This op-ed was written by Chanoch Ha’Chochom, a pseudonym of the man who wrote the highly circulated op-ed on COLlive titled “4 Profiles of Tuition Payers.” Here he addresses the discussion over the Call of the Shofar:
It is quite remarkable how a program that has been hushed and whispered about –as an undercurrent in our community– for around two years, has surfaced and is now under the public scalpel. And, not unlike the eruption of a volcano or the birth of a child, its exposure has unleashed the passions of many.
There have been articles, comments, rebuttals, and so forth on this community website. Letters and videos from the Rebbe on the topic of meditation have been publicized. We have heard from a ‘cult buster’, a pulpit rabbi, and the founder himself. There are supposed statements from Mashpeim, a Rosh Kollel, and Shluchim. And I suspect there is still more to come – especially from the large number of people who have attended the program and preach its praise.
The unprecedented volume of comments from the public is clearly indicative of how deeply this topic has resonated with the masses.
Yet, most would agree that there is still no absolute clarity about The Call of the Shofar program. We are arguably more confused now than when we began. There is no clear directive. There may never be.
The Issue is Not the Issue
But this, though, is not the problem. It is merely a symptom, a derivative, of what really plagues us. The problem lies much deeper in the very fabric of our current reality. There are dangerously growing cracks nearing the very foundations of our Chabad structure. The Call of the Shofar controversy is a diversion; we are too focused on one tree instead of the forest. It’s not the issue that is the issue; it’s our reaction to the issue that is the true issue!
Simply put:
We are an unfortunate, orphaned generation of Chassidim living twenty years after Gimmel Tammuz who have no one to turn to when new, fundamental, and core issues come knocking at our door. We are lacking – and are in desperate need of – leadership; of a final say.
Wait! Before the lynching, I present the case:
In the years following Gimmel Tammuz many outside of Chabad wondered what will become of the flock without the shepherd. But we Chassidim knew better!! We knew – and still know – that the Rebbe’s Igros, Sichos, Horaos etc. etc. would be our shining guide for every possible eventuality. There is no topic that the Rebbe did not address. Right? When in doubt, read what the Rebbe said!
This is our current model. It is as true now as it was then. The Rebbe’s teachings guide our every action and provide insight on how to deal with exceptional circumstances.
And it works – nearly all of the time.
Any objective thinker would surely acknowledge that core issues may arise in the coming years –as a result of technological, societal, or political changes etc.– that have never existed in the past. Or, issues can come up where the application of the Rebbe’s words to a specific situation is not apparent. If you need any proof of this, just take a look at the Call of the Shofar controversy!
To be absolutely clear, I firmly believe that the Rebbe’s teachings contain the answers to every possible question that has ever and will ever be asked. The Rebbe’s works are in no way deficient, chas ve’shalom! The problem is us. Without leadership – without our Rebbe present, our ability to interpret and apply solutions is severely limited. Each Mashpia, pulpit rabbi, cult buster, and Chossid chooses to follow whatever path makes sense to him. There is no clear directive. There is no final say.
The Call of the Shofar controversy is a wakeup call! It is a sign of what is to come in our collective future when other similar, but perhaps even more fundamental and core, issues arise. It is an awakening and it, indeed, beckons some sort of transformation.
Limitations of the Written Word
Wait, I still see the pitchforks… How dare I blasphemously suggest that we are all-too-often lacking in our ability to interpret the Rebbe’s teachings?
Well, let’s back up a few steps:
It is known that the Alter Rebbe authored the Tanya to be the ‘go-to’ guide to answer any questions Chassidim would have in Yiddishkeit. Yet, it took six Rebbes and thousands of Maamorim to further explain and apply the principles.
Further back:
It has been written in seforim that everything in the Torah – everything that was, is, and will be – is contained within the first pasuk of Bereishis. And, in an even more succinct way, everything is concentrated within the very small dot (the ‘dagesh’) within the Beis of the word ‘Bereishis’.
Yet, most of us would not be able determine a psak halacha or form a foundational hashkafa by simply staring at that dot (-not even after hours of Call of the Shofar deep breathing meditations). It takes the greatest of giants to expound upon the ‘crowns’ of the letters in the Torah. We rely on thousands of year’s worth of commentary, interpretation, explanation, clarification, and elucidation of our holiest sages in each generation – resulting in our mesorah.
