BS”D
Though I am totally against all the angry posts here, and anger and vitriol does not belong in these blogs, I wish to say that I agree 100% with HaRav Belsky, shlita.
All of the positive things which may or may not have been done, said, or accomplished by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Z”L, and his shluchim, does not take away from the facts that Rav Belsky was stating.
I have been around for years now, and have met the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and have lived through all the controversies. The rest of klall Yisroel were not “anti-chabad” until Chabad was poresh themselves from us. Still today, the vast majority of those who oppose Chabad are not “anti-chabad.” However, Chabad in their separatist and defensive attitudes scream: “Anti-Chabad” or “Chabad Hater” on anyone who has a difference of opinion and has the nerve to voice it. Chabad today wants everyone to agree with them.
If I go into a Yeshivish kehilla, I find acceptance, and no one tries to say their way is the “right way.”
If I go into Bobov, I find acceptance, and no one tries to say their way is the “right way.”
If I go into Pupa, I find acceptance, and no one tries to say their way is the “right way.”
If I go into Mir, I find acceptance, and no one tries to say their way is the “right way.”
If I go into Satmar, I find acceptance, and no one tries to say their way is the “right way.”
Only in Lubavitch does everyone try to “witness” to me, and try to change me. Only in Lubavitch do people get angry if I resist their attempts at “conversion.”
I stop in a non-Chabad Chassidishe kehilla for Shabbos, and there are plenty of people who invite me for Shabbos, and I meet many people to sit down and learn with.
I stop in a Litvish/Yeshivish kehilla for Shabbos, and there are plenty of people who invite me for Shabbos, and I meet many people to sit down and learn with.
I stop in a Chabad kehilla for Shabbos, and there are plenty of people who invite me for Shabbos, but all they want to learn with me is Tania, or their rebbe’s sichos. Their version of Chassidus seems to be the only thing worth learning.
I stop in a non-Chabad Chassidishe kehilla or a Yeshivish kehilla for Shabbos, and there are plenty of people who invite me for Shabbos, and the food in their pantries is all heimishe, Bishul Yisroel, with very reliable shechitas and hashgachas.
I stop in a Chabad kehilla or a Yeshivish kehilla for Shabbos, and there are plenty of people who invite me for Shabbos, and the food in their pantries is mostly major brands, or supermarket brands. They use every heter imaginable to allow Bishul Akum.
What is funny, is that they will use the OU tuna cans that are kosher due to Rav Belsky’s “heter.” (Rav Belskly paskinned that canned food does not need to be bishul Yisoroel. He is sort of a daas yochid on that one.) Jewish Bishul Yisroel will be on the store shelves, but the Chabad shaliach’s home is full of Heinz, Bumble Bee, etc.
Now that Kemach Yoshon is easily available, and most rabbonim say the heterim of the past need to be reexamined, and we should be more machmir now that it is easy to avoid chodosh, Chabad will davka tell the bakeries to use chodosh! They don’t care that this means other non-Chabad people now feel uncomfortable eating from the only kosher bakery in their town!
There is an arrogance in Chabad lately that is beyond imagination. Chabad basically feels that if they say something is permissible, it is good for anyone. They don’t care that your rov told you NO. He does not count to them. Apparently you don’t count either. Either accept their heterim of “tough luck.”
I love Chabad, actually. I have many good Chabad friends. But, Rav Belsky is right.
Yes, I disagree with some of Rav Belsky’s heterim, ie. DA cows, and Bishul Akum, but on this one he is dead on.
I know I did not address his issues, he already was clear on those, and I agree with all of them. I just wanted to show the arrogance which demonstrates their pulling themselves out of Klall Yisroel.