Allan Nadler, professor of religious studies and director of the Jewish studies program at Drew University, finally has something nice to say.
A public critic of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and the Rebbe, Nadler published a column marking the 250th yahrzeit of the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, better known as the Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht.
In an article titled “What the Baal Shem Tov Left Behind,” Nadler notes “on this anniversary, there is indeed much to celebrate.”
His venue was The Forward, the American Jewish Yiddish-English weekly affiliated with the Socialist Party of America, who, in the past, did not see eye to eye with the Rebbe.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the average Hasidic 10-year-old in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn or in Montreal’s Outremont neighborhood is more deeply versed in mimetic Jewish religious practice than are a great many American rabbis,” Nadler writes.
“It is no coincidence that the ranks of the greatest modern Jewish thinkers and writers have been filled with individuals who were raised in Hasidic communities, from Ahad Ha-am and Abraham Joshua Heschel to Isaac Bashevis Singer and Elie Wiesel.
“Still, the Besht’s most significant heirs are to be found among the traditional Hasidic communities themselves. Due to their high birthrates and minuscule rates of attrition, Hasidim are increasingly becoming a force with which the wider Jewish community must reckon.
“The Hasidim will always be outsiders by choice, and that is bound to generate tensions until the end of days. But on this occasion, we would do well to pause for a moment, stand back and admire the tenacity of the Hasidim, the depth of their yiddishkeit, the enviable solidity of their communal and educational institutions, and, especially, the richness of their religious lives.
“Most of all, their very survival is worthy of our blessing. So, on this historic yahrzeit, let us set aside our grievances, and simply wish the Hasidim and their long-dead Besht: L’chaim!”
Read his full article HERE
Mimetic?! No surpise here, Nadler has – on many occassions – insulted Chassidism and Chabad in particular. I still remember the famous op-ed in the Jewish Press between Rabbi Hecht z”l and this arrogant anti-semite.
he is not speaking about Chabad in any part of the article that is why it is Outremont and NOT Snowdown, and Williamsburgh and not CH!
“The Hasidim will always be outsiders by choice, and that is bound to generate tensions until the end of days.”
To be an ‘outsider’ is a ‘daat Torah.’
Stupid and ignorant comment. Uneducated. Let the writer do a little basic research.
‘Say!’ ‘You’re arrogance is showing!’
I hope ‘The Forwards’ closes its doors.
They were one of the biggest ‘mudslingers’ at
S. Rubashkin.
he refers to ten year olds. he is saying that even though a ten year old chassidic child is practicing judaism without too much understanding, he is more familiar with jewish practice than an average american rabbi. that doesnt mean he knows more torah. it means he knows how to perform more mitzvos. he knows this from watching his parents. that is mimetic.
chabad in montreal lives in snowdon not outremont!
Famous menuval from long ago. Lo meduvsheich velo me’uktzeich. We don’t need to see his egotistical articles.
The whole thing is condescending, please
dont think too deeply into it
Main Entry: mi·met·ic
Pronunciation: \-ˈme-tikFunction: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin mimeticus, from Greek mimētikos, from mimeisthai to imitate, from mimos mime
Date: 1637
1 : imitative
2 : relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimicry
It is an insulting term as it it used here. It means that something is done in the form of mimicking or doing something without really understanding or using logic and seichel.
1 Mimetic means transmitted.
2 no
long dead besht??
thats a bit harsh..
could he be implying the rebbe as well possibly, attempting to evoke shame in lubavitch?
Can someone explain the word “mimetic” as used in the article?