By Rabbi Yaacov Behrman
I recently read an op-ed written by my dear friend, Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, on Gimmel Tammuz, and I felt compelled to respond. It has been many years since I last wrote about this topic, but Rabbi Avtzon mentioned the importance of an open and honest conversation, which resonated with me. So let’s truly be open and honest.
I have some concerns regarding his article, starting from the very introduction. He begins by questioning why one should write about such a personal and sensitive topic. I am unclear why this topic should be considered personal or sensitive. The fact remains that the Rebbe passed away close to 30 years ago. This is an undeniable truth. Living as a Chassid without a living Rebbe is a reality that we all face, and there should be no shame in discussing it.
Rabbi Avtzon continues by stating that every yeshiva should have a specific agenda to instill in its students and emphasizes the dangers of uncertainty and confusion.
While I agree that open and honest conversations with students are necessary, I strongly disagree with the idea that a school or educator should have a predetermined agenda or that conflicting opinions among educators are problematic. I believe it is actually healthy for students to encounter different viewpoints, as what resonates with one student may not resonate with another. The world is complex, and we do not possess all the answers. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize honesty and truthfulness rather than promoting agenda driven theories that may not be true.
One lesson we have learned in the realm of drug prevention is to never lie or exaggerate to children. For instance, we should avoid stating that smoking will inevitably lead to cancer, as this falsehood erodes their trust in everything we say once they discover the truth. The same dangers apply here: if we insist that certain concepts are absolute facts and students later observe evidence to the contrary, they may begin questioning the entirety of their religious beliefs.
Rabbi Avtzon discusses the importance of talking about the Rebbe in current terms, stating that doing so will deeply impact the child’s (sub)consciousness. He emphasizes the need to inform youth that they can write their questions, concerns, and feelings to the Rebbe and receive answers from him today. According to him, witnessing the transformative effect when bochurim receive their first personal response from the Rebbe through the Igros Kodesh is indescribable, as it ignites their Neshoma and opens their hearts to internalize the teachings of Chassidus.
However, I find this approach to be both dishonest and counterproductive. As Chassidim, we believe that the Rebbe has the ability to provide answers. I share this belief. However, referring to a letter in the Igros as a “personal answer” is misleading. It is either an answer or it isn’t, and we won’t truly know until the arrival of Moshiach. It is certainly different from before Gimmel Tammuz when the Rebbe was alive, and you would receive an actual response specifically written and addressed to you. To be clear, this issue isn’t unique to Igros; the Derher recently published a book about answers after visiting the Ohel, which was equally problematic.
Teaching students that the experience will be the same as before and assuring them they will receive an answer is a falsehood, and as they grow older, they will almost certainly question it. Furthermore, due to this reason, the entire concept of receiving answers from Igros Kodesh is questionable, and I am unaware of the source of this custom among Chabad Chassidim. Moreover, the Rebbe had general viewpoints on certain matters but also made exceptions in specific cases. Would you really tell a student to follow a letter in Igros that seems to directly contradict a directive of the Rebbe during his lifetime? Obviously not. This further demonstrates the hypocrisy of such an approach.
The bottom line is that the Rebbe is no longer physically present as he was before; based on all accounts, we don’t see or hear him. No amount of lecturing or agenda-driven classes can alter this reality.
The Rebbe’s sichos clearly do not address a Gimmel Tammuz situation, no matter how they are interpreted. It is impossible to study the Sichos from the late 80s and 90s and conclude that we would still be in Golus in 2023 without a living Rebbe. To suggest otherwise would be intellectually dishonest. As someone who was a child during those years, I remember exactly how I was taught to understand it back then. It is important to be honest with your students about this.
Chinuch should focus on teaching students Torah and Chassidus while instilling in them healthy behaviors. This is the only goal and Emes.
Therefore, when it comes to the Rebbe, you can share your beliefs, but it is crucial to make it clear that they are your personal beliefs and that you do not have all the answers. Some individuals may choose to follow your path, while others may opt for different paths.
You have built a beautiful Yeshiva in Cincinnati that I have visited and witnessed students learning and davining. Perhaps, during my next visit, you could allow me to share my thoughts with the students. Together, we can demonstrate that we can be friends, respect each other, and strongly disagree.
