By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Chani Lifshitz, co-director of Chabad in Nepal, made headlines in Israel on Thursday after she turned down the state honor of lighting a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony.
Lifshitz was originally chosen by the organizing committee in recognition of the work she and her husband Rabbi Chezki Lifshitz do in the Far East, helping and impacting thousands of Israeli backpackers and Jewish visitors.
The couple are iconic in Israeli culture by organizing the largest Pesach Seder in the world for many years and embarking on rescue missions for lost Israelis. An Israeli TV drama was based on their selfless life.
Mrs. Lifshitz accepted the offer to participate, feeling that it would bring her more success in her work. Being that Lifshitz holds an official position in the Chabad movement, Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad in Israel instructed her to rescind her participation.
“The only authority that can approve participation in such events,” they wrote, is Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Israel and the Beis Din, the bodies appointed by the Rebbe to govern Chabad matters in Israel.”
In 2011, Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg, a Lubavitcher chossid who holds no official position in Chabad, lit a torch at the ceremony after the Mumbai terror attack that killed his daughter and son in law, Rivki and Gabi Holtzberg HY”D. Chabad Rabbis then said his participation did not represent the Chabad movement.
In a statement on Facebook, Mrs. Lifshitz wrote: “I was asked to cancel my participation in the Independence Day ceremony and I cannot wade into the fires of controversy… I may not have the honor of lighting a torch, but I have already received the greatest honor on this planet — a life of mission and mutual responsibility. There is no greater gift!”
Today, Chabad is the most recognized group in Israel, tirelessly and famously working with people of all backgrounds, with special emphasis on the soldiers, victims of terror, students, elderly, and all those who need extra attention.
Despite the Rebbe keeping close contact with Israeli government officials and being intimately involved in public affairs, the Chabad movement has refrained from participating in official ceremonies. This is despite chassidim taking an active role in Israeli life, including serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Yossi Elituv, a Lubavitcher who is the Editor of Mishpacha Magazine, explained that until today, Chabad covertly operates in anti-Zionist countries such as Cuba, Iran and others to serve their Jewish population. He said Chabad is therefore strict to guard against any type of labeling.
Historically speaking, one Chabad official explained to COLlive.com, the Zionist ideology, which created the state of Israel, is controversial because, being a secular idea, it espoused the notion that Jewish people should be like the rest of the nations.
“Indeed, the Israeli declaration of independence, as well as the national anthem known as ‘hatikvah’, do not contain the name of G-d,” the rabbi said. “Israeli independence day, therefore, was shunned by almost all halachic authorities, including the Chabad movement – but not its participants.”
He added, “At the same time, one must also recognize the great miracle of Jews resettling in the land of Israel, given to our people by the Almighty and give thanks to Him for the opportunities is presents to serve G-d.”
In response to the decision, Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev, who organizes the ceremony, said: “I was saddened to hear that Chani Lifshitz would not be able to participate.”
She added, “Chani represents the network of Chabad Houses around the world that provides a warm home to every Israeli in every corner in the world where a Chabad center exists. This is an opportunity to express appreciation to the contribution of Chabad Houses that provide a roof for many youngsters from all parts of Israeli society.”
Good decision.
No question about it
Chabad is anti-zionist. No matter how much we support the security and prosperity of the Jewish *residents* of Eretz Yisroel, and seek to ensure that they have a government and army that will protect them and help them serve Hashem, we must never forget that the concept of the *State* of Israel is chazer treif, and we must make no acknowledgment of it in our mosdos. The Rebbe did not allow even the mention of Israel independence in any Chabad publication, he always referred to it as Choshech Koful Um’chupol, and would certainly never allow a representative of Chabad to… Read more »
He also recognized and met with alot of israeli officials so lets calm down a little.
If anything non-zionist but not “Anti’ that’s a term the Rebbe opposed very much.
Read the letters in the Hakdamo to Kuntres Umaayon and see for yourself if the Rebbe Rashab was Anti-Zionist or “Non-Zionist”
You are so busy defending a theoretic perspective, you are missing what the Rebbe did in practice. And that is where you are wrong- the Rebbe put Jewish lives and ahavas yisroel first, so although there is a theoretical philosophical problem with Zionism as a movement, especially when it was more about theoretical plans for what would be, the Rebbe was completely dedicated to helping the people of Eretz Yisroel, which also included people in the government, keeping very updated on the politics etc. so he could advise them. Let’s live by the Rebbe’s example, with ahavas yisroel first, and… Read more »
Saying that something is wrong is not hepech ahavas yisroel. It may be actually the definition of ahavas yisroel. Bashing people individually and unnecessarily is hepech ahavas yisroel. Zionism, attaching religious significance to a political state, confuses youth and can be a huge, huge turn off, as no political state before Moshiach is perfect and chas vsholom that a child would confuse Ben Gurion’s vision as being that of Torah. Modern day politicians far appreciate true Lubavitch pragmatism (the “state” has no religious significance, but saving lives does, there’s also a mitzvah not to give up land because of a)the… Read more »
The Rebbe never rejected the term “anti”. And he absolutely rejected every aspect of the State of Israel. That he met ministers and officials means nothing. He met them because he cared about the *Jewish residents* of Eretz Yisroel; but he treated these officials exactly the same as he would treat American officials, or those of any country where a lot of Jews lived. Even his stance on territorial concessions was explicitly based NOT on Kedushas Ho’oretz as the religious zionists claimed, but on a halacha about defending Jewish communities in *Iraq*.
