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Tuesday, 16 Shevat, 5786
  |  February 3, 2026

Rabbi Kotler Dismisses Lubavitch

Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Malkiel Kotler didn't bother hiding his hatred towards Lubavitch and found himself at odds with the Satmar Rebbe. Full Story

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lakewooder
May 9, 2012 3:06 pm

dont get insolted no1 in lakewood listens to wat he says

props to #89
May 8, 2012 12:00 am

great post. I think if we did this, if we truly learned and internalized, we would not need this internet convention circus or this post. If each community focused on teaching people how to internalize what they learned, moshiach would be here now.
the greatest legacy the rebbe left behind was his way of living, we dont talk about the negative, we do not say dead, just not alive.So perhaps we should focus on parenting and internalization of what we learn so that we can be better jews.

i bet this is not true
May 7, 2012 10:27 pm

u shouldnt post statements by people unless they are verified true. i doubt this exchange happened

all very entertaining....
May 7, 2012 5:00 pm

Assuming what was heard is true, I find this all very entertaining. We all tend to trash others as a way to avoid looking at ourselves. Chabad should take it as a compliment that the lakewooders (their leaders represent the people) are afraid to have Chabadnikers around. They find us threatening, but want to have everyone else there for their own hadras melech. The one looking regal is the Satmar Ruv, may he be blessed. My son goes to cheder with some lakewood kollel kids and they have a tremendous arrogance and look down at the non jewish teachers and… Read more »

is it true?
May 6, 2012 2:23 pm

whether it’s true or not makes no difference. the idea is why do we use technology to destroy us when the Rebbe had told us that the Ribboinoi shel Olam had given our generation the chuchma of technology to elevate us in avodas Hashem. It gives us a better understanding that there is an eye that sees, an ear that hears and EVERYTHING gets recorded up on high.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
May 6, 2012 12:16 pm

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY…LET ME ENLIGHTEN YOU ABOUT THE KOTLERS AND HIS FATHER ARON KOTLER..

IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT THE WHEN CHABAD BOCHURIM WERE STRANDED DURING THE WAR HE MADE SURE NOT ONE PENNY WENT TO SAVE THEIR LIVES…THIS CAUSED THE FRIEDIKER REBBE SO MUCH AGMUS NEFESH THAT HE REFUSED AND THE REBBE REFUSED TO SEE HIM WHEN HE TRIED TO ARRANGE A MEETING…..

THINGS LIKE THIS SHOULDNT BE PUBLICIZED
May 6, 2012 11:49 am

FANNING THE FLAMES OF SINAS CHINUM IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE WHO PUT ON RABBENU TAM TEFILLIN SHOULD DO ,,
AND BESIDES WE SHOULDNT BE AT AN ANTI INTERNET ASIFA WASTING OUR TIME ANYWAY
WHEN WE ARE IN THE TRENCHES DEALING ONE ON ONE BEING A TRUE REPRESENTATIVE OF BRING KLAL YISROEL TOEGTHER WITH LOVE AS THE REBBE
CONSTANTLY TAUGHT EXPOUNDIND AND MULTIPLYING WHAT HASHEM HAS TAUGHT US THROUGH HIS HOLY TORAH

to # 21
May 6, 2012 2:28 am

” no way he said that in public.” so your saying IN PRIVET HE WOULD ?

Responding to #6
May 6, 2012 1:22 am

R. Aaron Kotler and Malkiel Kotler are two very different types of people. The former is a friend, the latter….

Lived in Lakewood 18 years
May 4, 2012 5:49 pm

I doubt this “really” hapenned as reported. As Lubavitchers let us do what we do and stay away from what “might” or ” might” not have been said. Lots of work to do. Chassidim are Chassidim because we don’t need the accolades. This story can only impact someone if they choose to validate it.

Boruch N. Hoffinger BS"D
May 4, 2012 5:11 pm

Regarding ‘The Internet’ Ban…
Of course filters help but I have a suggestion.
Follow my path. I find news articles and comment with material about ‘The 7 Noahide Laws.’
Spreading light and joy amongst the non-Jews helps us to overcome our ‘yetzer.’