Glad to read a sensible article about this. Not one that says “going to the ohel and the Rebbe physically here are equally possible at the same time”
The rebbe said himself on multiple occasions that the frierdiker Rebbe is alive in a physical body, yet the Rebbe visited the Ohel of his Father-in-law. This seems to be an obvious oxymoron but the Rebbe is EMES and therefore we can be okay without understanding what exactly that means as it pertains to the Rebbe as well. Lchaim
Where did the Rebbe talk about the previous Rebbe being alive in a physical body? He said he is alive in Gashmiyus meaning in the physical world, but I don’t recall any sicha that says he is alive in his Physical body.
If you read Rabbi Avtzons article it said exactly that – the Rebbe is physically here.
THE REBBE CAN BE WHEREEVER HE WANTS
This article makes me really cry. As if someone that calls himself a chabad chassid could speak and say such ‘low’ words. The good thing about this is though, i feel I’m that person that is Jewish but didn’t want to put on tefilin, until people start speaking bad about Jews then i feel i need to be a proud Jew. This article makes me feel the need to be much more a ‘meshichist’, because otherwise all the fear of ‘how is the world going to look at me’ is going to make people totally stop believing that the Rebbe… Read more »
It’s written there black and white clearly that there has to be a physical Moshe in every generation, so sharing the words of the Rebbe as they are is being honest, the torah decides the mitzus of the world not the opposite, also בנוגע to your point about the sichos the Rebbe prepared us for all situations and for sure that the sichos of5751-52 are more applicable now than ever!
I’m not sure why this response is being published since the author might not have the credentials to discuss this topic. However there is valid point in the article pertaining to the mishmash of physical facts and emuna facts. If a Mechanech believes that Torah wants us to believe something that cannot be relatable on a physical level then it should be explained that this a emuna that we have, which is a strongest anchor, our entire existence is based on faith. Much of the confusion is when we don’t explain ourselves properly.
That’s why there is a booklet אמונה בלי פשרות in Hebrew, and חי וקיים that was printed actually from the the yeshiva in Cincinnati it has all the sources i would highly recommend both booklets.
Bh
Dear Rabbi Behrman,
You are so correct. You wrote right down to the point. Rabbi Avtzon might have an opinion but that all it is an opinion. It is not a fact. Please continue writing your words of wisdom and sharing them with the entire community.
We all want moshiach an to be together with our Rebbe now.
I agree with Yaakov Behrmans points. I see the reality of “getting an answer from the Rebbe” as totally not the way it is. Yes there are some who do get it but that is not the majority who have no story to write.
Try it out and you’ll have a story to write (talking from experience)
Bravo! Well done!
I can see where Rabbi Behrman is going with this….. So let me share my logical deduction. The Rebbe set certain things clear…and others not. However in his painful sicha of 28 Nisan….the Rebbe said that he did all he can …now he gives the job to us. If I understand correctly…what the Rebbe did and said as a Rebbe is not necessarily what we should do and say……We have to do what to do the clear matters the Rebbe instructed…the rest is assumptions and suggestions which may not be the Rebbe’,s Ratzon…….let us be truly honest……and personally the Moshich… Read more »
a shame that this response is coming from a lay person, not a rov or mashpia.
קבל את האמת ממי שאומרו…
Your comment is kind of…
because NO mashpia or Rov would EVER write such nasty words
I challenge you to prove me wrong
And you don’t find a rav or mashpia who thinks like this today, that’s why
Maybe the reason that no Mashpia talks like this is because they learned the Sichos of 5710, unlike this balabos who clearly didn’t.
The problem is that people that don’t know the sichos, shouldn’t write their opinions. Berman, I’m happy you have an opinion. But did you learn the rebbe’s sichos about this topic?
Read the prefece to the derher book and you’ll see what the rebbe said on the matter!
Nebach on the writer of this article. What does it mean, the words the Torah uses יעקב אבינו לא מת Yaakov, our forefather did not die?! The Torah mentions that Yaakov instructed his children, he drew his feet together, he breathed his last and was gathered unto his people and was embalmed as well. This seems to contradict what it says that Yaakov Aveenu lo Meis? He did NOT DIE. His body entered a state of deep slumber only RESEMBLING DEATH! What about דוד מלך ישראל חי וקיים. Dovid Hamelech is living and is existing! And you know what? Dovid… Read more »
There is no source that states that yaakov avinu is still walking around the streets of chevron. Period.
Indeed, there is no source that Yaakov is walking around. This is probably why Oy Vey! didn’t write that.
