Ortho: “It seems rather obvious to me that sending 11 thousand emissaries across the world searching for jews and getting them to do mitzvos even when they prefer not to and are trying to get out of it falls well within the range of forcing.”
With all due respect, what seems rather obvious to you is most definitely NOT pshat in the word יכוף used by the Rambam. Are you suggesting that that was the only word the Rambam could thing of when he wanted to say “encourage” or “influence”. What’s wrong with the words יפציר, ישכנע or ישפיע?
The entire point of Lubavich’s claim that their rebbe is bechezkas Mashiach boils down to one TERRIBLE point. They want him to be Mashiach so they will distort and (mis)interpret any and all facts and statements of Rishonim and Chazal to allow for this premise. The argument I, and I believe others, have with Lubavich is not whether their rebbe was/is bechezkas Mashiach. It is the chutzpah they have – and this borders on apikorsus – to bend everything to fit with their desires.
This is not the way of Torah-Yidden who look at texts and mesorah and then decide the outcome. If anything, it is the way of the Reform and Conservative movements.