Boruch N. Hoffinger BS"D
May 4, 2012 5:07 pm

Dear #72
“… The situation may be different privately among themselves, but at least they stopped publicizing it openly. The belief that Mashiach is in the embodiment of a deceased person is definitely assur and our mosdos must convey this issur to students as part of their education…”
It’s very clear Rabbi Malkiel Kotler doesn’t KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT…the concept that ‘Moshiach’ could come from ‘the dead’ is a basic idea in Judaism.
‘Am Haaretz’
Rabbi

Boruch N. Hoffinger BS"D
May 4, 2012 5:01 pm

Dear #14,
Rabbi Heller told me the ban was lifted years ago.

shlomo
May 4, 2012 3:24 pm

this man simple don’t understood what he do? if he understood they newer say this! such tremendous gift to modern Lubavitcher. it only hasidus, that named tzvaa, and hasid- is hayal. so how we can exist w/o real enemy? even that Rebe say, that it no misnagdim now. first thing that people learn in header. we are so important that we have enemy! not because we study and pray better,and do mivtzoim, as Rebe wish, but because we have enemy!!!!!
such dvash alhanefesh!
thank you reb kotler!

Miller and Belsky
May 4, 2012 1:38 pm

Let him quote the issur from poskim there is a befeireshe gemore in sanhedrin! The gemara all over talks about the greatness of the leaders of klal yisroel from Moshe on tanoim, amoroim etc but looks like the misnagdim skeap the hagadtes. But the hypocrecy is so big knowing how the misnagdim make their gedoilim ….

to 38
May 4, 2012 1:21 pm

hear hear!

Belsky is a nobody
May 4, 2012 1:09 pm

Nobody Ben Nobody. Don’t lose any sleep over him.

Rabbi Hirshprung Zal's Vort
May 4, 2012 11:39 am

“Talmidai Chachamim…… Marbim SHOLOM Biolam

Un az oib NISHT iz a siman az er iz NISHT a Talmid Chacham

to 72
May 4, 2012 11:34 am

wow even for $$$$$$$ remember the article in mishpacha 4 years ago. about Belsky’s opinion on Chabad. we must remember that if you are in yeshiva for so long you really dont know whats going on outside. but it leaves no room to speak negatively about another yid. quotes from mishpacha magazine How should the chareidi community react to phenomena such as Chabad and the wide publicity it engenders with its Mashiaeh campaigns periodically splashed across the non-Jewish radio and TV media? Rav Miller: There is both positive and negative in Chabad. Chabad in Toronto and worldwide are active in… Read more »

Need to know first hand
May 4, 2012 11:06 am

I’m not Lubavitch . But if Lubavich is not part of this affair then count me out .

LIVE WITNESS
May 4, 2012 9:14 am

I don’t know about this whole kotler episode. but I did personally have the experience recently where I saw an add for a shull wanting to give a way a Bimah, Aron Kodesh, bookcases, and various other shul furnishings. Thinking my son could benefit from these items in his chabad house, I called to inquire. I was asked what I would need these items for, and when I proudly responded that it was for my sons chabad house, the mans response was “SORRY, I ONLY DEAL WITH JEWS!!!” and promptly hung up on me. This took place NOW. not thirty… Read more »

opinon
May 4, 2012 8:54 am

“rabbi” kotler calls himself a rabbi haahahah lol and he dosnt even know wat jews are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wat kinda rabbi talks that way about other jews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

This is NEWS????
May 4, 2012 7:22 am

I get it from the “snags” at work. As unpleasant as it is, I know I make a Kiddush Lubavitch, I keep my dignity, and I know I have the Rebbe with me.

They aren’t worth spit. Interestingly, the one who makes the nastiest comments is an “altere maidele”, pushing 40. Maybe if she was less vitriolic & hateful, a nice man would want her.