The source for what Oy Vey! DID write is in Taanis 5b (see Rashi also).
Also quoted many times by the Rebbe.
Now read Rashi, Taanis 5b: לא מת – אלא חי הוא לעולם, and סבורים היו שמת. Does that mean that he was “still walking around the streets of Chevron”? No, and one would hope that you have more respect for the Gemara and Rashi to attribute that to them.
The point of the original article was that there are different levels within gashmiyus itself. Much the same way as Gan Eden where Adam and Chava lived was a real physical place, yet you won’t find it on Google Maps.
I don’t think such a claim was made. No source needed
It’s that easy … draw your conclusion AFTER YOU learn the sichas …
met·a·phor·i·cal
/ˌmedəˈfôrək(ə)l/
adjective
characteristic of or relating to metaphor; figurative.
יחי אדונינו מורינו ורבינו מלך המשיח לעולם ועד
I dont know how far the accusation tone will get rabbi berhman but I’m seeing and realizing Igors Kodesh is being less taught what it’s meant to be and how its suppose to be done and why is a “lottery book” telling me what to do. I suggest rabbi avtzon perhaps write a OP-ed to even shluchim kids who dont know what it’s really all about. And yes I said LUBAVITCH shluchim kids! Now to rabbi Berhman: following the Rebbes instructions by pan was done before gimmel tammuz. Just like There is a difference of opinion of yechi – certain… Read more »
Should we continue saying Tehilim for the Rebbe’s recovery like we did in 5752-5754? Obviously not, as circumstances have changed. Similarly it is inappropriate to sing a wish for long life after the Rebbe’s passing. It does nothing to add in hiskashrus and all it does is confuse our youth. Hiskashrus, Chassidus Chabad and Yiddishkeit all have to be based on a strong rational foundation and rooted in Shulchan Aruch, all the magical thinking and twisting words of Yechi from their literall context will only serve to distance our future generations from our roots. Thankfully there are many beautiful projects… Read more »
Why should we “obviously” not continue saying Tehilim? Has the situation improved?
Who twisted Yechi from its original context? Chassidim? No. The Rebbe.
When the Rebbe instructed the chassidim to proclaim yechi, the chassidim understood this to mean that he should continue having a long life.
The Rebbe corrected this (in his holy handwriting) and wrote that “Yechi” is asking for the Rebbe/Moshiach to COME BACK to life with techiyas hameisim.
See the sicha of beis nissan 5748. The handwritten edits can be found on Mafteach App.
The words resting in the dust were not published in the Mugeh Sicha…
What does “Zol gezunt zein”?
In its literal context, it is used for a live person, wishing him “may he be well”.
However, when a chossid used this term after Yud Shevat 5710, the Rebbe was pleased, and said a sicha (on ROSH CHODESH SIVAN — hashgacha protis! — 5710) explaining how the term could also be used for a tzaddik after his (physical) death.
According to this ,you don’t really have to be hyped about Moshiach coming… There’s no real source in halacha, just believe in the idea and you’re good..
But no. If you’re a lubavitcher chossid, you’d get excited from what the Rebbe was excited about, be passionate about what the Rebbe was passionate about, and live for what the Rebbe lived for.
And only because you resonate with your OWN inborn Moshiach spark do you recognize the truth in the Rebbe’s Torah teachings!
רמב”ם – אני מאמין
It says there that because it is 68 – חיים years of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s nesius, that is why Yechi should be said, and obviously it was after the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe
I don’t know what the Rebbe knew and didn’t know and neither do you. While I assume he knew he was going to die, כדרך כל הארץ, maybe he thought moshiach would be here first, who knows. One thing is clear is that he absolutely did not give clear directions at all, which is why we’re having this discussion to begin with.
He did.
We just have to learn them. The same way we learn about anything else the Rebbe taught us.
All confusion stems from ignorance on the matter which is a direct result of the failure of our education systems.
You are telling us what the Rebbe said or didn’t say.
Random question:
How often do you learn the Rebbe’s Sichos?
” opinions among educators are problematic. I believe it is actually healthy for students to encounter different viewpoints, as what resonates with one student may not resonate with another.” It is so important that institutions internalize that all the talmidim have a spark in them that needs to be revealed. When choosing bachurim for the year, create a group that complements each other with different strengths, so they can reach different types of talmidim in different ways. Every child is precious and a one sized fits all approach to chassidus is not beneficial for the talmidim and chassidus as a… Read more »
OY VAY to us if we start taking chinuch advice from political activist’s instead of our mechanchim!