Someone once asked the Rebbe in yechidus if chabad is anti Zionist. To which the Rebbe replied, “how can any Jew be anti Zionist when we say every day 3 times a day – ותחזינה עינינו בשובך לציון ברחמים
Private answers are based on the meaning of the person being addressed. Ask the Rebbe what he thought of Ben Gurion’s state. Even the Begin government was a huge step up. The true Tzion of Moshiach is a different matter. So yes, the Rebbe was certainly against Ben Gurion establishing a state. Once it was established and Jewish lives, and the lives of everyone else in the area, were at stake – the situation changed, but not the underlying theme.
Thanks but chabad is not anti anything esp israel and yiddin who give their lives for klal yisroel
Very important to be positive- as the Rebbe was always in explaining to people. This is our chance to explain in a positive way, what Chabad and particularly the Rebbe has done for the IDF, the generals, at each of the wars, the settlements and cities where Chabad institutions are helping to grow Eretz yisroel. Kfar Chabad is the Rebbes inspiration and the many schools and yeshivas that were established. Its an auspicious time for the Jewish world to understand and be inspired by why the Rebbe guided us this way. Instead of the opposite, only good can come of… Read more »
If like to see letters like these sent out when more prominent Chabad members are invited to official Zionist ceremonies, because it’s ‘essential’ for the work they do blah blah.
This is not a big deal, she could gain greatly from this kind of recognition and Rabbonim should be focused on helping the community, helping keep everyone safe at a time like this and not meddling on a shluchas recognition.
Other shluchim refused similar requests. She now recognizes the need to as well.
I’m sure she asked the right people for instructions
With all due respect to the amazing work she and her husband do, why did she even agree in the first place? Every Chabad chossid knows that we do not acknowledge yom hatzmaut in any way. She should have politely declined when she was first offered! It was a busha that she agreed originally.
I am sure this is not the first time she was asked to do something zionistic and over time the barrier falls with pressure and it becomes easier to justify to ones self the importance of doing a torch lighting etc. etc. we all do it different areas of our lives….lets move on, next.
Jewish connection to Eretz Yisroel dates back to Avraham Avinu. Not to Independence Day. This is one of the points Our Rebbe brought up in a letter, to then MK Geula Cohen, when he was explaining to her the reasons he did not refer to the land/country as Israel. As many know, the Rebbe did not approve of honoring the Israeli flag or singing HaTikvah. And he did not want Chabadnikim celebrating Yom Atzmeiut. The Rebbe sited two pillars of Judaism that supported Jewish life in Eretz Yisroel. One. The first Rashi. Two. The Shulchan Orech about self defense even… Read more »
Very thankful for your comment!
The Rebbe took his name off of Tomchei Temimim, when Hatikva was sung at a yeshiva dinner.
Wishing you only brochois for doing the right Thing as a Chabad Shlucha!!
Not sure how this was allowed to get to this point. The initial request should have been referred to the vaad. The vaad would have declined Chani’s participation in the event. At that point, no one would have heard about this. Unfortunately, now her acceptance of the invitation and her rejection was made public. Such public actions are not good for the image of Chabad.Israeli secular society is very wary of the super religious. Will this perhaps c”v cause back packers to second guess attending a pesach seder at chabad? I really hope not. Please use some basic public relation… Read more »
Everyone saw it on the news
because they actually need Chabad
Chabad becomes their home away from home
and most of them could not care less either way about this
…Hungry backpackers will ALWAYS attend Chabad events.
I’m impressed and inspired by this Shlucha.
The amount of damage she just did by agreeing first and then saying no and the post she wrote on social media is so great.
Such a shod that someone with so much zechuyos like her making such a big mistake.
Who gave her the permission to say yes at first!?
It’s the lack of עשה לך רב that causing all the damage.
BEFORE we make decision like that we must ask permission from a Rov or a Mashpia….
Why are you assuming she didnt check with her mashpia? On the other hand she should have never posted on FB afterward….thats a big mistake – better to have been quite – it makes it look like shes disgruntled and purposely did that – its a mistake – gam ze yavor.
We can debate this to high heavens. It’s a question of optics. The Shlucha should not have accepted. And once she did, the higher ups should not have put a stop to it. More damage is done by coming out against it than by her doing it in the first place.
Never give in.chabad will not represent zionisem in any way.if the rabanim would allow this they would be going against the rebbe.chabad in support of protecting eretz yisrael has nothing to do with protecting the so called jewish state.It is a halacha to protect jewish owned land evan outside of eretz yisrael this has nothing to do with the jewish STATE started by zionisem.
