By Rabbi Sholom Moshe Paltiel, Shliach to Port Washington, NY.
Looking at our communities around the world and seeing the tragedies that have befallen the family of Chassidim tugs at the heartstrings of every Chossid. We all agree that something desperately needs to change; things can not continue the way they have been until now.
But where do we begin? What should we do?
All agree we need to increase in the Ahavas Achim and Achdus amongst the Rebbe’s Chassidim. Clearly that would be a good step in the direction of borchenu avinu as we are kulanu k’echad. But one wonders how this is possible to be accomplished today, with such passionate differences of opinion amongst us.
In the Hayom Yom for the 15th of Iyar the Rebbe writes: In the Alter Rebbe’s time there was a saying common among Chassidim: “The piece of bread that I have is yours just as much as it is mine.” – And they would say “yours” before “mine”.
After reading these words I began to wonder, is it possible for us to live this way? Is this a realistic goal for us in our lives today? In today’s world, where everyone has their own opinion about every possible issue, and everyone is so passionate about their beliefs and their “shitos”, can we truly live our lives in such an altruistic manner?
Obviously if the Rebbe included this anecdote in Hayom Yom, it is because the Rebbe believes this is something that we as his Chassidim are capable of, and as such we must do everything possible to attain this level of Ahavas Yisroel. The Rebbe always demanded of us to live up to what Chassidus demands of us; the Chassidishe Ahavas Achim (brotherly love) is no exception.
The Alter Rebbe’s Chassidim came from all walks of life. Among such a diverse group, there must surely have been differences of opinion. In fact, I am sure that they passionately disagreed with one another about extremely important issues and the very fundamentals of Chassidus.
Yet somehow, when it came to caring for one another, they were able to put aside their differences and treat each other with total selflessness and love.
Surely we can do the same. If we can only discover the formula that worked for them and work out how to apply it to our lives today, we would achieve the same results.
A group of Anash and Shluchim with the encouragement of many Rabbonim have joined together in a unique effort to try and turn the tide. We passionately believe that the unique love that Chassidim shared with one another can and must be reignited.
Over the coming days and weeks we will unveil a plan which will include weekly Shiurim on-line and in depth study about this topic. This effort is being joined by the majority of Chabad communities around the world.
We invite you to join us in this journey. Stay tuned for details.
it’s ok to have differences of opinion, as long we can truly love and respect even those whose opinion seems totally wrong to us. “Eilu V’Eilu Divrei Elokim Chayim”
i feel like there is now someone who is stepping up to the plate and trying to do something about it. I want to mention one thing, the Rebbe clearly mentioned that the level of the Chassidim in the times of the Alter Rebbe was much higher then that of Our times. But, IT IS possible and I am so excited to see what follows. Please make sure that you give Examples of what should be done as well as make sure that EVERY lubav. out there knows what is happening.Men, Women, and Children were always included in every project… Read more »
How heart warming that some people finally cared to do something real.
This is the only way we can truly be mekushar to the Rebbe when it is kulonu k’echod. Lets bring back the good old Ahavas reim amongst chasidim which the Fridike Rebbe writes, was even greater them brotherly love.
wowww…R Paltiel does it again!!
LOL!!!!!
Ironically, an article written to promote achdus, has yielded so many anti-achdus comments….
I truly believe that the moment we have true achdus, it will bring Moshiach. Yet I’m afraid that it will take a Moshiach to bring achdus….
All I know is that it depends on me, that I should have more achdus. Not that I should try to fix everyone else’s machloikes, but rather it starts with me. And hopefully it’ll be like dropping a pebble in the ocean that causes an endless ripple effect.
GO SAY YECHI OUTSIDE EVERY OTHER TEFFILAH I AM SURE YOUR IDEA WONT STICK AROUND
Im sure you learned a sicha about once you are pogem in shlichus automatically you are Ois shliach
well well im sure you dont mind me moving in a few blocks away
why dont you post your address im sure we can arrange something
LEARN NUN & NUN ALEF SICHOS IF YOU DARE!!