Never in history were we satisfied with just what has already been written and instructed – until, apparently, after Gimmul Tammuz.
This, then, is the inherent problem here: our missing leadership – the lack of one final authoritative opinion to provide direction to the masses.
This problem we all may be afraid of acknowledging can lie dormant for many years; until we are faced with a core dilemma. The Call of the Shofar controversy is, in the big scheme of things, a small stone compared to the boulders we will likely encounter on our path in the future.
The Unsolvable Problem?
It is always easier to point out a problem than to propose a solution. It is not my place to suggest that a supreme board made up of our saintliest Mashpia, our most knowledgeable Rav, our most intellectual thinker, and perhaps our most senior and genuine Chossid – a council, if you will – should be providing all of us Chassidim with the final directives.
Indeed not every question has an answer. But, while we may not have a way of resolving this issue right now, we can still hope and believe – with all our might – that the next generation will not be asking the very same question in twenty years from now. After all, Moshiach will arrive today!!
The problem, though, is that this was the answer we told the last generation some twenty years ago…
So I ask you my dear reader, my fellow Chossid, is there something that can be done to put this problem to rest?
The author may be reached at [email protected].
it is an excellent article – we need sincere altruistic leadership to help guide us on the Rebbe’s directives – “aseh lecha rav!” means exactly that! Leadership/unity is sorely lacking – anyone claiming the opposite is either naive, self-focused or out of touch. The reactions created from editorials on COL are indicative of lack of ahavas yisroel: many are judgemental, narrow-minded, sanctimonious. I sometimes wonder, when reading the comments, whether some people actually read and comprehend the editorials, or simply REACT blindly the minute they feel it is outside their personal comfort zone or life experience. And for many, fear… Read more »
Great ARticle!!!!!!!!!
Chanoch actually did provide a suggestion (the ‘supreme council’), but just did not impose it on everyone, as many in our community often do.
He was humble and sensitive when he wrote ‘It is not my place to suggest…’
Frankly, we are too messed up at this point for any solution to work. If only this article was written 20 years ago………….
Finally, someone with common sense. A clear thinker who can express himself elegantly and clearly. We are in need of real leadership. COL, please get this Chanoch person to write more often!! He is scoring 2 for 2!
So true. So perfectly expressed. Finally someone exposed the elephant sitting in the room all these years!!
That’s a lot of words for saying nothing. His point is that since 3 tammuz we rely on the igros /horaos from the Rebbe with many interpretations. We already knew that and it shouldn’t take 25 paragraphs to say it. Suggest a solution perhaps. Without a solution this was just a waste of time.
Whover knows even 1 letter more than his neihhber, must become a teacher, and share that which(knowlge wisdom or inspiration) he has,
Had we folloewd the Rebbe’s instructions, of aseh lecha rav, daily chitas, rambam, true farbrengens, personal chshbin hanefesh….
Yes, with the exeptiion of accute psychiatric or trauma issues, chasidus Has The Answer.
Practicing the love and middos chasidus demands = prevention of most childhood trauma or neglect
If only, but thank G-d, no. The problem with that there is no one with enough (Torah) authority to act as final word on any subject is that there is no one with enough (Torah) authority to act as final word on any subject. It’s been said: make for yourself a Rav. I have a Rav. I will not accept your Rav’s authority. I will hear what he has to say. We live in a generation where Rabbonim and Mashpim have to connect to the Talmidim. Talmidim need now will to receive. Pnimi. Maybe there is superior element in this.… Read more »
Before Gimmel Tammuz, no one compared themselves to “Boro Park & Lakewood”. Stop hiding in the corner and thinking that those without Chassidus automatically know better than our 7 rebbes. (Hint: they never thought that highly of you, so COTS won’t change anything)
There are a few already, but we can se all the help we can get
Just asking??
True that Shea Hect is an expert on this matter.