It is very disturbing when people make the wrong assumption that Chabad endorses Zionism. From the beginning, when the secular ideology of Zionism surfaced the Rebbe Reshab came out very strongly against Zionism and how it uproots basic tenants of Yiddishkeit. Good for this shulcha for making a קידוש השם and standing up for תורה and אמת.
“Chabad covertly operates in anti-Zionist countries such as Cuba, Iran and others to serve their Jewish population. He said Chabad is therefore strict to guard against any type of labeling.”
This, ^, is is not why we don’t participate in Yom Ha-atzmaut.
The Rebbe loves Eretz Yisroel and every Yid more than anyone, and gave his whole life for Yidden and eretz Yisroel and the whole world, yet he was VERY CLEAR about the Rebbe’s stand on these matters.
MOSHIACH NOW!
and it is important that people understand that lives will be affected if chabad is seen as a zionist entity by those countries
This still has nothing to do with the reason with why it would not be ok to join these ceremonies, so why does he write this as a if it’s the reason
Thank you for everything you do!
In 1958 the Jewish community in Melbourne had a major celebration of the state’s tenth anniversary. There was enormous pressure on Lubavitch to participate, and the chairman of the board, who was himself a zionist, insisted that they should. The Rebbe said under no circumstances. It didn’t matter how much pressure they were under, and how many people they would upset, he would not allow them to participate.
There was a year when the printer of the Lubavitch Calendar insisted on marking the date of Iyar 5, and told the Rebbe point blank that he would refuse to print it without that. The Rebbe told him that in that case Lubavitch would find another printer or do without a calendar. There was a Chabad event that took place at a venue whose address happened to be Rechov Ha’atzma’ut. When reviewing the souvenir brochure that was to be distributed at the event the Rebbe crossed out the venue’s address, because he didn’t want that word mentioned even just as… Read more »
respect a shlucha whom is moser nefesh literaly in middle of nowhere.
please post comments that is fitting the respect and love she deserves.
it easy for someone that lives in CH or elsewhere to make statements, no so easy living in Nepal, Please have that in mind when posting comments.
we love the rebbes shluchim. a Big shout-out to the lifshits for everything they do! We love and Respect you!!!
She does great work. This doesn’t mean a blanket approval of all actions, to anyone. I haven’t seen one poster saying that she’s anything but a great person who helps thousands a year. This is about what the Rebbe demands of anyone representing the Rebbe’s views. We all fall short and when there’s a public acquiescence to secular forces it’s our job to decry that while still recognizing the value, goodness and honor of the person.
Please donate to Chabbad Nepal and support them!
Okay. So it was a small mistake. Glad she corrected it, respectfully.
The rebbe wrote in letter that the only reason he could find for the attacks in ertz yisrael is the fact that yiden are saying that the state of israel is the beginning of the redemption
This story is a big Kidush shem lubavitch and the rebbe and no damage can possibly come from listening to the rebbe
Can all the negative opinions just stop . Whatever happens was bashert . The fact that she was asked is a huge honour and she deserves it … I saw their life first hand incredible is an understatement !! We love you guys !
From sydney 🙂
The Rebbe is the “Baal haboss” in Lubavitch. Every chossid needs to remember this and act upon this. By nature of what a “shliach” means, a shliach needs to be extra careful of not deciding these type of matters by themselves. This participation of a ceremony was to be done in very public way, and the response of the shlucha of her not participating was posted in a public way, and in a way that lends itself to believe that the shlucha is not in full agreement of what was asked of her. This does not take away from the… Read more »
When I saw this page it prompted me to donate to a worthy cause and worthy Shluchim.
https://chabadnepal.com/donate/
when the Rebbe viited camp gan yisroe in Ellenville, there were two very small Mogen Dovids on the two sides of the stage. The Rebbe made with his hand so to say, what is this doing here, and they were quickly removed.
Many of the younger Lubavitcher generation are not aware of the Rebbes opposition to anything related to secular Zionism, even something that in essence is holy but became their symbol.
I believe that the Choshuva Shlucha was not aware of the Rebbes fierce opposition and made an honest mistake in accepting.
I think her response, ” I may not have the honor of lighting a torch, but I have already received the greatest honor on this planet — a life of mission and mutual responsibility. There is no greater gift!” Will have a much greater impact and reach more deeply into peoples hearts than lighting the Torch. So maybe it was Hashgocha that it happend that way.
SO ZALMAN SHAZAR PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL WAS PERSONA NON GRATA AS HEAD OF THR ZIONIST STATE? YET HIS VISIT TO THE REBBE WAS KNOWN AND COVERED EXTENSIVELY IN THE MEDIA OF ANTI ISRAEL COUNTRIES THAT HAD SHLUCHIM THERE, AND BH NOTHING EVER HAPPENED TO THEM!
IT SEEMS A FORM OF BDS TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL…. THE REBBE DID NOT BOYCOTT SHAZAR SHARON OR BEGIN!