Well said!
I don’t agree with this authors opinions, but I agree with his refreshing honesty and pragmatism, but the previous article has me frustrated that it spoke of truth, yet seems to be hiding so much. You can make statements as facts that don’t have their clear explanations there. They may be true, but they must be well explained. Thus is the beauty of thousands of pages of Gemara, poskim and sichos. Nothing is not to be opened and addressed for fear of exposure. It must be wholly processed. No head in the sand. So Mr. Behrman is looking for answers… Read more »
“The Rebbe’s sichos clearly do not address a Gimmel Tammuz situation, no matter how they are interpreted”
Really? Please teach us this sicha in a way that doesn’t directly address a gimmel tamuz situation. What does the Rebbe mean when he says cheshbono shel oilem? Why does the Rebbe share with us an- until then secret – story of a (chutzpadik) Chosid asking the Tzemach Tzedek what will be after the Tzamach Tzedek passes? There is no multiple interpretations of this sicha the does not lead to outright distorting the Rebbe’s words.
https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/sichoskodesh_cdo/year/5748/month/12/day/3/cat//x/35/y/15
Actually that is a distortion of the Rebbes words , the real title of the sicha should be דוד מלך ישראל חי וקיים , please listen carefully to the sicha
No better example than this. He means well.
OY VAY to us if we start taking chinuch advice from political activist’s instead of our mechanchim!
I remember about 16 years ago, I heard you mockingly talk about how everyone will be thrown out of 770 and it will be turned into a parking lot for the Jewish Children’s Museum. I’m sure you mean well and have very good intentions, But when it comes to a Lubavitch Hashkofa you clearly are confused, coming from all perspectives of chabad. I’m not going to address you entire article, but it reminds me of the Communist teacher that asked her class … “Do you see a table?”.. “Yes” they replied “Good therefor it exists… ” she replied “Do you… Read more »
The Rebbe wrote clearly that those that hold on strong on the קלאמקע (letterly the door handle) the Rebbe will find a way to answer them this can be (not limited to but including) Igros And going to the Ohel. The real issue is that the whole idea of a living Rebbe is a Rebbe that will address my questions and concerns and give me Brochos etc. Is wrong in its base. True the rebbe does do all that. However that is not what a Rebbe is. Let’s go back to basics. The Rebbe is not (only) alive, the Rebbe… Read more »
Let’s leave community work to the askonim , and spiritual things to mashpiyum and rabonim. Stay in your lane.
Disappointed with this article as a response to the previous one.
What this author writes is the source of confusion for today’s youth. The youth need to be given clear direction, not to have mechanchim/ mashpiim having different viewpoints. The message has to be clear united and unwavering, then you have strong unwavering youth/bochrim – in their yiddishkeit chassidishkeit and hiskashrus , with Hashems help!
-From a mother who sees..
I’m very saddened to read the points about getting answers from the איגרות קודש
Many many people from all over the world write, many get amazing answers and directions, inspiration .
To plant doubts about the writing is wrong, because not getting an answer is also an answer,
The best example is the story about a non believer that put a blank page in a valium ofאיגרות קודש and opening the seffer to a misprint a blank page
The Rebbe wrote that if you GO TO THE OHEL and believe the Rebbe will answer you the Rebbe will find a way to answer. It might be in Igros but there is no reason to say specifically there especially that the Rebbe said many times that what he writes to someone is not for everyone.
As someone who was born way after gimmul tamuz, I find this article extremely sad.
The rebbe has answered me and shown me that he is my rebbe, countless times through the Igros and through visiting the ohel.
What you intend to make clear from this article is pessimistic and will not help post gimmul tamuz babies with their hishkashrus AT ALL.
R’ Behrman. Please explain your description of an “AGENDA”. Do you have an “AGENDA”? Does the Rebbe have an “AGENDA”? How about all the Rebbeim and the Baal Shem Tov? Moishe Rabbeinu? Hashem?
You’re inserting that word more than once in your diatribe makes your article just that – DIATRIBE.
Help families find cheaper places to live, fix lefferts park….
Perfectly said. Find me one person who studied the rebbe’s teachings before Gimmul Tammuz and based on that predicted the current reality and I will say Yechi 100 times a day.
