@CS I happen to be in no way whatsoever a “meshichist.”
However, what you are saying about that Lubavitcher fellow refusing to abide by the rules of logic, actually, I found that to be a fascinating, and within the reasons of logic, that new position you quoted from him:
“The Rebbe became Moshiach while he was still alive and so it doesn’t contradict Chofetz Chaim and he’ll return to finish the job.”
We have established that Moshiach will not be 100% proven to be, until he “finishes the job” etc…
However, there will certainly be a time of “techilas Mashiach,” when he will have needed supporters who feel the reasonable possibility of him being the one, and will help him on his way to see if H’ let’s him succed. e. g. Rebbe Akiva and Bar Koziba.
Now, first take away all bias (and sorry to say, sinnas chinom.) 2nd, understand Mashiach will certainly be a talmid chacham & tzaddik. However, his place will not be as a Rosh Yeshiva or Poisek Hador. His place will be as described by the Messilas Yesharim Perek 25 (I believe) on Madhiach Tzidkeinu. That certainly sounds to an extant like the Lubavitcher Rebbe z”l.
Given all this, there is some logic to want to support the Heinteger (that’s his name among the 7) Rebbe (Z”L, emphasis applied) in the possibility of his being able to be Mashiach.
Now, as to the source argument that Mashiach will be from the living, and the Rebbe z”l was niftar, you received a logical possible answer, maybe the Rebbe z”l started the job in his lifetime which fulfils that criteria. Fine, not likely, because this would require him to come back to life before Techiyas Hameisim, but possible. There were cases of individual techiyas hameisim by the Tana’im. Do you have a proof positive source against this?
Y. M. S.
Lakewood