There is an easy method to spot a newcomer in a synagogue. After Hagbaha and Gelila, does the person head straight back to the Aron, or does he walk over to congregants for a chance to kiss the Torah?
While kissing the Torah is a known act of respect for the Torah in all Jewish communities, Halacha states it is prohibited to walk over and extend the scroll to the people’s reach.
The reason, as written in Pirkei Avot (1, 12), is “[One should] be of the disciples of Aaron – one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.
Meaning: One should draw others towards the Torah, and its Mitzvos, rather than bringing the Torah closer to them.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe was very clear in his directives on this topic as well, encouraging shluchim, Rabbis and organizations to be strong in keeping not only the letter of the law, but also the spirit at all times.
So what happens when regulars act like newcomers, over-reaching to others and leaving the spirit and laws of the Torah behind, all in the name of outreach?
It has been a while that frum institutions – not in far-flung cities and countries, but here in Crown Heights – are crossing basic boundaries in pursuit of fundraising and public relations.
Whether it be at social events which no longer have a frum, tzinusdik feel, at golf tournaments that hide the ’embarrassing’ fact the we are Lubavitchers, or promotional videos featuring only non-Jewish children, is this what we come to see from institutions founded by the Rebbe and aiming to “educate our children?”
What do I tell my children? Where does the buck stop?
Problem is: nobody is interested to hear.
every post that you put up, must be published twice. that way, it looks like there are more comments up. (dear admin, please do not delete my post, if you really think that I am too extreme, feel free to go ahead and edit it. The main point of the comments is for people to be able to voice their opinions. However, the main point from your point of view, is to generate attention and interest. So PLEASE publish posts that are extreme and make no sense. In addition, feel free to copy the post so you can get 38… Read more »
let all these comments go to hhh rabbi korf rocks!
as a shliach I know I am far from the only shliach who AGREES 100% with the author, I was surprised to see many of my friends who used to be not that careful bout things but the more successful they became on shlichus, the more careful they are, and it bothers them to see how the so called ‘top mosdos’ are so ‘relaxed’ with these standards…
🙁
ANOTHER ASPECT IS THE KOSHER SUPERVISION OF CATERED EVENTS.
as a shliach I know I am far from the only shliach who AGREES 100% with the author, I was surprised to see many of my friends who used to be not that careful bout things but the more successful they became on shlichus, the more careful they are, and it bothers them to see how the so called ‘top mosdos’ are so ‘relaxed’ with these standards…
🙁
please tell me about grafic design….;)
This op-ed is actually very interesting. Whether it be for Crown heightsers or Shluchim the world over. I myself have had conflicting feelings about dinners honoring goyim, peulos to raise money like helping sick cancer children (goyim,) helping drug and alchohol addicts etc.. obviously all humanitarian acts, but at the end of the day these are all tactics to fundraise and anyone who denies this is either convincing himself or just plain naive. The question is (and I ask myself as well as collive readers) is this REALLY what the Rebbe wanted? I dont know, the Rabbonim give vague answers… Read more »
I love this! A whole bunch of bored people will together fix Lubavitch!
Let’s watch what organizations do to be mekarev kids to judiasm, and then critique.
There is no need for us to do anything, to go on mivtzoim, as they are ready doing it. All we should do is suggest how they should do things. Let’s maybe support them, or maybe not – they look so good and succesful, they must be raking it in, no???
Some people are so smartan and they even have websites, so we should certainly take their opinion into consideration.
No?
Until I get up and start doing something for the Rebbe, I don’t feel I have the right to sit on the side and complain about the one organization that does something, especially not in a public forum – ask me about graphic design, I’ll tell you…
the organization you are talking about is purely a secular one working on tolerance understanding etc. nothing to do with yiddishkeit
the only yiddishkeit they have is that tzivos hashem has offices their
No one likes to hear criticism esp. ‘oif der ganef brent dem hittel” No matter how much good people are doing, if they are sincere they should be happy to hear what needs improvement. Standards are definitely going downhill and those active in communal affairs have to be extra cautious because they are ROLE MODELS.
Can you delight us again with your thesaurus articles?
short and too the point!
the mashpiim and leaders are quiet. Do you hear them talk loudly and clearly about the problems that exist amongst the Shluchim???? or are they afraid to challenge the system.
The groiseh Rabbonim are afraid to open their mouths.All they want is to find favor in the eyes of everyone and get a nice pat on the back on COLLIVE. (-:
If a shliach changes what the mishalaiach wants is he still a shliach?