Kamayim Haponim L'ponim...
May 4, 2012 7:19 am

What happened to what the Alter Rebbe says in Iggeres Hakodesh #2(Katointi)?!If we show Ahavas Chinom to them,Kamayim Haponim…

@ Pusheter Yid CLICK HERE AND READ MY COMMENTS >>>
May 4, 2012 4:52 am

I am used to reading all sorts of negative blogs/news which are gory, sad or sickening. I am not a lubavitcher, yet this article has brought be goosebumps and I almost puked! Such a chutzpa!!! In contrast, Reb Aharon of Stamar Shlita, has shown true leadership and has really gone out of his way to make amends with all past feudes (Belz, Lubavitch, Erlau etc…) and has done his utmost best to unite all frum communities. He is really moving forward to bring the new generation into a new era of Ahavas Yisrael (standing his ground on his ideology, but… Read more »

to #60, from yaakov g.
May 4, 2012 1:41 am

You sound like you need a reason to hate!
Quite a few commenters have raised the question of relying on a blogger whose blog is full of loshon hora and was “zocheh” to be quoted by failedmessiah.
This guy was not there, did not hear anything, but chose to anonymously cause a fight!
Btw, I was in Lakewood raising funds for the Rubashkin appeal and it has been an unbelievable source of suppport.
You have bechira to look for bad and be assured you will find it everywhere or focus on the good.Uvocharto bechaim

he is a true friend for us
May 4, 2012 12:41 am

the satmar rabbi got so close to chabad that i could say almost the must off all other chasidishe rabbis his chasidem donat mikves for r shkuchim he haves close ties with alot off shluchim realy nice off him

WITH AHAVAS YISROEL we will greet Moshiach
May 4, 2012 12:38 am

pls dont post loshon hara / motzei sheim ra / rechilus!!

True
May 4, 2012 12:23 am

Rabbi Malkiel Kotler is right,
WE ARE NOT PART OF HIS “KLAL YISROEL”
have you heard that “KLAL YISROEL” is making a simchah,
on August 21 called SIYUM HASHAS

R' Ahron a real ish shalom
May 3, 2012 11:35 pm

you can hear his chassidim singing 2 of the Rebbes negunim
@13:00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT0_bfxNoq0&feature=player_embedded#!

seriuosly why should anyone believe this when there is no reliable source?
May 3, 2012 10:53 pm
dichotomy
May 3, 2012 10:37 pm

internet is a problem
hatred is fine

maybe he should google “respect others”

Misnaged!
May 3, 2012 10:07 pm

I’ve heard people say there are no real Misnagdim today…

How can you explain that during Sfiras Haomer when we mourn the students of Rabbi Akiva who died because of “Lo Nohagu Kovoid Zeh Lozeh”, and when Yidden are trying to make more Achdus between Klal Yisroel, even this meeting was made in the name of Achdus, to make such dreadful statements about fellow Jews?

Unfortunately, there are real Misnagdim even today…

Interesting
May 3, 2012 10:04 pm

The interesting thing is, that not only does the Satmar Rebbe Daven in a Chabad House, but the Skulener Rebbe and the Viener Rov, who were also at this meeting, Daven in the same Chabad House.

Irony
May 3, 2012 9:05 pm

I think we should all take a lesson from the new Ya’alili cover which does not intend to offend Chassidim or Misnagdim…

And now that we’ve effectively used the Internet to spread Loshon Hora, let’s just move on and get on with our day.

To #34
May 3, 2012 8:52 pm

Did you say Erev Shabbos or Erev Yom Kippur?

opinions
May 3, 2012 8:51 pm

Malkiel K is wrong no matter how you phrase it. He has a history of his own!!!!

Just a Jew
May 3, 2012 8:46 pm

You are all pathetic. Stop wasting your time with this crap and wory about your kids who are leaving te path and going far far away. Tell your kids you love tem and teach them what is important. And this blog is stupid plain old stupid. You are a bunch of idiots who need jobs or a second job

hypocrite
May 3, 2012 8:08 pm

thats funny he did not hate lubavitch when gutnick gave him $250,000 or when gutnick became the largest supporter of the Lakewoo kolel in australia

Rebecca
May 3, 2012 8:08 pm

L-rd it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way
To know me is to love me
I must be a heck of a man
L-rd it’s hard to be humble but I’m doing the best that I can.

dont get it
May 3, 2012 8:01 pm

What?? you have a problem with those who put their entire lives on the line to help other jews!!?