…find me one person who studied Sefer Daniel and based on that predicted that we would still be in galus in 5783. Does that mean that Daniel wasn’t told at all when the galus will end?
I do have to agree with you. No body can say that they fully understand the Sichas and how they can be interpreted, because no one could have predicted the state we are in now based on the Sichas.
1. The rebbe didn’t even say “not alive” about the freidiker rebbe. The rebbe explains that he is even more alive than before. (See sicha of 12 and 15 Tammuz 5745). You kind of sound like Barry Gurary
2. What you that the rebbe dosnt clearly our situation, that’s not true . See sicha 2 Adar 5748 ( printed at the end of Toras Menache 5748 vol. 4)
3. When the rebbe says he will find a way to answer you he probably ment what he said
.לך ודבר עם אדם שכזה, הטוען שהרבי נמצא כבר שלושים וחמש שנה בעולם האמת! הוא בעצמו השתתף ב”לוויה”!… וא”כ, מה אתם מזכירים אותו בעולם הזה הגשמי (אלא אם כן ניתן להרויח עוד כסף ע”י הזכרת שמו…) – הרי הוא נמצא מזמן בעולם האמת, ברוחניות! אדם שאין לו מושג אלא בגשמיות ובחומריות, וכל דבר נמדד אצלו רק לפי מה שעיניו רואות וחושיו הגשמיים קולטים, הוא מודד כל דבר רק בדולרים שאפשר להפקידם ב”בנק”… הרבי חי (“דער רבי לעבט”) בגשמיות בעולם הזה הגשמי והחומרי שלושים וחמש שנה, ובכל רגע ורגע מהם הוא מתחזק ונעשה יותר בריא, יותר רענן ויותר חי (“נאך מערער… Read more »
Half the comments here shows that you literally never opens a toras menachem!!!!!!!!!!!
Learn Divrei Moshiach!
Yaakov Berman first Read learn The Rebbe’s Sichos especially those of 5751-52 Yes a specific agenda may not be good.Hpwever change the word agenda to goal. Why not teach the students the truth what The Rebbe actually said what he expects of us etc? Also make sure students see understand the physical realities 8n front of us. They should be able in the end not just to see both sides not just acceptance of the other’s opinions in a respectful way.They should and need to be able to show How saying Believing knowing that the Rebbe is still alive That… Read more »
This could probably be printed as a new op-ed as a response to this one..
Could maybe use some editing first though
Paternal lineage? The Tzemach Tzedek’s father?
If I am not mistaken the Rebbe told R Hirshel Feigelshtok that that’s what it is.
so if you want to say the Rebbe is not with us. you hold the same of Moshe Rabeinu? Then why are you even keeping mitzvos? im assuming you say dovid melech yisroel chai vkayam ( unless you want that abolished also?? is that a lie?? you are writing feelings
The article sounds very logical – too logical! And very slippery slope to Kfira Mamash We’re Chassidim and one thing that is at the core of who we are is an untouchable Emuna in our Rebbe. The Rabeim, starting from the Bal Shem Tov, praised the Poshuter Yid for literally this reason. This is a very important (if not the most important) idea to covey to our children. One can have doubts or not understand, but to make anything we can’t grasp into a problem is Poshut Amalek! Read what the Rebbe said after Yud Shvat: that nothing changed and… Read more »
קבל האמת ממי שאמרו!
Close to 30 years ago…
The way you throw a number so carelessly just shows how much you care.
To be exact 28 years 11 months and 28 days that we don’t see our Rebbe!!!
A great Chossid, Zushe Posner would count the days in pain (I had to do the math) but for him there was nothing more alive then the Rebbe, and that was his clear message to all his students.
The Rebbe you write of, probably never lived.