Why isn’t he speaking tonight at the asifa???
anyone who went must rebrainwash themselves by learning a LARGE amount of chassidus-for their own sake. and yes, it is horrible that so many went. the satan found a clever way to ensnare the top! major teshuva is needed. BH it at least hopefully stopped now- or who knows what could have been. BH we do have a Rebbe NOW who continues to watch over us. He begged us to get a personal mashpia who we should each be turning to individually. so far i have not heard of any chabad Rav who allowed this. every Rav knowledgeable in this… Read more »
Its very simple. If people are flocking to COTS, its because there is something fundamentally lacking. What is it? Shluchim in general are more interested in Outreach than in Inreach,and busy feathering their own nests. Obviously it is a big generalisation,but think about it.
We need to get the top Shluchim in the world (English speaking) to move to Crown Heights at least temporarily, and do their Shlichus there. They could take turns, and after a year or two when they return to their original Shlichus, others could come and take over. More role models/ Mashpiim are needed!!
Who will ask R. Kotlarski to do it?
Can u speak your own language or are u that brainwashed?
Do some research on family & level of their observance.
I’m not saying Dr.’s & therapists need to be Yirei Shomayim but if they claim to package & sell this retreat as Torah & simply repackaged Chassidus (or true Farbrengen) it should not be under the guidance of this individual. His & his family’s lifestyle certainly don’t portray the principals we aspire to.
#34 sounds like COTS member but says “what’s wrong with getting in touch with our feelings and letting those dictate how we feel”?…um just that that’s completely contrary to Chassidim principals which guide our life…oh yes, and the Torah’s. OWNER sounds like u might’ve been given bartered therapy at COTS (or u paid;) again using the lingo familiar to this program which members begin to repeat & use. I appreciate u care about our “well-being” but just use Ahavas Yosroel like we Chassidim are used to. To the commenter concerned with the resources for SHLUCHIM. I can’t understand how u… Read more »
If You really do not have a job you should consider comedy…..I never laughed so hard…….
Another Deah-Zogger in lubavitch. Nu, nu, nu. But one thing we know for sure, az er is a greise chochom, because he says so. Vey iz mir…
There is no complication with any of this, it is a matter of common sense. You don’t need a Bais Din, a Rav, or a Rosh Yeshiva to figure this out. The problem that Chabad has currently is they keep on looking for someone else to give them answers. The strength that was the Rebbe for many has now become our weakness R’L. Chabad is not Chagas Chassidus, stand up for yourself, learn, and be an adult, and make the tough choices. I have never been to “The Call of the Shofar” and I can tell exactly what it is.… Read more »
take the concept, and think about.
it makes no difference who says it, is it true or is it not.
kabek es ha’emes mi’mi sho’omroi
If u live ur life the wa the Rebbe expects of u, mashpia, chitas, focus on ur family etc u will be happy
If you go to shofar you will get the tools to overcome your shame. I strongly recommend it for you. Don’t base your value on others judgements.
That this Chanoch character is just using a controversial topic to stir the pot and to show how smart they are. The last thing we need is another board and another layer of bureaucracy. What we need simply is for people to start minding their own business. This idea of group think is very unhealthy. If Shofar is illegal, it should be shut down, but if it is not, then it won’t be. The only issue, that has been raised here before is the involvement of people sending students. That is irresponsible if consent from parents were not obtained before… Read more »
Articulate, good points.
Yaakov
This call of the shofar business has made a MOCKERY of all of us
With all due respect to the author – who writes well and makes a salient point – you are using the CULTS issue to clamber upon your soapbox, but with absolutely no relevance. There are those who say that the Rebbe would forbid CULTS, and there are those who say that the Rebbe permitted using TM etc. for those who knew how to channel it and needed it. BUT, show me ONE person who will say that the Rebbe would encourage Chassidim to go, en mass, on Shabbos, to a “retreat”, run by a – let me stay in the… Read more »
That is your solution??? Set up a board/ authority to tell us what to do? We need to teach our children to THINK, and “up our game” better education, better more emotionally stable families, a better idea of what a Rav and mashpia is and how and when to ask for advice without feeling like you are asking a complete stranger to :make” decisions for you that are based on minimal info. etc. A emotionally healthy, confident, and thoughtful person would understand clearly why a group like this or many other numerous things in life are not a good idea.… Read more »
One of the best comments yet! I’ll get you a job in Hollywood!