There already is great achdus. When it comes to personal matters, people from both sides are caring, and passionate. the problem isn’t achdus, it’s integrity. the problem is that people from both sides never sat down to talk to each other and work things out. just because you were appointed hanholo of one of the Rebbe’s moisdos, doesen’t mean you can decide how lubavitcher’s should believe and act, etc. so as long as there is no clear Din Torah with a clear pshara that works–it’s impossible to acheive any significant changes in controversial situations. it’s totally wrong for organizers of… Read more »
Obviously, a basic qualification would be: Mashpi’im who -unequivocally- respect the Rabbonim.
Not Chas VShalom to give the Aibershter any excuses for these horrifying tragedies..but let us concentrate not only on WHO daavens in 770 or the like but HOW WE DAAVEN in 770. It MUST BE QUIET during Daavening and Krias Hatorah. By the women and the men. It has been heard that during the holocaust an elderly woman appeared on the train platform and said “Kinderlach men darft zein shtil in shul Bshaas Tefillah un Krias Hatorah”. The woman then disappeared. Its been told that this was Rochel Imainu… During this horrific era in history Rochel Imainu came to plead… Read more »
we’re counting sfira everyday and if there’s one thing we learnt year after year is the story of the students of Rabbi Akiva. I mean how could we blind ourselves when we see all that goes on lately with chabad ? so many tzoros, its heart wrenching – how could we stay so passive when it happens to our “brothers”? it’s ok to have your own belief but i’m sure we could all work on being more easygoing ! we need it, please , for the sake of lubavitch. We gotta see the light at the end of the tunnel… Read more »
Is it’s worth a try. May I just suggest (not that anybody is listening) that this group consist of and mainly the mashpiyim. Reb yoel reb sholom etc also the younger mashpiyim which many of them are very highly respected by bochrim and anash
listen, it is a very difficult situation with many people very offended or upset on both sides. Some of the above comments say don’t bother. But the Torah says “love your fellow Jew” and so no matter whether or not he/she is a Meshechist or Anti you still have to love them regardless. i can understand why there are those who think there is no point but it is our job as religious Jews to try no matter how hard. I personally take a neutral approach. i’m neither Anti nor Meshechist. i’m eagerly waiting for mashiach, whomever he is, to… Read more »
i know someone who wont talk to another lubavitcher because of this terible !!!
LOL!!!!
u rock1!!!!
everything sound so nice and rosy but when you think about it all for a second you suddenly ask yourself who am i trying to make peace with? i think we all agree that there is no problem with saying yechi. and im sure we are not that extreme as to not accept someone with slightly different believes. and in fact there are many people that i have tremendous respect for and they say yechi… however if you ask me to make peace with fanatics then i don’t think that is reasonable or fair. when i see a group that… Read more »
How dare you! If I would know your name I would teach you a good lesson in manners. Besides, the moshel from yiskor is excellent:
Those who remember and give kovod to their parents stay inside, while the children (who lack seichel) go outside.
Yizckor: Those who say – stay. But for those who step out for a couple of minutes – maybe offer kiddush with some herring. If we work together, everyone can be happy, everyone a winner.
I love this
The fiasco at the parade gave us something to think about
Violence is never the answer – children waiting to march saw the unseeable
Let’s get both groups together and show we are more than that
kein yirbu
The people that walk out of the shul for Yizkor are those with have parents living.
Since you guys believe the Rebbe is alive, you should be going outside the shul to say Yechi.