To col
May 3, 2012 7:24 pm

Please don’t post such articles on your website. Remember our derech is focusing on lashon tov.

No 45 pathetic??!!
May 3, 2012 6:57 pm

With all due respect- if our Gedolim decide no internet then you wouldnt stop? Our parents in Russia sacrificed a lot more tough things for the kudusha of Klall Yisroel. We must follow our Rebbes as the Torah and the Rebbe said many many times even if we dont understand! May the zechus of our following in the Torahs ways bring Moshiach NOW MAMESH! And please dont respond with any insults re. these Rabonim- as I said WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW- so only answer with kovod HaTorah and respect to ALL part of klall Yisroel. Thanks

Sounds Fisy
May 3, 2012 6:48 pm

We’re supposed to believe an unconfirmed report from an anonymous blogger with supposed “inside information” about a private meeting of choshuve rabbonim.

To make it even better the blogger’s blog is filled with loshon hara and motzei shem ra about every group in klal yisroel, including us! All it does is rehash old fights that have been over for years, decades, and sometimes centures.

to 45
May 3, 2012 6:35 pm

good point.

it seems women arn’t invited cuz. they don’t have “da’as Torah”.
If you don’t learn Chassidus you dont have daas torah either.

as the saying goes if you have a shaila and there’s only a misnagid to ask, ask him and do the opposite.

Who cares?
May 3, 2012 6:28 pm

If, by no means assumed, he said this then who
Cares what he says?

Kovod Lubavitch
May 3, 2012 6:28 pm

Depends on Chassidim.

pathetic
May 3, 2012 6:24 pm

this whole ‘internet ban’ is pathetic. who is gonna actually stop going on the internet. and no women invited!! they make most of the home decisions anyways.
what a pathetic situation

rabbi kotler
May 3, 2012 6:23 pm

how shameful for a role model to others to behave in this way, he should have been embarased to speak in front of a rebbe like that..

Yossy H
May 3, 2012 6:16 pm

#37 Just note the people behind that protest also disrespect Chabad-Lubavitch they are mostly people who for many different reasons HATE ALL FRUM people so don’t advertise for them.

col
May 3, 2012 6:15 pm

Surprised COL will bring such trash to the public especially in the yemei hasfiro. I say trash bcs the source is a pashkvil.

why call him rabbi kotler he isnt worthy of title
May 3, 2012 6:10 pm

if you study lubavitch history the friedeke rebbe wouldnt even hear his family name after what his grandfather did to starve lubavitch bochrim in shanghai

he also has made critical remarks about lubavitch when he visited the lakewood kolel in north miami beach

this man is not worthy of a title except that of kennelkeeper of lakewood

and the reason lubavitch wouldnt support an asifa like this is you d not make takonas that the tzibbur cannot do and lubavitch philosophy is to work with the times and technology

oh common...
May 3, 2012 6:06 pm

to all of you complaining this is lashon hara…and its ok for this guy/rabbi to trash all of lubavitchers everywhere? how is that normal?

shocking!!
May 3, 2012 5:59 pm

I cant believe t hat after everything klall yisroel has been through that a respected Rabbi such as rabbi kotler would speak this way about chabad.
Havent we learned the hard way already that we must stand together?? we have enough enemies in the world.

True Blue Jew
May 3, 2012 5:37 pm

Who cares what Kotler thinks or says. The Satmar Rebbe, who has more Yiddishkeit in his left pinky nail than Kotler has in heart, esteems Lubavitch. Let Kotler seclude himself with contemporary Tzedokim (not Tzaddikim).

Anti Kotler Dictatorship Rally
May 3, 2012 5:13 pm
I'm disappointed
May 3, 2012 5:12 pm

This is pure motzi shem ra! It has no place on COL. And people are actually BELIEVING this?

Guess Who Wins?
May 3, 2012 5:11 pm

And the winner is……………..the original serpent who is having a great time spreading loshon horo and sowing discord between Jews through instantaneous and pervasive technology. Didn’t you ever wonder why the first PC company was called Apple???????????

Mikveh in Houston
May 3, 2012 5:11 pm

When R’ Malkiel Kotlar came to Houston, TX this past year he went to the Lubavitch Mikveh for a dip erev Shabbos.

