Reply To: Clarification to mod and DaMoshe

Arso,
“ Do you have a (non-Lubavich) source that makes this distinction? I know that the velt says in the name of R Chaim Brisker that nebech an apikorus is still an apikorus.”

Perek lamed Beis Tanya states clearly that hating would only apply to one’s peer in Torah same mitzvos who one has already tried to rebuke.

Not some guy who isn’t frum and thinks it’s cool to call himself an atheist

“ That’s a lovely concept… in theory. In practice, however, it is very dangerous! If someone only knows alef, when he/she tries to teach it to someone else, that person can very easily be influenced who has harmful hashkofos which the teacher does not necessarily know is harmful. That is clearly the reason for so many children of shluchim and other Lubavichers going OTD Rachmono litzlon. (You’re going to deny that the numbers are high, but they are certainly MUCH higher than the attrition in other groups of chareidim.)”

Such a person can offer what they have. A sincere baal teshuva will realize they’ve outgrown the original person and look for a new role model. But let’s say they were happy to only learn the mitzvos The person taught them, that’s much better than not knowing and doing anything at all.

People who go all the way to become full fledged baalei teshuva will outgrow and pick new role models as they do. Adults are able to sense what’s what (if they have proper social skills). As for kids, if unfortunately (if ffb) the rabbi can reference a movie or soccer game celebrity, the kid knew that already. But he will learn many Jewish things in Hebrew school etc that may lead him on his own journey.

Like I said I don’t actually think the numbers are necessarily way higher when we don’t operate the same way