In essence ,there never was a problem with achdus in Lubavitch,,, There is however heavy confusion. the Mishchist quandry is simplistic. There are always three different groups in any controversy.For ,against-&uncertain.The Rebbe asked that inyonai Moshiach should be B’ofen niskabel. It hasn’t been made simply clear that Chazkas Moshiach for outsiders especially ,in our days .with the tnai’im in Rambam has been established. Vadai” is retrospectic and still needs to be. there are more then enough qualitativ factors,to convince most people can be comfortably convinced that we are living i n a Messianic era. There are those who need to… Read more »
When the Rebbe was asked how he could stand so long giving out dollars… he said that he was counting diamonds and no one tires from that. If we could look past the external trappings of our fellow Lubavitchers like we look past the tatoos, mohawks, etc of not yet frum Jews the world would be a better place. We can reach out to a yid in jail yet spread the worst lashon hara about a frum yid next door. I agree with the achdus speeches. We need to see each other as diamonds even if we do not agree.… Read more »
those people who work within the framework of aguch and those lubavitchers in regular askonos will all tell you that due to the yechiniks they have allowed a cultlike name to be drawn to lubavitch the rebbe was inclusionary without compromising torah ideals and these lunatics who should live in island are dstroying the years of work of hundreds and thousands of shluchim who were mekarav thousands of people who are embarrased to say they are part of lubavitch the standard answer i get from my classmates when asked about lubavitch most say the rebbe was rebbe but unfortunately idiots… Read more »
“HOW I WISH THERE WAS A SOLUTION!!! if anyone thinks of one that addresses my specific concern, pls post it. thank u.” The solution is…YIZCKOR! All those that need to say Yizckor remain in shul while the others step out for a couple of minutes of fresh air. It doesn’t bother anyone to step out for yizckor! It works perfectly fine! Why not do the same? It would work like this: Before saying “Yechi” the Gabbai would give a klap and announce that all those not wishing to say or hear yechi should leave the shul for a couple of… Read more »
I have a dream, I have a vision
You may say it’s an illusion
Together we are strong
Let’s give peace a chance
Tell me what will be tomorrow
Will we find a road to follow
I still believe in love
Let’s give peace a chance
Brother, can I borrow your scarf?
Because I think I need to barf.
Why are some people hung up on symbolic gesures. If only LG and YK & SMS would sit behind the Rebbe’s bimah in 770–everything will be solved!” This is naivety at its finest. Symbols will not solve anything. There is a lack of mashma’s, a lack in recognizing leadership that’s at the root of the problem. If people decide to sing songs in the shul when everyone else is davening, this is a problem. When the singing persists even when elders and othe minyanim ask them them to pipe down, this is a problem. When a parade is organized at… Read more »
We need to tolerate each others opinions. We can agree do disagree and start building from there.
Unfortunately, for you there is no answer and there will never be a solution. You missed the point entirely.
We have to start foucsing on REAL issues. Stop kidding yourselves. Since Mattan Torah there never was Achdus amongs Yiddien. There are hundreds upon hundreds of splinter groups amongs FRUM Yidden themselves. Please stop wasting your time…!
The amount of negative comments on this attempt to start something positive (interestingly just about all against “meshichiten”) is something that should sicken any and all straight thinking individuals. PEOPLE ARE R”L DYING HERE FOLKS! IT’S AN EMERGENCY!! Stop promoting agendas and stop thinking that you’re the only ones who have a correct opinion. ACHDUS IS THE ONLY ANSWER, PERIOD. Those who don’t like it please follow the Rambam’s advice and go live in a desert. RIGHT NOW – BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE – EACH ONE OF US NEEDS TO LEND A HAND. Before there is R”L another umshuldige korbon.… Read more »
How can you justify removing a shliach’s name from “THE LIST” without any din Torah or justification? How can you justify putting in new people into an area where a shliach has sweated for 25 years>? How can you justify telling a shliach which rov he is allowed to go to– Can you explain or answer that Rabbi Paltiel? You can’t talk sholom and watch as the blood of your brother, your fellow shliach, is being spilt. I thought we were supposed to be different. Will shluchim wake up and get involved and say NO MORE! A shliach (shlucha) sent… Read more »
Achdus/Ahavas Yisroel seems to be the most difficult YET MOST IMPORTANT mivtza to fulfill right now. It’s one of the Rebbes Mivtzoim, right up there with Neshek and Tefillin, Taharas Hamishpocha, etc…….We must pay attention to it, try to unite at least to the level before “Yechi and not Yechi”, and then beyond. IT’S BACK TO BASICS: The Bais Hamikdash was destroyed due to Sinas Chinam, and will be rebuilt through Ahavas Chinam. I’m so excited to hear at least of the mention of a beginning of Achdus, which, as I mentioned before, seems so difficult. Much Tehillim has been… Read more »
how can there b one minyan when ONE firmly believes that the way to give the rebbe life is thru saying yechi after davening, and ONE firmly believes that saying such, is anutter disgrace to the rebbe! practicaly speaking, theres no possible compromise hence there is 2 minyanim.