Reb Reuven Dunin once shared a story about a man in the theater who stubbornly refused to remove his large hat, despite repeated requests from those around him. He claimed it was against his beliefs. Eventually, one of the people being blocked by the hat took it off and threw it away. To their surprise, they noticed that the man had a large, ugly bald spot underneath. The man then said, “Mikarachat al taaseh shitah” – which means, “Don’t form an opinion based on a bald spot.” This story relates to us in the following way: the Rebbe told us… Read more »
the rebbe wrote ztsal on the frierdiker rebbe all this type of talk leads to alot of questionable issues that certainly dont put lubavitch in a good place and i heard the rebbe personallly say on simchastorah 5745 not to do anything that will turn people away from chasidus which this definitely did and we should be cleaning up our own act before preaching to klaal yisroel including tznius and not talking durind davening and learning etc that will be bring moshiach not screaming yechi like a bunch of lunatics reb yoel told me personally that yechi is pushing away… Read more »
The Rebbe was very pleased when chassidim wrote in panim shilta next to the freierdiker Rebbes name after 10 shevat. The letter is printed in the Igors kodesh by our Rebbe himself. Dont misled others, definitely not bringing Moshiach. Btw Rabbi Kahn was a Meshichist. So info is not true!
And you’ll see that there’s a vast difference between writing something internally and publicizing it to the outside world.
I once asked dr feldman about going to the ohel and then having answers to my problem. Dr feldman ‘s answer ” you have no idea of the power of the ohel” Dr feldman told me the rebbe was still sending him patients. One mother was desperate for a cure for her sick child so went to the ohel. She had never heard of dr feldman, but at the ohel she suddenly knew she had to take her child to dr feldman but had no idea who dr feldman was. She found dr feldman and dr feldman cured her child… Read more »
It’s very disturbing to see how people think that if things don’t make sense in their mind’s it can’t be true. One thing the Rebbe teaches us and Chassidus teaches us is that we live in a Oilem Sheker, and what we see and understand from logical perspective can be and usually is far from the Real reality of Toras Emes. True we are living in very confusing times, a time that was totally unexpected and in a sense uncalled for, but at the same time that is and has been the life of a Yid for Thousands of years,… Read more »
We are facing enormous challenges and with all do respect To rabbi Avtzon He’s missing the boat
Maybe one thing we could take out of this whole discussion is a מעשה בפועל, a concrete step that we can take, maybe to start learning a small piece from the Rebbe’s Torah every day (Besides for on the parsha etc)
I feel sorry for all those who say ” I will ask the Rebbe and wait for his answer” These people are asking about serious and major issues that affect them, their spouses, and their children. It is a CHUTZPA in my opinion to say for certainty that the Rebbe will answer them at every question put in Igros. Many times, the Rebbe did not have answers to questions posed to him AND this was his answer, for whatever reason only the Rebbe knew. To have the “breitkeit” that he will open an Igros and just like that the Rebbe… Read more »
who said “that EVERY time one will receive an answer”
He quoted the Rebbe who said (about the previous Rebbe) the Rebbe will find a way to answer. And said that in those occasions when bochurim received answers it changed them.
Building a straw man to bolster your view is a true chutzpa
I know many people that have very serious issues they are dealing with.
So, they simply ask the Rebbe and open an Igros and find their answers and base their decisions on their interpretations of whatever page they open, claiming that the Rebbe told them so. fait accompli
That’s quite bold of you to say the Rebbe did not answers. It would seem you meant to write the Rebbe did not send back an answer or the like…
In order to see how we are supposd to relate to the Rebbe after Gimmel Tammuz, all one needs to do is see how the Rebbe related to his Rebbe, the friediker Rebbe after his histalkus. 2 things are clear 1) The Rebbe believed his Rebbe was still the Rebbe and 2) The Rebbe believed and openly proclaimed his belief that his Rebbe is Moshiach (Vhu Yigolenu). It does not take any particular amount of intelligence to apply the same approach in our circumstances, namely: 1) The Rebbe is still our Rebbe 2) The Rebbe is our righteous Moshiach. On… Read more »
“This is an undeniable truth. Living as a Chassid without a living Rebbe is a reality that we all face, and there should be no shame in discussing it.” This is a very understandable position. In fact this is essentially one of the two paths that Gershy outlined in the original post. You are reconciling the contradiction between the reality of gimul Tammuz and the reality of the rebbe being our current active nasi, by simply ignoring or denying the second reality. The problem with your argument is that it can be used to defend atheism as well. You could… Read more »
And if you want you can also discuss drug pervention but dont write about something you dont think about more than once a day
Everyone is looking for an answer from the Rebbe. We’re discussing whether or not he’s here, roaring factions are writing op-eds, the list goes on. The fact that these conversations are happening, without the mention of HaShem is troubling. People run back and forth to the Ohel, or Gan Eden Hatachton, davening TO the Rebbe. This isn’t Judaism. I daven to HaShem and HaShem alone. I ask HaShem for answers, not a book of letters. Of course, on occasion, I ask the Rebbe to arouse mercy on my behalf. We all know what kind of Goyim daven to a person… Read more »
When I was new to chabad, I heard this accusation.