Is this the most demanding issue in your life right now??? get a life!!
You definately have too much time on your hands….
What you said makes a lot of sense, however I think the writer was using the issue of carrying a sefer Torah as a moshol for “bringing Torah down to the people’ instead of “bringing people up closer to Torah”. I don’t think he meant that issue literally. He was referring to the big picture, the issue of “watering down” Torah etc. This may (or may not; I don’t know) be a problem that some shluchim need to learn. However, I 100% agree with your point that we should focus on the good that shluchim do (and there’s lots of… Read more »
Where are the leaders and mashpiim?! The leaders are waiting for someone to come along and follow them. Ain Melech Be’Lo Am. If there is no one willing to take them seriously on everything they say, who’s to say that I should listen to them on this subject? Once you start to pick and choose what you want to hear, it’s all based on your moral feeling of right and wrong – and once you come to that, who needs a leader? If people would choose a Mashpia – according to the Rebbe’s hora’os,- and stick with them – according… Read more »
What you said makes a lot of sense, however I think the writer was using the issue of carrying a sefer Torah as a moshol for “bringing Torah down to the people’ instead of “bringing people up closer to Torah”. I don’t think he meant that issue literally. He was referring to the big picture, the issue of “watering down” Torah etc. This may (or may not; I don’t know) be a problem that some shluchim need to learn. However, I 100% agree with your point that we should focus on the good that shluchim do (and there’s lots of… Read more »
Thank u for giving a voice to these important overlooked issues that no one wants to even deal with (not to mention care about)
btw, if i ever get to write an op-ed i will also not write my name. You know why? because people today are so shallow – they will attack the messenger, instead of thinking about the message (i.e. Y Korf’s articles)
money talks………………
its all about raising money? im petrified t see the funraising you would do f the attitude is “as long as you raise it”
theres a standard we got- the highest. lets stay there.
between organizating a dinner or golf event for the cause or being totally into it with all heart and soul that makes participants wonder what is the real cause…
good thing he/she writes anonymously otherwise there would realy be tzores.
where are the leaders and mashpiim. Why is everyone who wants to take credit when things are good so quiet when things need attention and improvement.
And whats up with any criticism against the Shluchim can’t be. What, are they beyond reproach, are all of them every single one of them lamdonim doing the right thing and no need for improvement.?
ehoiv es habikoires and practice this. Just don’t gloat over the positive pictures and articles listen to an honest criticism.
I don’t agree or disagree. An anonymous OP-ED says nothing.
An essay expressing a strong opinion has no legs without the name behind the opinion. Are you ashamed of what you wrote?
but what’s wrong with golfing?
if that’s what will help mosdos/chabad houses raise $$
then I don’t see anything wrong with it
Why are people so opinionated?
just do your own thing and get over with it. there is a reason why Aguch was created.
dinners out of crown heights are expected to be mixed
but why why do mixed events in c.h.?
Seems like the writer was referring to unzere mosdos in the shchuna and not “Der Rebbe’s Shluchim”
The author of the article is not meaning to criticize shluchim, he means to criticize himself and all the other residents of his community who by actions have proven that they do not care much for the halachic aspect of judaism. On that matter he is right; but what to tell his children? You can talk to them from today till tommorow, but,
ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
Who impowered you to be the judge on how every institution conducts their business. You worry about yourself following the proper way for you and your children as you see proper. Every institution has it’s ways and considerations in deciding what is right and proper for them and what is not. You have the choice of either assiciating yourself with them or choose not to. This is your right. However, lets not become each others judges and Magidei Mussar. It doesn’t serve the purpose anyway. We all have to be individually conscious of the do’s and dont’s and follow our… Read more »
I am sure that you know, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged his chassidim to learn halacha and receive rabbinic ordination. Which means that they are in effect rabbonim capable of paskening halachah (the halachos which they know, of course). Additionally, most shluchim have a rov to whom they ask their shailos to which they do not know the answer to. They also have mashpi’im. There is an obvious reason why probably aren’t any of the abovementioned. Instead of writing a short anonymous ‘blog post’ bashing the people who are dedicating their lives and giving up the comforts (which I doubt you… Read more »
I’m been saying this for years
nobody cares anymore
Shluchim office or tzach; Rabbanim, Maqshpiam have to respond and not turn a blind eye. It is difficult to get involved but worse when don’t.
tell your children that you love them!
::::))))))))))