Internet vs. Klal Isroel
May 3, 2012 5:09 pm

Right now Klal Isroel is not strong enough to win.

What is this???
May 3, 2012 4:33 pm

how is moshiach supposed to come when yiden talk lashon hara about other jews with each other??
WE’RE the bad ones? the unholy? this RABBI is speaking LASHON HARA with other jews!
if he’s considered a rabbi by his people-or others-i fear what’s to come toKllal Yisroel

No surprises
May 3, 2012 4:25 pm

there are no surprises here. Lets move on and do our avoda. the only reason we are learning about this is because we have internet access 🙂

what a shame
May 3, 2012 4:21 pm

no wonder Moshiach is not here yet

This information is not first hand
May 3, 2012 4:15 pm

BS”D This is all second hand information and even the given statements aren’t confirmed. The quote “Something like they’re not part of klal yisroel” is not a valid source of information and is Loshon Hara. (I am a Lubavitcher by the way.) Whatever it is, the Satmar Rebbe cares for our well being and I truly do love him for what he turned our relationship into in the past few years, hes an eimese Tzaddik. Who cares what people say anyway? We’re all trying to bring Moshiach, we gotta just keep trying to get all of us together. We should… Read more »

chabad of lakewood
May 3, 2012 4:08 pm

should make sure to do their chanukah parade around this guys house

NEVER FORGET
May 3, 2012 4:06 pm

Lo Meyhem Vlo Meyhamonom!

Mendle
May 3, 2012 3:56 pm

I really think this should not be posted. If someone is not religious we do anything to help them however wrong they behave and we certainly dont publicly rebuke them. EXACTLY the same way if someone behaves how we think is wrong, we should just feel sorry for them. We must certainly not cause machlokes in Kllal Yisroel. Moshiach NOW!

Are you sure
May 3, 2012 3:52 pm

I agree with #2, how does he know? Was he there?
You can see in writing( #6) that although I agree he is probably not a huge fan of Chabad, he nonetheless had the guts to praise them in Hamodea.
I have my doubts to the accuracy of this so called ‘blogger’

historian.
May 3, 2012 3:49 pm

this is just history repeating itself. without rehashing facts, those that remember vaad hatzolah after WW2, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

The apple doesent fall far from the tree
May 3, 2012 3:45 pm

His grandfather starved Lubavitcher bochurim to death in Shanghai during the second world.

its ok
May 3, 2012 3:37 pm

we probably wouldn’t agree with half the things they talk about at this event!

don't belive it
May 3, 2012 3:26 pm

This is a made up story… Show us the video! no way he said that in public. Stupid he is not.

ummm
May 3, 2012 3:13 pm

Were you guys there? How does anyone know what was really said? Was this blogger there? Sounds like he’s not so sure about what was said there–“According to the Lubavitch blogger Hirshel Tzig, Rabbi Kotler “said something like ‘they’re not part of Klal Yisroel’.” He said “something like” that? This is all heresay. Because one person said it, it makes it true?!

loshon hara and inaccurate
May 3, 2012 3:04 pm

First of all this is loshon hara about Rabbi Kotler. (It is known that already his father buried the hatchet long ago.) The halacha of loshon hara, which is today’s chitas, loi seilech rochil biamecha, applies also to websites and to people with the last name Kotler. Anyone reading this is obligated according to Torah not to believe it. Although this obligation is applicable whether or not we understand why, it is nice when we see maybe a glimpse of a reason. We all know that stories get mixed up as in the famous telephone game moshul. Especially when loshon… Read more »

Chabad of Lakewood
May 3, 2012 3:00 pm

I would be very impressed if someone who was AT that meeting said what happened, if someone interviewed Malkiel and asked him about a Chabad minion and how they teach the reason we are in mourning during sfira. I am neither agreeing or dis-agreeing, except to say that I can report anything about anyone if I a) Don’t care to speak with emes b) Don’t care to have ahavas Yisroel towards one who is unlike myself c) Want to extend machlokes rather than fix it. I have seen and heard far too much from both ends of the spectrum, but… Read more »

Bad opening
May 3, 2012 2:58 pm

The opening line of your article suggests that chabad wronged kotler, but we expect him to get over it.

