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.