No One thinks Frischling is the new Rebbe, You are taking this out of proportion.
The call of the shofar is a simple self help and awareness program.
people are taking this Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion in saying it’s avodah zara and a cult
this is not about live and let live, this is not about wel lif it works for some people why not,- do you think our ancesters who practiced avoda zora didn’t say the sme thing. it makes me feel better, it is making me into a better spouse. we allknow the challenge was very very great. we know chachomim and yirai shomayim fell into the trap easily. These excercises is done in budha etc. this is avoda zoro so who cares it it makes you feel better and makes you into a better person – you are practising avoda zora… Read more »
Do we all really care about call of the shofar or are we using this a metaphor about the state of Chabad. I think this is a debate about “is the Rebbe and Chassidus still relevant to Chabad/Crown Heighs today?”
Think about it, what is really bothering everyone, why such heated debates pro and against?
Look into your hearts. Much Love. Such Questions. Out
when this non profesional retreat gets reported to the NJ psych association it will be closed down by the state . Thank GD it has been exposed now proper authority will end this dangerous retreat It dangerous to the participants . Unless frishling can produce a legal document that he is authorized by the state of NJ his days as a non profesional therapist will be over
This so-called ‘Chacham’ is not helpful, and it looks like he wants to toot his own horn. If he is really interested in making a difference, there is a place, time and people for this, otherwise you are making a mockery of Chabad. As stated earlier, the Rebbe gave us everything, everything to deal with the issues that may come up. There are Rabbanim, Aguch, Merkos, Hora’os etc. We don’t need an “Chacham Board” to make new rules and lay down new laws. If we follow every directive of the Rebbe, especially, Asei Lecha Rav, there is no issue here… Read more »
At least let’s catch it when we are two groups before we start splintering into tens of groups (lo oleinu!) as has happened to other chassidus groups…
My, my! I envy your family. Are you aware of what’s really going on out there?
Chanoch is right. We are missing leadershp and we are just sticking our heads in the ground about it.
The problem is Chabad is split in 2 and every Rav mashpia etc has a negia to one side so they can’t be an uber council that all the chassidim will accept
Look at all our children who were born after gimmel tammuz.
They are mekusher to the Rebbe, Our sons are going on
mivtzoim with mesiras nefesh, look at our daughters who are
constantly working on programs etc. They are filling their days and nights with constantly doing for the Rebbe. Look
at all those young couples who went on shlichus after gimmel tammuz. Those that seek direction from the Rebbe
get it!.
and – youll have found the secret to yelling ‘baruch hashem’ ive found the antidote to this cot meshugas
boy, you’ve got creative talent. go get yourself hired in corporate america! youve got what it takes. you’ll certainly not need COT to clear you of the past, youll be living the american dream.
Looks like every guy whos got a gripe has found a forum to vent . UInbeleivable!!!!!!! Do you realy believe all chabad schools are not good> Thats totaly absurd!!!!!! We dont have choshova caring Rabonim????? thats absurd All chabad people dont have ahavas yisroel???? Start with a retreat not grounded in mesorah and look at the comments . NOW IM CONVINCED THIS IS DANGEROUS
The Rebbe said clearly “Asei Lecha Rav” When you engage in anything that you are not sure about, ask a Rov. If he says that its ok, its ok. I do not buy that somehow Chabad is in crisis because a self-proclaimed chachom by the name of Chanoch says it is so. This whole issue is a tempest in teapot. People went to a stupid retreat and got ripped off. They feel better and feel that they did not get ripped off. Mah tov umah Na-im. The only issue is this: Did mashpiim convince bochurim to go without explicit written… Read more »
Right on!!!!!!
Let’s call a spade a spade. There is a three pronged reason why we have folks from Chabad running to places like this, and doing other things that the Rebbe would most certainly not be happy with.
Lack of:
1) Trustworthy, honorable, Rabbnim in Chabad who are true leaders.