Yemaie Hasfira
May 3, 2012 2:47 pm

I think that Rabbi Kotler does not count Sfira with a Bracha anymore……

The Pittsbugh Bochur
May 3, 2012 2:36 pm

Yesterday’s article regarding the Buchur who made a difference in the mans life while doing mitzaim is a true example of the real definition of CHESED. Every Rabbi of every sect. Should truly take a step back and remember the big message is. WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW! The bucher who stopped asked and listened to the mans broken heart is an example that will help every Jew in the world to bring the moshiach one drop closer! No more wasting time on articles of peoples ignorance and hostile attitudes. It only harbors more hatred from opposing sides. We should be… Read more »

Thank you stamar rebbe
May 3, 2012 2:32 pm

Satmar has made great strides in making ahavas yisroel a bedrock of their movement. They reconciled most of their fights including those with Lubavitch and the satmar bikkur cholim is legendary in NY for the ahavas chinam they have. No Lubavitcher rov would undo the rebbe’s ban on their shechitah due to their violence, but it is clear that they have turned a page and done teshuvah, so my personal opinion is if the Rebbe was alive b’gashmius and would witness the next generation of satmar’s achdus, the Rebbe would remove the ban. And please don’t cite their internal fights… Read more »

to #6
May 3, 2012 2:30 pm

That is his brother, the money man. He has to be good witth Lubavitch as we share many of the same significant donors. Malkiel, on the other hand, remains more popular among the “bnei Torah” by showing his animosity. Vhameivin yovin.

come on
May 3, 2012 2:28 pm

“he said something like”

Kol Hakovod!!!
May 3, 2012 2:23 pm

You can see that the Satmar Rebbe is a true manhig yisroel he also cares about other yidden who aren’t part of his kehila

Amazing
May 3, 2012 2:20 pm

It’s amazing how he quotes someone from bnei brak who decided that Chabad is out of klal yisroel-WOULD THEY ASK THAT SAME PERSON A BIG QUESTION IN HILCHOS SHABBOS ? OR IN PIKUACH NEFASHOS? NO!! HE WAS NOT A POISEK !!.BUT VERY EAGERLY LISTEN TO HIS “PSAK” WHEN IT COMES TO AN EVEN GREATER AND MORE GRAVE MATTER!. WHERE IS THE INTELLECTUAL HONESTY AND STANDARDS?! but they mock Chassidim for having too much “hergesh”. SHAME ON THEM!

not surprised
May 3, 2012 2:13 pm

sorry

OMG
May 3, 2012 2:10 pm

What did the Satmar Rebbe respond?

corection
May 3, 2012 2:09 pm

the satmar rebbe reminded rabbi kotler of a conversation they had a few years ago when kotler was amazed he davened in the chabad house while he (kotler) would rather daven beyechidus
said the satmar: you said that because you were mekabel it from your rebbe (from bnei brak) & youe zeide (r’ a kotler), well i was mekabel from my uncle the rebbe reb yoel that we do not attend events where yiddish is not the spoken language

Only for $$$$
May 3, 2012 2:09 pm

I guess he only likes Chabad when it comes to $$$, who remembers this story? https://collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=14227&hl=Malkiel+Kotler

Rochel Bas Chana
May 3, 2012 2:03 pm

Rachma litzlan!!
These kind of hateful words should never be spoken,
and COL should have not repeated.
Dont we have enough tzoros among klal yisroel
stop the cylce of sinna and do good.
Der Aibeshter knows the deepest thoughts of man.

Be mekarev them
May 3, 2012 1:59 pm

Pure Loshon Hora

Rabbi?
May 3, 2012 1:54 pm

Why call him Rabbi? A man of Machlokes is not deserving of such a title.

how does he know?
May 3, 2012 1:51 pm

With all respect to this blogger, are there reliable firsthand accounts verifying this is what happened?

we can look at this in posetive light
May 3, 2012 1:46 pm

just as Haman said about the yidden “vdoseyhem shinos mikol am” he ment it in a bad way yet we look at it in a good way and are proud to be unique!!

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