By Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie for COLlive.com
There is no question it felt good on an emotional level. Unveil a banner at a public event, comparing well known New York Times columnist Tom Friedman with Noam Chomsky and George Soros.
However, the protest at Yale by Rabbi Shmuly Hecht, well known for his passion and enthusiasm, was a grave mistake for a host of reasons.
The Chabad approach has always been, love the Jew and disagree with the ideas that were outside the mainstream of Jewish thought and tradition. To look deeper to find a common bond of understanding, teach, imbue and always hold Ahavas Yisroel as a central value. While others in the Orthodox world threw rocks, we looked too the Pintel Yid, to make connection, then teach and uplift.
The famed Litveshe Gadol, the Chazon Ish met with then Prime Minister David Ben Gurion in the early 50’s over the issue of drafting woman to the Israeli army.
Ben Gurion asked him why should he agree to his request to cancel the draft. The Chazon Ish replied, “we are like two wagons meeting on the road, mine is full with years of traditions, history and yours is empty, you need to move to the side.”
The Rebbe took a dramatically different approach. He never asked anyone to move aside for a triumphal orthodoxy. He met with Israeli leaders from across the spectrum. Respectfully disagreeing at times, seeking the common spiritual denominator with each. Patiently prodding them to move towards the teachings of Yiddiskiet and articulating to them the position of Halacha on issues such as Israeli security.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of those who the Rebbe invested much time and interest, giving him direction in life. As Netanyahu confided to a close friend privately some time ago, echoing his public sentiments, “the Rebbe gave me my mission in life.”
No question his present policies of supporting two states are a departure from the Rebbe’s viewpoint. Still the Rebbe attempted to inspire him in the right direction.
Second, Tom Friedman is not Chomsky or Soros. Chomsky and Soros seek to undermine the fundamental bond between the Jewish people and Eretz Hakodesh. Tom cares deeply about Jewish destiny, he cares about Israel. Unfortunately his ideas are those of the left that have failed time and again.
After the tragic assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin (another Israeli leader that the Rebbe attempted to influence in a positive way), Friedman wrote a harsh column in the New York Times criticizing the Orthodox community.
I called him, he responded harshly, I told him we have a common destiny and connection. I shared with him the fact that I was close friends with his Lubavitcher relatives. We spoke at length that day. With time the relationship evolved into ongoing conversation and debate about his views. Always with respect and menlickiet.
Today I emailed him saying that I felt what happened at Yale was wrong, that Shmuly should have debated him, not unfurled banners comparing him to Chomsky. He responded graciously.
The core issue is how we view and interact with other Jews. There is no question that if Israel followed Tom Friedman’s advice it would undermine its security. Still we will never influence him to moderate his views by embarrassing him.
Years ago the famed psychologist Rabbi Dr. Avraham Twerski came to the Rebbe from Pittsburgh. When asked why he, a person from a different Chassidic tradition would go to Lubavitch, he answered “in Pittsburgh I know a Chassid by the name of Rabbi Deren, a Chassidshe Yid. I wanted to see the tree that bore this fruit.”
As Lubavitchers – whether one is a Shliach or not – we carry the Rebbe’s name. We must always act with dignity and reflect those teachings wherever we go. When we fail to live up to those lofty standards, it not only reflects on us, but on the Rebbe and all of Chabad.
Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie is the Director of North County Chabad Center in Yorba Linda, California.
as if you know shmullies personality, talents, and abilities.
you make it sound as if you went to school with him.
and, how much do you know about yale???????????
… The question of giving away territory is not dependent on anything – not on receiving money for Yeshivos, receiving honor, or whether it will disturb Hafatzas Ha’Mayanos and Mivtzoim – the only question is: whether “the land will be easy for them to conquer”.
