- Although many are not familiar with how to Daven at Kivrei Tzadikim yet people from all backgrounds go to the Ribnitzer Rebbe, The Heilige Barditchiver, R’Shimon Bar Yochai, Meoras Hamachpeiloh, Kever Rochel just to name a few. Most who know or understand hopefully do the correct thing. Perhaps you should try to direct the others to speak with their Rov or Mashpia rather than (perhaps) creating a strife and causing Machlokes. Do people Daven to the Kosel Hamaaravi and put in Kevitlach into a stone wall? No they Daven to Hashem and hope that Kedushas Hamokom or the Z’chus of the Avos or Imahos Misayaatom will help them.
8- Why do people go to a Tzadik or Rov to be Shoel Eitza or for a Brocho? Because it helps devoid any Sifeikos Ayn Simcha Kiatoras Hasfeikos. It leaves the Ones on the person they went to so long as they follow his words to the fullest extent. R’Chaim Kaniyevsky told people to stay in Eretz Yisroel until after they vote at the elections a few weeks ago. He said that it is important to do so even before attending a Bris. 100 years ago NO body would believe that it would even be a Hava Amina that a Rov would give this P’sak. However sometimes things change and it is truly needed and must be Shtark un Sharf. Men Muz Kerin A Velt!
9- Is the Rebbe still alive? Tzadikim Bimisosom Kriuyim Chaim. Sifsosuv Dovivos Bakever. On a lighter note (not to make lite) I used to Daven at a Shul and the Rov is part of the Lubavitch Chevra Kadisha. He said that he is 100% sure that the Rebbe is in an Aron buried in the Ohel. He himself went down into the Bor before the Kever was closed up.
10- A person may (perhaps) believe that his Rebbe could possibly be Moshiach perhaps even if he passed away (according to some). If he is, and it doesn’t make a difference who may he reveal himself ASAP. Yomar L’Tzoroseinu Daei. We don’t know what we are in for but we can’t take it anymore.
There is plenty more I can add but I will end with this true story which was never made public just told over privately.
I was at a Levaya when R’Shneur Kotler Said to my father ztz’l “Oib Nish Ihr Volt Nisht Given Kein Lakewood”. My father was part of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Lakewood. I can’t go into the many details in order to have some anonymity. Yet I did tell this (and all the details) to R’Malkiel a few years ago.
Creating animosity and negative rhetoric Sinas Chinom on both sides of the street is Asur Midioraisah. I am Mochel anyone who responds negatively to my comments.
Wishing all that Z’Man Simchoseinu Zohl Mamshich Zein Af A Gantz Yohr.
Menu