HOW I WISH THERE WAS A SOLUTION!!!
if anyone thinks of one that addresses my spesific concern, pls post it. thank u.
Everyone here is saying that there won’t be unity because of Meshichist and Anti’s etc.
Hey! let’s not talk high. How about we start treating each other like human. It starts with the way you respond to a comment on a website…
First: ‘kol hakovod’ to Rabbi S. M. Paltiel. I’m all for anything positive. Second: I read all the comments. Third: hooray to fishel katz /MIAMI for stating your name. Fourth: One problem was not addressed here: The ‘antis’ think saying ‘Yechi’ is hurting Chabad financially. Is is a valid point? How do we answer them? I just met my fourth Lubavitcher(?) who believed the Rebbe, MH”M, wasn’t functioning well when on the porch agreeing to the saying of ‘Yechi.’ How many are there like this? An elder ‘chossid’ told me that the same/similar event happened with ‘The Friediker Rebbe,’ and… Read more »
Are we 2 yr olds? the end to this machlokus is a simple agreement to disagree. This world is not a “cookie cutter world” where everyone is meant to think, act and believe the same ideas. Its a free world but those who feel they have to have everyone think the same as them are in a very unfree world. True achdus is understanding that everyone is different but loving everyone for who they are… a peice of Hashem… thats is. Your think the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel has an astrict on it that follows saying “love ony the people… Read more »
what an excellent idea
truly a timely and most important development
achdus will surely bring Moshiach Now.
If one side cannot handle the other side saying “yechi”………………….
whats about one side being tolerant about NOT saying yechi??????????????
#30 [1] The word mushrooms is derogatory and just like we do not use the terminology “occupied territories” that the anti-semitic media uses, similarly we do not give credence to a label that Shluchim, who are meant to espouse Ahavas Yisroel, have branded upon other Lubavitcher Chassidim who are doing the Rebbe’s shlichus.
[2] Mushrooms are fungi that grow in places void of any other type of active living growth.
[3] Your so-called “mushrooms” will also have to recognize the existence of those ‘shluchim’ who have fought them in the past.
Dear Rabbi Sholom Moshe Paltiel,
Baruch Hashem! Thank-you for writing this article!
In the zchus of your wonderful plan i will learn perek lamed baes of tanya iyh.
Moshiach NOW!! Hatzlacha Rabba!!
COLLIVE please send the rabbi much thanks.
This is a wonderful idea…but it must be incorporated with tznius. as the weather gets warmer, the skirts are getting higher and the necklines lower. If the Rebbe were here with us, knowing he might see us, we would never dare walk out looking like we belong on 42nd street.
