By COLlive reporter
A lengthy quote about leadership from the Lubavitcher Rebbe that controversial U.S. political commentator Glenn Beck read on his talk radio show has caught many Lubavitchers by surprise.
Beck, a high profile Conservative figure, used the Rebbe’s words printed in the book “Towards A Meaningful Life” to prove the lack of leadership in Washington, DC.
So how did Beck get a hold of the book? COLlive.com found out.
On Thursday night, August 25, Beck and Rabbi Simon Jacobson – both based in the US – happened to be in Capetown, South Africa, in what turned to be a “purely providential meeting,” according to Jacobson.
Beck had just ended his headline-making events in Israel and was in Capetown for a lecture at the exquisite Gardens Shul – the oldest Synagogue in all of South Africa – voicing his unwavering support of Israel and the “chosen people,” in his words.
Jacobson, a best-selling author and noted lecturer, was there on a 2-week lecture tour at the Limmud Conference, beginning in Johannesburg, continuing in Durban, and concluding in Capetown, during which he delivered close to 20 lectures to around 2,000 Jews.
Prior to Beck’s lecture, Gardens Shul’s Rabbi Osher Feldman, one of the youngest rabbis ever to hold such a prominent position, invited Jacobson to present Beck with his book “Towards a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.”
“We immediately began a warm and cheerful rapport and I introduced myself as an American who came all the way to Capetown to hear Beck,” Rabbi Jacobson told COLlive.
“Beck smiled and said he highly doubts that.”
As he signed and personalized the book, Jacobson told Beck it contains the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, addressing the Divine principles upon which the United States was founded — the belief in G-d and the inalienable rights He gave every human being.
“I told him that I thought that he would find the ideas in the book extremely inspiring in the battle to restore faith in the ‘eye that sees and ear that hears,’ the bedrock of all morality.”
Jacobson said Beck was visibly moved by receiving the book, and was intently looking at the back cover as he made his way to the podium, which stated: “Words from the heart enter the heart.”
Not long later, Beck went to on to cite passages of the acclaimed book in his radio show and on his blog, that reaches millions of people.
oshie ,at least i could see a pic off you
You must have few friends so u dont recognize any-Beck is not looking to make anyone Christian except the christians. He just wants people to go to their faith and thats about it.He is conservative and calls it like it is.In your little mind, Id worry about Obama and what hes doing to Israel than Glenn B.
Keep up the good work Oshy and Sara, we are so proud of you!!! and miss you here down under!
Our favorite Rabbi
forget the kipah!! Glen Beck is not who you think he is…..he only uses us to further his own cause/show…..he couldn’t care less about us Jews….and to #10….you are absolutely right..
As someone who grew up in Cape Town (notice the spelling ed) to have Beck in the Gardens shul is the oddest most amazing thing I have heard in a long time. Oshy is doing an amazing job there, because when I grew up in that place, they had more sefer Torahs than mispallilim. B”H the Rebbes brocha continues SA will be good and when Moshiach comes it will be even better.
I hope no one plans on eating their yarmulke.
i agree whole heartedly with #10. look at the company Beck keeps and takes with him. Rev Hagee who has a christain cable network working 24/7 in israel FOR FREE!! beaming into may unsuspecting Israeli homes. he sends 10-15 million dollars a years to Israeli neighborhoods Pastor Evans admits his mom is a Jewess and he works for Jews for J. DONT BE FOOLED. WE ARE IN THE TIMES OF MOSHIACH. DO YOUR RESEARCH LOOK THEM UP ON THE INTERENET. YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. !! on the other hand look at Jon Voigts friends. I… Read more »
No one was suggesting that we need Beck to “endorse” the Rebbe C”V. It’s just of interest to Lubavitcher’s that the Rebbe’s message was broadcast to over 9 million people. Interesting. Nothing more.
Oshy you are the best!!!!!!
Chessed Lumos Chatos.
Beck is using the book and his tours to Israel for missionary purposes. He “loves” Israel, but every time he comes back, makes derogatory comments against Jews or Halacha.
It is sad that we jump on every endorsement without checking out the endorser.
According to Talkers Magazine (which tracks talk radio audiences), the Glenn Beck show has over 9 Million listeners (as of July 8, 2011). Look it up if you’d like. http://www.talkers.com/category/top-talk-audiences/
What hasgacha protis! Hafatzas hamayonos! Moshiach Now!!!
there is absolutely no difference in kashrus wise between this yarmulke and any other one that any Jew wears.
he has thousand and thousand listeners even after he left fox! research a drop more about him!
a yarmulke is a yarmulke!
Can you please tell where does the shulchan aruch talk about what is kosher for a yarmulke and what is not kosher. In which siman in shulchan aruch does it discuss the size , material, color etc. of a yarmulke?
so ch men wear “unkosher” or “goyishe” Yarmulkas?
at least he is wearing a kosher yarmulke unlike most of ch men….
Nice story except he maybe has 10 people listening. he should of stayed with fox