2) Lack of Ahavas Yisrael in Chabad
3) Overall bad Education system in Chabad
Look at whats happening . Now we have people maligning the shluchim and the kinus. Might I remind this person that the kinus was very very dear to the Rebbe.How dare you compare the kinus to this mumbo jumbo retreat Shame on all the people who are jelous of the msiras nefesh of the shluchim. Now I know this retreat is bringing out this blasfomous atitude. If its not grounded in the mesorah of our holy Rbaim then we have to question it . The more people post comments the more you can glean that it is the opposit of… Read more »
please tell me where the rebbe said that
Thank you #24 (and we think we know who you are!) for speaking the facts on our behalf, and especially for your kind personal words about our character. May G-d Bless you!
We are surprised that #15 was close enough to have been “told” things directly and yet can be so far “off base” with what is so. Read #24, and know that, in the words of King David, we seek your well-being;and, may G-d Bless you, as well!
it works and is amazing. And it seems like what he’s doing at the shabbaton in theory is the same idea. So just if the therapist that you spoke to is not familiar doesnt mean this concept doesnt exist and doesnt mean it doesnt work it sure does work and you need to try it to see for yourself!!!
I like that he made it about us and our problems and not about COTS. The fellow who runs it got waaaaay more attention than he deserved. He merely exploited our obvious problems to sell us the “fix”. We need our own mashpiim and rabbonim to work on fixing our kehilla. Not Ohr Sameach grads.
I don’t know what fruit punch you just drank, but I would certainly check it out… Seriously, what are you even talking about??
one method not familiar to therapists unless trained in it is net. It allows a person to destress emotions that are blocking them from living their life fullest. And the person would do kiniesology and test first what the issue is and then address it and the therapist would want the person to do whatever would help him really get into the emotion whether be screaming or whatever to connect with it and then release it. It really works and is
He wrote it anonymously because if you knew it was written by your mother you would be forced to agree. Now, you can approach the issue with an objective mind – if that is a possibility for you…
In general, better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
number 31 funny youre right i had enough of this fear based ridiculous society too!!!
cmon people let other’s live their life the way they want!!!!!
With all due respect the Rebbe gave clear instructions that we should all have a mashpia. If a chossid is confused and not sure if call of the shofar is something he should go to we have clear guidelines set in place by our Rebbe. Speak to your mashpia and listen. End of confusion. This may not be a situation where the same answer would apply across the board. And this very answer was already given by Rabbi Hecht a community leader and expert in the field. Perhaps the “true issue” lies with us and our ability to listen when… Read more »
I don’t have a job, leaving me plenty of time to read the half dozen op-eds about COTS and each of the hundreds of comments. I personally couldn’t afford to go to COTS, since I was told I cannot pay the $750 fee with Food Stamps. However, my good friend Gavriel Ha’Gvir who has plenty of money, went. He told me all about it and the reason why Lubavitchers are so attracted to it. There are two types of people at COTS. One group is headed by Nosson Ha’Nebach – those who nebech had trauma and unresolved issues that make… Read more »
You guys are all living fear of what chas vshalom will happen if people get in touch with their feelings and make choices based on those. That’s all his program is about with tools to get there – who do you think you’re saving by labeling it as a problem. And blaming as lack of leadership. We all go to the ohel and or connect to Rebbe in our own way! There is no distinction! Your fears are overwhelming you! Relax! Why do you need to control all of chabad – when you can’t even control yourself…Let people make their… Read more »
Im just quoting what an atendee posted that he paid 750 for the weekend im not slandering. Im stating the truth this is not a bona fide mosod it is a prfit money making buisness who pass themselves off as trying to help people. The people they are helping are themselves to make money. It is not lshem mitzva or lshem shomayim. Call it as it is. It is not a chabad weekend trying to be mekarev peoople . Like you said these nice people are making a parnosoh renting their property to frishling who makes it a buisness. DR… Read more »
#18 you touched on the cause/symptom, can you take it to its final conclusion? Chabad is said to run operations near 1 billion dollars annually in aggregate (very close to the UJA). In the last 20 years how much of that has gone towards developing our Mashpiim? Our Milamdim? Our Morah’s? How much of that has gone towards ensuring our youth have the support they need to grow into yorei shomayim in a post gimmel tamuz world? In a world that left our own Mashpiim/Milamdim/Morah’s confused? 1) 4,500 attendees at a kinnus hashluchim that takes 6 months to prepare and… Read more »
Listen up everyone!