(Sicha of Shabbos Vayakhel-Pekudei 5740)
Protest publicly; perhaps it will help…! …At least some hope exists: If we cry out again and again, not “behind the scenes”, rather in public; they will see that we are not ashamed and we cry out, and we may even cry out on Election Day, – perhaps it will eventually accomplish something, and those responsible will correct their set of priorities: first and foremost, assure the peace and security of Jews and non-Jews who dwell in the land of Israel, and then to deal with other issues. (Sichas 19 Kislev 5743) When it hurts, we cry out whether it… Read more »
Dr Avraham Twersky is not a psychologist. He is an MD and precisely a psychiatrist. It helps to have accurate information when you are trying to put someone in their place…
Rabbi Shmully may not have made the best choice (and I agree a haircut is in order:), it’s possible at these events though one would not have any other opportunity except a banner to get one’s point across. On the other hand from what I’ve seen Rabbi Eliezrie seems to constantly be polically and diplomatically correct. Sometimes we must be strong and not cave to popular opinion. If you are a Chosid of the Rebbe you are not a “zionist” as he’s portrayed in the past but of course a lover of Eretz Hakodesh, there is a difference. There’d never… Read more »
If Rabbi Hecht would of asked the Rebbe if he should do this stunt what do you honestly believe would the answer be?Please compare and contrast the content of the comments of for and against Rabbi Hechts actions and you will see we are dealing with nebach 2 different types of groups.That is why Rabbi Hechts head shaliach and friends must set him straight for everyones goog.
It has bean reviled that the students joining rabbi Hecht where members of the elielzri society at Yale
the problem today in lubavitch ( one of many ) is that we are selling a watered down version without the emes in most instances. we are unfortunately involed in court cases over wills over shuls and unfortunately losing our hadrach and seeing unfortunately kids leaving our communities at a unheard of number. the hechts have a tradition to confront and deal with the issues and bring them to the forefront does anyone remember the sichos about rabbi JJ and Rabbi moshe hecht from new haven by the rebbe . In fact if you review the sichos the rebbe gave… Read more »
Those were the rebbe rashab’s last words to his son. Chabad is about Mochin — intellect, not reckless emotional stunts that will only yield kudos from the right wing choir.
That’s in general. How much more so in an academic bastion of intellectual brilliance such as Yale.
Rabbi Hecht, this is not a Lag B’omer parade. If you claim to represent the Jewish people, please do so in a place that suits your talents, abilities, and personality. Perhaps you may not be the best match for Yale after all.
Get over it! Stop being so P.C.
A huge problem is that Jewish students on campus today are often confused with all the anti Israel propaganda going on.
Kudos to rabbi Hecht for giving them a voice.
Em sorry your method is not any more effective then Hecht’s.
Fact is: Tom Friedman is still spewing his rhetoric.
Time to ask yourself what your friendship is even worth.
How is your friendship with Friedman helping the cause if hes coming out with such terrible statements against Israel?
Answer him to the point. He brought out some valid points and facts. Don’t get personal.
Thomas Friedman doesn’t deserve the extra cuddling by R Eliezre! The Rebbe would shout by farbrengen abt the matzav in EY, something so close to his heart…I think R Hecht said it all without a long winded debate – of course the Rebbe cared for each Jew and I’m sure R Hecht loves the Jew in mr fried man as well but Someone has to stand for the truth, and with all due respect that wasn’t R Eliezre in this situation.
Way to go shmulie.
If our dear ,charming Rabbi Hecht would of kept his mouth shut no one would be commenting.If Rabbi Hecht had more productive ways to get attention no one would be commenting.Rabbi Hecht either you debate Rabbi Eliezrie or make a public apolgy for defaming Chabad and embarasing your family.
hecht showed his opinion in a civil, non-disruptive way. good for him.
So what about Eliezrie ripping up the sign recently? That WAS the Chabad way? People in glass houses don’t throw stones! Hecht did not represent himself in the name of Chabad, and rightfully so, as the Rebbe requested many times to protest for Shleimus Haaretz (yes, I know that’s not one of the most popular campaigns shluchim -especially on campus, not so comfortable, though it’s something the rebbe screamed about day in day out) but not in the name of Chabad -as J. Gutnick and S B Volpo do. T. Friedman had been causing tremendous damage to Israel’s public image… Read more »
We don’t need apologists for self hating Jews like Thomas Friedman. I think Rabbi Hecht was reflecting the feelings of his constituents (as well as his own). Rabbi Eliezrie, at 2500 miles away, kinda difficult to judge another person at that distance.