It shook me but thankfully I remained for a bit and discovered how chasidus teaches connect to Rebbe only because he puts himself aside completely for Gd.
We stick to the Rebbe to learn how to live that ourselves.
How can we know the feeling of how people Daven when they are at the Ohel or Gan Eden Hatachton? Using an example of the content of an online conversation to prove what is going on in someone’s heart and mind is insufficient.
If you have not yet learnt what a Rebbe is (from the Rebbe’s sichos etc) and therefore do not appreciate what is going on, it is highly recommended to do so. Highly enhances ones life. (not just when in need of a blessing)
No one Davens to the Rebbe.
Hashem sent the Rebbe to this earth to give us direction (which has been the job of neviim for thousands of years. See Rambam yesodei hatorah) so we look to him for direction at every step of the road
When Rabbi Avtzon mentioned “agenda,” I think he meant that a yeshiva should have a derech in how they go about teaching hiskashrus. He could have used a different word which would have been better. Still, from his content, it seems that he was not saying what “agenda” one should have but rather that a yeshivah should have an identity in giving a bochur some clarity to something sensitive.
I am post gimmel tamuz yungerman and I love this op-ed. It inspired me, as it made me feel included, like I belong. It made me feel empowered with the knowledge that being honest is not a contradiction to being a chossid. Thank you, Reb Yakov, for being brave and honest.
Me borah eileh…
Who created you?
Are you a mashpieh or a Rov, qualified to give such deep opinions.
I definitely am not.
Rabbi Avtzon at least runs a Yeshiva and is in the Chinuch world..
My connection to my Rebbe is mine
Writing to the Rebbe and receiving answers is literally a lifeline for me – I could say statistically most poeple with my personality and my background could have fell deeply through the cracks – I used to share more than recently but I would literally just pour out my heart every week and I kept on getting answers about keep on writing my diary in
And I have many more stories
Not everything in life is so cut and simple – I’m greatful that I have this approtunity to have this connection
Simply phenomenal.
I love his perspective on lying and exaggeration, and as other comments have pointed out, stating opinions as fact, too.
All of the above only erodes one’s credibility, especially over time.
Keep up the great op-eds!
I am taking issue with the following sentence: “The Rebbe’s sichos clearly do not address a Gimmel Tammuz situation, no matter how they are interpreted”. Actually, the Rebbe DID address a post Gimmel Tammuz situation VERY clearly and directly. On 2 Adar 5748 after the conclusion of the Shiva of the Rebetzin, the Rebbe said a whole Sicha addressing בואו ונחשוב חשבונו של עולם (a halachic term used for adressing after life matters) and the Rebbe gave VERY CLEAR instructions about how to proceed after Gimmel Tammuz. It is quite amazing to me the lack of awareness of this one… Read more »
I would like to see an Op-ed of someone that is well versed in all of the rebbes sichos, you can’t have an opinion about something you’re not educated about.
very painful to read such words and descriptions the author attributes to the Rebbe, something I’d expect from a misnaged, not a chossid, especially one who considers himself a spokesman/macher for lubavitch (at least in some form). Even if your feelings are that the Rebbe is a simple bosor v’dom and died in 1994 halachically you shouldn’t even word it that way (I forget the source of this halacha (perhaps Gemara Sanhedrin?!) you should use words such as no longer with us begashmiyus not ‘dead’ etc. Regarding Igros, it is a quintessential belief of every chossid, that just like thre… Read more »
How do you know what the Rebbe is writing to you? Also if I am not mistaken the Rebbe said many times about the Frierdiker Rebbe vhokitzu… vhu btoichom/broishom
There are facts. Chasidim in Russia whose whole being was smarter, more sensitive and more mekushar than we have ever been, made decisions of life or ch”v the opposite based on a fold in the Rebbe’s Tanya, when the folds gave contradictory answers to different people and the Rebbe asked the person who was sent (and disturbed that anyone would take this as an answer) if the chasidim saw the folds (knaichen). Another fact is that in times of need people have gotten miraculous answer from the Rebbe, most often (but not only through) Igros Kodesh. Reb Volf would explain… Read more »