Its the husbands that must insist their wives dress according to the basic tennets of the torah!
yes as the rebbe says
we will make a meeting and establish avaad and the vaad will meet and agree to meet again and then they will again agree to meet ad bias goel tzedek
the rebbe munt tachlis
tachlis here is leadership
we have none r’l we only have peopel looking for power but no pawerful people to lead
the ones the rebbe gave power to dont lead the ones that want power cant lead..
mir zaynen in golus and the satan is in overdrive……
Achdus is what is truly needed amongst Chassism. However, we are now in a situation where there are two very strong parties, the Pro and Anti, who both truly believe that they are promoting the Rebbe’s desires. As such, we have reached a situation where we have two Minyon, two Farbrengens, two Kappos, and Chassidim who are divided. To change this and really get Achdus, we need the leaders from both sides to get together and discuss how they can each tolerate each other. Yes they are going to need concession from both side. Yes it is going to take… Read more »
These are great ideas. We have to start with ourselves. Including and starting with the people that are initiating this program.
as we know, how much the rebbe spoke about achdus, the last sicha of the rebbe was all about ahavas yisroel, coming right after lag ba’omer, the rebbe spoke so much about the students of rabbi akiva who were really great tzadikim, but they just were not able to respect someone who they believed, had the wrong way of learning their teachers torah, as you know the history of chabad, the misnagdim in the times of the alter rebbe were great torah scholars but did not understand the alter rebbe and what he was teaching. instead of trying to understand… Read more »
#4. Is it only one way or can the Yechiniks also respect and tolerate the other side not to be in their face.
#13 There must be respect in AGUCH itself without any wannabees trying to unplant the Rebbe’s appointees.
Are recognized Shluchim going to recognize the “mushrooms” now?
Now that is what I would call achdus! We’re all doing the Rebbe’s Shlichus, I don’t understand the conflicts there are all over the world with this issue!
Rabbi Paltiel, while I commend your altruism, let me remind you that the disagreement between meshichistim and chassidim is an insignificant one. Try first and bring shalom between YK/MK, YK/SBL&SK, YK/AS, YB/Shluchim under him, MK/shluchim office, W/F from KC, should I bother to go on? Rabbi Paltiel you are a shliach who “has the best of both worlds” you live in very close proximity to Crown Heights so you are exposed to the scent arising from the malcontent in Crown Heights. Most Jews live and are exposed to the wonderfull outreach that Chabad is doing around the world and Thank… Read more »
I think that the idea here is, not as much to reconcile all the differences which will take time and much discussion in the upper echelons, but rather to awaken the old style of speech amongst all chassidim that though we disagree we are still brothers. Even if we must disagree and even participate at different events due to the severity of our disagreement is it not possible to feel a love and respect for one another? A love and respect which reflects itself in the words and actions we use as we communicate to or about one another? This… Read more »
you guys seem like you will save the world – get over it
the only way we can move in this place is through fighting
it might be terrible but sadly its the truth
have fun i say do all who try
the mazkirus are basically not fighting anymore, leibel hasnt been at a 770 farby for years and simpson hardly goes
There are stuff we can’t help, but those that mean we shulden’t correct at least the stuf we could correct,
And who knows maby the rebbe will take care of the rest.
Grow up with comments like these… you don’t even had to work evry day with this way of loking a thing “hey cant make $1,000,000. a year so forget $100,000 or $75-50,000 a year its not a lot of money forget it – looser!!!!!.
BS”D
There are those amongst us who love to go after and hurt others for the pleasure of it; who scream and behave that they are so concerned for achdus.
Some long established power groups that keep up the sinah and wont let go.
It is like they need an enemy to let out their negative feeling at… it gives added nutrients to their system of control, dictatorship & power.
They also know how to give a polished front when necessary for others who are not aware of what is going on.
Hashem y’rachaim! Rebbe y’racaim!
most of the chabad chassidim live in peach and harmony. they learn and daven together, share simches and hard times
the only ones who have a problem and are making a problem is that less-then-5% who run organizations with agendas – promoting themselves at any cost
they and their goals have nothing to do with the torah, chasidus, the rebbe or the chasidim
i say let us all just ignore them!
let it be official mosdos or mishichist mosdos – let’s just ignore them.
they are the problem – not the solution
What we need is people to acknowledge the proverbial Elephant in the Living Room. I call for those involved in the Lag B’Omer fiasco (from both sides) to own up to their actions that were inconsistent with the spirit of Achdus. Regardless of who had permission and who didn’t, who was in charge and who wasn’t, ALL those involved used physical force to make their point. After hours of preaching Achdus, it was an absolute disgrace. Now it’s all over the internet and out of your control. You all look like fools. I want to hear the “leaders” get up… Read more »
MH”M (מה”מ) CAN BE TOLERATED BY ALL AND ACCEPTED BY ALL.