What don’t like about the comment by G.G. on the kinnus? That’s the way it is as I also see it. Otherwise why is there more than ONE kinnus? Everyone knows that they DON’T mix, and don’t want to. I also notice that he, G.G., always puts his name on his comments. Why don’t other people use their names. Just like me, we are afraid of repercusions. I know G.G. travels all over doing his shlichut that the Rebbe himself asked him to do. What is wrong with saying the shluchim should put their efforts into helping themselves and others… Read more »
Apparently you haven’t looked outside of your daled amos. Were you to open your eyes you would see shluchim supporting, encouraging and helping one another.
i did not see one statement in rabbi shmuli’s sign that mentions religion. it has nothing to do with religion, it has do with the fact that Thomas Friedman in every opportunity delegitimize Israel and blames israel and if any one of you big opinion Sayers know a little about whats happening in the word regarding the delegitimization against israel know its THE BIGGEST THREAT FACING ISRAEL SECOND ONLY TO IRAN and i don’t thing Thomas Friedman is missing some love to change his mind.
Rabb Hecht its not a Shliach and doesn’t claim to represent himself as so. That’s the difference.
Please speak reality. Chabad itself needs the achdus of the chassidim in the time of this galus. Building yiddien to yiddishkeit does more than knocking somebody down. Kinus is a kinus with the full backing of the rabbonim.
n
embarrassmenrt to Chabad/Lubavitch.
Um, You are a Shliach in which place? You have dedicated your life, children and resources to what? How dare you speak against the Shulchim and the Kinnus in such a way.
I agree 100 %
Rabbi Shmuly Hecht’s protest at Yale was way out of line and very disturbing to watch
not only making himself look bad in a crowd full of tom supporters and online but doing the opposite of kiruv by personally attacking him
Perhaps put in a few more MHMs thats going to bring real achdus. You may want to review what it means the “Rebbes shlichut” I dont think there is a OLD or NEW SHLICHUT.
It’s good to see some Shluchim who have the guts to say to an enemy of Yidden (who defames Erets Yisroel and yidden left and right) the right thing. While not every shliach is equipped to be mekadesh Hashem the way you did, but we need some nachshonim to stand up publicly and condemn meharsayich umachrivayich.mimech yetzeu.
Chazak Veematz
To #9
Doo bist kraink auf’n kupp.
B”H to # 12-sounds nice what your write, but as most writers that shape the facts to fit their theme-where in the world (despite the divisions) do you find where it FELL,
chas v sholem,.Lubavitch is flourishing,the only respected group left,accomplishing amazing things worldwide.As a aside it is my personal belief that the Rebbe set the stage for these disagreements only and solely to spur Lubavitch to greater heights.He could have made things clearer if her preferred to.
What is the Chabad way? There are so many factions in this movement how can one say, ‘The Chabad Way’? People from all walks of life are involved in this group, so how can you define the Chabad way? Jews, non-Jews, all races & colors, observant, non-observant, etc., all part of Chabad. Why, because we Chabad chassidim merited to have the Zechus that our Rebbe is MHM. When everyone is ready to accept and announce this, then we will see this with our physical eyes. Hatzlachah Rabbah. Gedaliah Goodman
Shmuley’s tactic was cute and enjoyable but out of hnd. I enjoyed the first part. thought that was funny, but the second part abt the ivory tower was wrong
At least Hecht stands up for something – even though I dont get what he accomplished as opposed to most out there afraid to ruffle feathers and want to be accepted by everyone.
Good work Hecht dont be niapoel
to apologize is as bad as furling the banner.
Both are wrong. Chabad is not PC, nor is it radical.
It has a strong value system of its own. Hecht and Eliezrie dont represent the mainstream.
