Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Judaism part 20

In one of the writings of the Fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Ber Shneerson, appears the enigmatic statement "A Rebbe is G-dliness in a body". The usual understanding of this is that EVERYONE is G-dliness in a body. But whereas for most people this aspect is hidden within, for a Tzaddik, this has become actualized. However, there have long been some who interpreted this phrase to mean that a Tzadddik is an aspect of G-d incarnate. Most recoil at this claim. But during my years in Chabad (1964-1975), I did encounter several people who espoused this view, cherry-picking "hints" for this doctrine in the words of the Rebbe. These people became known as Elohists (or Elokists); literally "G-dists". They believe that the Lubavitcher Rebbe was, and is, a manifestation of G-d. This approach is almost non-existent in the U.S., but is common in Israel. Prof. David Berger's writings against Chabad Messianism allege that this movement is growing, and is essentially taking over. I highly doubt this, but numbers are hard to come by. A prominent Chabad rabbi in Israel, active in the Settler movement, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginzburgh, while not openly identifying with the Elohists, has been quoted as saying "It cannot be denied that the Rebbe is a Gilui Elohus, a Divine manifestation". One of his students, a staunch Mashichist, told me "I'm not an Elokist, but I don't disagree with them". Tempers flared, almost coming to violence, when a Chabad group put up a banner in the Old City of Jerusalem, with the usual "Yechi..." mantra. But this one, instead of saying "Our Master, Teacher, and Rabbi", said "Our Master, Creator, and Rabbi." It is a well-known phenomenon in world religions that a hero is seen as first going into hiding, and then coming back as a god. The Elohists, after the Rebbe's passing, have bought into that narrative, Nearly all rabbis would consider the Elohist approach as being outside the scope of Judaism, and downright pagan. Judaism has never entertained the concept of a human being becoming G-d. In summation, let me say that Chabad does much great work, and the Rebbe was a great man and Tzaddik. But where there is much light, there are many flies. We must all be careful to examine our beliefs and actions in the light of Torah, or risk apostasy.

Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Judaism part 19

After 1990, the main mover in the Chabad Messianic movement became Rabbi Shmuel Butman. He began to write books and articles "proving" the Messiahship of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Denounced by the Rabbinical Council of America, he went on the offensive, declaring them not authorized to speak on such things, and essentially declaring their words to be against the process of  Redemption. He began referring to the Rebbe as "King Messiah", and put out radio messages informing people that Mashiach had come. In 1992, he addressed Congress, at the invitation of Chuck Shumer (!!!) In  January, 1993, following the Rebbe's release from hospital after a devastating stroke, he announced a "Coronation Ceremony" for "King Mashiach". Some 8,000 people were present, with many more watching via satellite around the world. Publicity stated that the Rebbe would rise out of his illness, and bring about the final Redemption.  The Rebbe was kept behind a curtain at first. The curtain was then rolled back, and the Rebbe managed to lift his arm in a gesture of encouragement. Butman quickly backtracked, saying that this had just been a consciousness raising event. The Mashichists began reciting after each prayer service, as well as at every sacred occasion "Yechi Adoneinu..." Long live Our Master, Teacher, and Rabbi, King Messiah, forever and ever." At the rebbe's funeral in 1994, they repeatedly chanted this formula. Rabbi J.J. Hecht, a leader of the non-Messianics, told reporters "This is an anomaly. I don't know what they're doing, and I don't know if they know". Many thousands were in denial. Many refused to believe he was dead, but rather in hiding. Some of these refuse to visit his grave even today, as this would be admitting that he's dead. Others grant that he is dead, but expect his imminent resurrection. One Israeli Chabad leader, greatly admired by some members of this group, announced that the Redemption had, in fact, occurred, but was hidden. The Meshichists still perform the following act of divination, when they have a question or problem. They write a note to the Rebbe. They place it in one of a series of books called "Igrot Kodesh" (Holy Epistles), containing all of the Rebbe's correspondences.  They close the book, and recite three times "Long live our Master...". They then open the book, and lo and behold, the answer is in the epistle facing their note. This is done when deciding whether to marry someone, take a job, or even which party to support in Israeli elections. Meshichists and non-Meshichist Lubavitchers do not pray in the same places or marry each other, Each believes the other group to be hopelessly clueless. In the U.S., the non Meshichists are the majority. In Israel, they are a tiny minority. There was even a murder of a prominent non-Meshichist rabbi in Israel, perpetrated by an angry Meshichist. For these reasons, many put Chabad into the Non-Orthodox camp. In my opinon, their views are bizarre, but they should not be written out of Judaism.  There is, however, a far worse development in Israeli Chabad. That will be my next post.

Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Judaism part 18

From 1951, virtually all Chabad Hasidim viewed the new Lubavitcher Rebbe as at least a potential, or even a likely, Mashiach. After all, there is the belief of most Jews that in every generation there is one individual who will become Mashiach if we are worthy. It stood to reason that since (Chabad believes) it is the last (and greatest)  expression, or even  revelation, of Torah, a Lubavitcher Rebbe would be the logical candidate for messiahship. Besides, he was the seventh Rebbe, corresponding to the attribute of Malchut. What's more, he was childless, so  there could never be an heir to the position of Lubavitcher Rebbe, so it MUST be HE. True, he had a brother in law who could also lay claim to the title. But when the previous Rebbe had died, the brother in law challenged Rabbi Menachem Mendel for the position of Rebbe. When, at the end of a year, the dust settled, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel was the clear choice, his rival became the butt of jokes, and was relegated to the position of principal in the Lubavitch High School. He, and his children, were never given full credibility again. On top of this, when the Talmudic rabbis had speculated on the name of the Messiah, Menachem (a comforter) was a favorite pick. The Rebbe would end each of his addresses with the hope that Mashiach would come "Really soon" (b'karov mamash). Since "mamash" (really) was formed from the Rebbe's initials, many took this as a broad hint of Mashiach's identity. Everything seemed to be lined up. For most Chabad Hasidim, this was information to be kept in one's heart and mind, while they watched and waited. For others, this became the focus of their lives. The previous Rebbe had declared that Mashiach would come in his lifetime. The new Rebbe explained, based on a verse in Judges, that twenty years after one's death is still considered his "lifetime". The previous Rebbe had commissioned the writing of a Torah scroll that would be presented to Mashiach. It was to be left unfinished until Mashiach came. In 1970, at the twentieth anniversary of the previous Rebbe's death, Rabbi Menachem Mendel ordered "Mashiach's Torah" to be completed. It was dedicated at a huge festive gathering. The Rebbe said that the Redemption had not quite arrived, but would be very soon. The hands of those who considered him to be Mashiach were greatly strengthened. They now formed a new organization called "Machaneh Yisrael" (the Camp of Israel), but soon became more commonly known as "the Meshichists". Surprisingly, the Rebbe appeared to remain neutral in this, or at least ambiguous. At one public gathering (Farbrengen), he totally denied being the Messiah. At another, he announced "Mashiach is here, right now in this room, and his name is Menachem". The focus of the Mashichists was, and is, to let the world know that the promised redeemer had come. The rabbinic leadership of the Chabad movement put out public letters condemning this speculation. But In Israel, the Mashichists were, and are, the majority in the Chabad community. I remember riding in buses through the Arab cities of Ramallah and El Bireh, seeing signs with the Lubavicher Rebbe's picture, captioned, in Arabic, "Mashiach". Others bore his picture with a sunrise, informing our Arab neighbors that our Redeemer had arrived. Just as the previous Rebbe experienced great opposition from Rav Aaron Kotler, the Rebbe was bitterly opposed by the leader of Israel's "Yeshivish" community, Rabbi Eliezar Menachem Man Shach (1899-2001). He declared the Rebbe and his followers to be heretics. He banned the study of Chabad literature. As the Rebbe had instituted a regular daily study of RAMBAM's legal code, Rav Shach even banned that. He even condemned some American Yeshiva deans, who maintained friendly relations with the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  This was all to come to a head in the rebbe's last years, as well as after his death. To be continued