Listen!
We had enough of all this!
1 Article 2 articles 3 articles, genug!
Everyone do what u want and stop hitting your keyboards in anger. Let us do a group excerise:
Jump on a mattress and scream: “I had enough of this”
This article is truly amazing and brings out a very true point for our generation. It is often hard to have clarity on specific issues that arise. I hope teh author will write more and impact many more people, as this impacted me. Thank you Chanoch for writing!!!
I agree with all the platitudes: this is the first coherent, on-the-mark piece since the story broke. Hopefully it will serve as a catalyst for positive growth in Crown Heights, in a meaningful way. Personally, i wish there were Shabbatons offered at decent prices to spend a “refresher” with a Chassid of caliber, as not everyone can relate or be inspired from spending Shabbos at the Ohel.
Had your point been that we suffer a great crises of loss of intelligence, i’d agree. But when you began to head off in the direction of your historical prospectives of concern over the future, you were in my eyes reduced to our common sweet-talker who purchased an education. Instead of contemplating what our future looks like, and instead of making fun of those who have a belief to avoid such concerns, why not worry about future population growth and global warming?
THE REBBE INSRUCTED US THAT WHEN IN DOUBT ASK YOUR LOCAL BAIS DIN.THE PROBLEM IS NOT THAT WE DONT HAVE A LEADER CHAS VSHOLOM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE REFUSE TO LISTEN TO OUR LEADERS INSRUCTIONS.
Why hasnt it hit other chasidic groups or yeshivish people? The answer is simple they have enough self respect not to do such absurd behaviours on the holy shabos. Its painful but true. It might be chizoniyus thinking but there is something to it. Chabad has always relied on our learning chasidus and pnimiyus to shield us. There is something wrong if people dont realize this is not shabosdik.WE need to start learning more chasidus. If they did this mid week on their vacation or off days its a halba tzoroh.By the way I asked a renowned Pshycologist about what… Read more »
Waht an incredibly well written piece! Gets right down to our core issue in such a direct and sensitive way while not exposing himself by taking a hard position. A SERIOUS YASHER KOIACH!!! We want more!
I know the owners of the property on which the retreat is held. They rent out the property (in this case, to COTS), but as a means of parnassah.They are fine people who very often give use of their property for no money at all… or a portion, usually for the upkeep of the property and a small profit. They are definitely not getting 750 a head.. you are very misinformed. Please don’t be slanderous towards the family.
this has been the smartest most coherent thing said
I totally agree with your point.
In response to the author of this op-ed, I personally believe that
since Hashem doesn’t leave any generation without a leader, and based on what I’ve learned from others (through a Sicha), we just all need to be Mekabel Moshiach, which if we all do, we will be Zoiche to have the Rebbe back in a Guf answering all our very pertinent questions.
This comment is not meant to instigate the anti”s/Mishichistin war. Please speak respectfully if you want to comment on it.
Our own Chabad rabbis charge a fortune for their weekends. Instead of maligning COTS for their fees, do our very own have the right to outprice us?
Yes they both have some free stuff online, but #16, how will your good suggestions be implemented?
Then why do we turn to him to solve internal problems. Chassidus was revealed by someone holier, in my humble opinion
Granted, there’s a leadership crisis, but knowing if COTS is something positive is not a complex question. As comment #2 suggested, just look up all the influences COTS founder proudly provides (Landmark Forum, New Warrior Training, etc.) At best, they are practicing radical forms of therapy without proper training or a license. At worst, people have killed themselves right after the “training”. Some of his influences are clearly from various forms of religions from Asia. The old fashioned cults had a single leader that was the focus. The more modern cult-like orgs use many of the same mind control techniques… Read more »
If only the Rebbe’s institution called Agudas Chassidei Chabad would be proactive, we would be much better off.