Can Rabbi Hecht please apologise and all of this will simply end.He is young and needs someone to madrich him .Number 10 dont avoid the issue you must be related to Rabbi Hecht because you arent thinking objectively and because you attack people not bothering to digest information rationally and address issues.
https://collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=11541&alias=shliach-stops-netanyahu-heckler
Chabad is good with flags!!! What a shanda!
Shmully Hecht isn’t sufficiently articulate or a quick-enough thinker to be able to respond on the fly. So instead, he unfurls a banner that sounds ridiculous at best & makes himself appear foolish, uninformed & immature. He’s at YALE, not PS 31. He’s with the brightest. You can’t win playing in the majors using minor players…back in 1973, after the Yom Kippur war, I headed a debate in my university when the left wingers proposed a motion equating Zionism with racism. As a young female student who really didn’t have any clue what to do (I didn’t have much going… Read more »
As long as people refuse to accept what the Rebbe MHM said about shlichut, that the old shlichut is OVER, and the Only shlichut left is to , M’kabel P’nei Moschiach Tzidkenu B’Poel Mamash, and that EVERY Jew is a shliach of the Rebbe MHM, then it is irrelevent all these encounters, debates, etc., and the disagreements will continue in a manner of ‘Ain L’davar Sof. Kinus hashluchim is coming up again. Same old story, total diagreement by the shluchim of the world, and same result, disunity, hatred, and a waste of precious opportunities for the shluchim to help and… Read more »
You need a haircut, your wild look didn’t help your cause.
I don’t think it was right for Rabbi Eliezrie to say negative about Rabbi Hecht to Mr. Friedman. That wasn’t his place to further lower the image of Chabad to Mr. Friedman.
to number 9, get a life !! im assuming your living in ch doing nothing about spreading the rebbes teachings etc..
While fancy banners are being produced,double sided banners( in case of emergency ) and poetic prelimenary videos are being created the young Jews at yale are waiting for someone to touch their neshomas with the Rebbes teachings.I dont understand how any shaliach would even have the time for this self promotion and forget why he lives in his community. The only good thing that can possibly come out of this is for Rabbi Hecht to make a chesbon hanefesh and use his many talents for something the Rebbe actually wants.Secondly young shluchim should find chassidisher mentors to make sure that… Read more »
B’H
A gut Voch!
Finally someone condemned him in a respectful way. It’s not a Shliach’s job to do such things His role is to mekarve yidden, not to do politics.
As he matures, he may recognize it.
Rabbi hecht u made a kidush hashem Mr freidman did enoph dameged for Israel what is the problem with rabbi eliezrey .. time to stand up and stop the hate slander of Mr freidman
you can speak all you want and hopefully you will get somewhere positive, but somebody has to protest
Any Israeli who tries to talk in any college can’t get 5 words out , and Ahmadinejad has no problem talking, Don’t compare the way the Rebe acted in with politicians in power, and the way we should act towards people talking in colleges, we shouldn’t let the heckling go only one way. I disagree with the words on the sign, because he is no Chomsky or Soros , and the other side is class warefare, but heckling is okay.
Rabbi E. kol hakovod.No disrepect to S. Hecht and I hope he doesn’t look to respond and make this a slinging match, but the point is well articulated. Sometimes our passion carries us away. Bite the bullet Shmully – acknowledge that your well justified feelings got the better of you, but in the end Rabbi Eliezrie is right. A question my father always advises me by which to guide my life: “What would the Rebbe say?”
Hecht does NOT speak for, nor does he represent in any shape or form, the Chabad movement.
Rabbi Eliezrie is quite correct in his comments, except, that this would not be the Chabad derech to protest against Mr. Soros or Chomsky either, and more importantly, to rip uo a banner at an event about a year ago (something, Rabbi Eliezrie did) is also NOT the Chabad Derech (or mission statement).
Those that do represent Chabad or the Rebbe (Shluchim, Askanim etc.,) must always be cognizant of this, and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Rebbe’s directives and examples.