Chabad's Mixed Message at the March for Israel

Image for illustration purposes only*

It’s difficult for me at a time like this to criticize other Jews. Unity is clearly the order of the day.  So before I offer my criticism of Chabad, let me first say that I appreciate their participation in the March for Israel on Tuesday. They are not only part of Klal Yisroel, they have done more than any other Orthodox group to bring observance into the lives of assimilated Jews. This was no less true on Tuesday. (Unlike Agudah who chose to boycott the rally.)

That being said, I found it unconscionable for Chabad to advertise* their views about their long ago deceased Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, being Moshiach.

It’s true that their Meshichism has died down since their Rebbe died. It is rarely if ever brought up publicly by their mainstream.  But it has not disappeared. It is still apparently embraced by the mainstream as at least a hope and possibility that their Rebbe will rise from the dead in a second coming as Moshiach. I doubt that they will even deny it if asked explicitly – even  among those that might concede it is not likely.

To be absolutely clear about that belief, it is pure Shtus - nonsense! ...as my Rebbe,  Rav Ahron, used to say. However it is not nonsense to vast majority of Chabad. The evidence of that is what has been going on  since his death at their international headquarters in Crown Heights. Which they refer to as 770 (their address on Eastern Parkway). To the best of my knowledge they still have signs and posters all over the place declaring their late Rebbe to be Moshiach. They treat his almost as though he were alive. eve now more than 25 years after his death.

I have been told by a mainstream Chabad leader that what happens in 770 does not reflect the mainstream. When I asked him why the mainstream leadership allow this to go on at their international headquarters, he said they prefer not to use violence to rid 770. Removing these fanatics peacefully takes time. And that they were currently trying to remove them legally. That conversation took place years ago. 

To the best of my knowledge, nothing has changed. The overt Meshchists still run the place and exist all over the world. Including right here in Chicago. Mainstream Chabad here has basically banned them from their mainstream Shul and even their schools if I understand correctly. But they have not disavowed their beliefs. 

That these Meshichists decided to use a rally the purpose of which is to show the world the unity of the Jewish people to promote their messianism is, as I said, unconscionable.

Now it may very well be the case that their mainstream did not approve of what those Meshichists did. They may have even been upset by it. But I have not heard a word of criticism about it. 

Bottom line - even though I am pleased to have seen Chabad join in what may have been an unprecedented display of the unity of the Jewish people, using it this event as an opportunity to promote their Meshichist beliefs  diluted that support. Because it indicates a hidden agenda. Whether intended or not.

*Unfortunately, I lost the image of a Chabad tent that was sent up at the March for Israel proclaiming the Rebbe as Moshiach. Searched for it for about an hour and could no longer find it. But it was published on a Jewish news website somewhere. Which is what this post is based on.