If you want, read it as,
מלך המשיח
If yoU want, read it as,
מ-ורינו ה-רב מ-נחם
And evryone has his
מה”מ
ES
AKA THE גר”א
achdus, doesnt mean that the 1 side has to have everything their way.and if not they blame the other side
As long as there are people subscribing to the flag religion this can’t work. All their customs yichi, flags or shvills are not part of the Chabad Jewish religion and have nothing to do with the Rebbe or Mashiach. This is a man made religion created in the last two decades Dedicated to making a laughing stock out of the Rebbe at every opportunity (the result is that not one fremde Moisad came to the Lag Baomer parade & then making a Chilul Hashem and desecrating the Rebbe’s parade with catastrophic results within hours). So how can I make peace… Read more »
stop waisting your time….
if anyone can pull us together more, it can be the Palteils
how about all davening downstairs in 770 on shaboss like one big family and not use the rebbi’s room as a deterrent from having to be together!
can you imagine a 770 with rabbi groner rabbi krinsky and everyone all davnning in the front row behind the rebbi’s place–one big family!
it isnt an issue of achdus , it is an issue of the basic proncipals and teaching s of the rebbe
i also personally will not and sdo not attend chabad events that promote certain behaviors
its not achdus im worried about im worried about normalacy
inmates cannot run an asylum
its time for the rabboniom and aguch to put an end to this
I don’t want my kid seeing every Chassdishe Yom Tov two Farbrengens, also it’s about time the Rebbe’s Mazkirus get together and make a Kinus TOGETHER and talk to Anash.
IMHO there has not been such achdus amongst chassidim in north america since before Hummel Tammuz as we find today!
The old fights between mazkirim, even yechi / Detroit, fisher / ch, etc. They are all gone.
What came to be is a handful of Israelis (who have a diferent mindset due to the climate in the middle east) have come in the way of there being perfect achdus amongst chassidim in north america.
How could we iliminate that?
all u need to do is sit down and talk for a long time
one of the very whelty’st anti’s of the Schecunah handed me fund’s for a campain mailed to evryone in th shcunah and when he saw MH”M on it he asked what is this? my response to him was that when you market to CH you must state MH”M so he gave the funds NO problem no one is telling anyone else what to say or what not to say and evry one respects evry ones opinion and those who are diktating will always do so in issue’s with or without yichi just watch out from any of them on move… Read more »
you want this to happen? then help. don’t kvetch. we need you!
We all look frwd to the day that we will be 1 again.
THANX SO MUCH
by the bar mitzvah of the previous rebbe his father the rebbe rashab turned to him and said “freg a shaila”-ask a question-
so he ask “why do we say say before davening harieni mekabel? and his father answered him “we are all children of g-d so before we pray we want to show how all his children are together because one of the biggest pleasures for a father is to his children being together.
great idea
i can olny say one word to resolve thise
leadership
Thank you for initiating this project. It is way overdue but it will be very welcomed.
If one side cannot handle the other side saying “yechi” and be tolerant…. (a different opinion). – Or it dosn’t matter WHAT subject it is – if people are not BASICALLY tolerant – (and this is not a Jewish issue – it’s for every human being) – without that quality to say “I dont agree with you but I’ll defend your RIGHT to say it” – forget it! (except of course for aveiras).
Hatzlachah rabbah in this oh-so-important endeavor!
Wonderful idea. Let’s do this!!!
how about no more two Farbrengens? and we we have one where EVERYONE SITS TOGETHER?