The Rebbe endowed Aguch with this very responsibility, yet…
The insinuation in this articulate historical perspective (which btw does expose some of his basic ignorance in Mesoras Yisroel) is that the Rebbe left us as orphans, and this Chochom Chanoch has discovered the problem! That is (perhaps a little more than slightly) offensive. Shame that the author is ignorant in another fundamental point: The Rebbe himself was very much aware of the problem and clearly addressed the issue a number of times, as hard as it was for us to hear it then. For example: motzei’sh Terumah 48; the sicha about the TT putting himself in sakono. If we… Read more »
I believe the Rebbe said that when in doubt we should consult with a Chasidesher Rov. The Rebbe stressed the importance of having a Mashpia. These two suggestions are a very good beginning. If one does not have a Mashpia yet, they should sit by themselves and think about the importance of having a Mashpia and how much the Rebbe (which Boruch Hashem we all hold by our Rebbe’s suggestions and would no doubt agree that they are for our 100% benefit) encouraged us to have a Mashpia, and find one. As we have seen posted earlier the retreat with… Read more »
i met the owner of the property in Morristown about two years ago.He inherited the large property and told me he was going to turn it into a retreat so he can make some money from the property. I didnt put it together until I read about cots . I guess he found his gold mine on the propety at 750 a head he has struck it rich off the gullible atendees. Just to note we already have Dr B who also was well meaning in the begining then the money got to him. Its simple ki hashochad yaever einei… Read more »
Why did the “Call of the …” lure so many fine Lubavitchers? Because Chabad Chassidim as a group, are the most advanced in Avoidas Hashem, because they learn and live Pnimiyus Toiras Moshe, (especially Toras Moshe Shebidorenu) and are really on the road out of their personal Mitzraim. Amalek is a klippa that ultimately is a lifeless shell, yet it is a parasite that needs to feed off life from somewhere. Amalek can’t attack a Jew when he is completely in Mitzraim nor can he get to a Jew that is firmly in Eretz yisroel, Amalek can only attack a… Read more »
The problem we have now with so many people influenced, as well as mashpiim who cannot be trusted anymore with our precious children is a big one and is definitely worth still discussing. The issues at hand must be dealt with before we move on.
Fabulously written. Can’t we get more of you on the websites?!?
From the Facebook page of one of the senior facilitators at call of the shofar (Moe Srour): “I actually feel so grateful and blessed that I have my own community my own rabbis and my own heritage. Personally, I could care less if it is aligned with chassidus, I say this not out of ambivalence towards chassidus I just don’t hold it in such high regard and I didn’t grow up in it. To me we teach principles and principles by definition are universal, and simple. Principles in general are applicable to people of all walks of life, Jewish or… Read more »
While you have a point about the author not signing his name, sometimes the biggest impact can be made by hot having the readers know the author’s identity. Readers may get stuck on ripping apart the author’s opinion based on what they know about him/her personally. Sometimes the facts/opinions just need to be aired for discussion as they are, regardless of who is stating them. People need to assess how they themselves feel about what the author is writing, rather than get distracted by discussing why the author feels that way.
This article is a diversion from the issue by someone who – based on his issues with the issues – seems to have attended call of the shofar. While it is true that other issues exist, the COT (sic) issue at hand seems a pretty big one to me and one worth discussing.
Many have lamented over the lack of leadership…. but lets be honest- will we accept anyone??
and if we wont, then lets stop complaining.
Ask the breslover Chasiddim how they manage.
You speak the truth!
But listen up folks
Philosophy won’t help on collive. Philosophy will help in your mind, and when you talk to other machanchim and mashpiim,
However, the main thing is: action.
Hamaaseh Hoo HaIkar!!
Love and respect your children and students wholeheartedly, smile at them and encourage them warmly and understandingly on the path of Torah,
And they will not turn to call of shofar.
Hamaaseh hoo haikar, just do it.
The BEST op-ed on COLLIVE in a long while.
Chaval, the author chooses to pen this anonymously.
No lynching!
Its all nice to say the cult is not the point, and we need to figure out why people are choosing to attend a program such as COTS, but we do have a very real problem right now. Hundreds of our fellow community members, rabbis and shluchim have been brainwashed by these people. They are all going around thinking this Frischling is ‘the new Rebbe’, hes a genius, he figured out the secret to true happiness, like he discovered america. Read the articles in the link below and you will see that COTS methods are the same as many other… Read more »
if you want to be taken seriously, sign your name.