Op-Ed by Chaim of Crown Heights
I would like to share my thoughts on the new achdus campaign.
First of all, I would like to thank the organizers of this new Achdus group for arranging the Shiurim and trying to raise awareness of this issue. I would also like to thank COLlive for broadcasting the Shiurim and bringing this important effort to the public.
I believe this campaign is having the desired effect. I live in Crown Heights and have heard many people talking about the importance of Chassidim feeling true love for one another.
There is one point that I feel is not being addressed. We all know there are unfortunately two groups in Lubavitch right now. While it is unrealistic to expect these two groups to agree with each other we just wish that they could get along.
Why is it that we Lubavitchers who are so good at Ahavas Yisroel with everyone else, find it so difficult when it comes to our own?
I believe the answer is as follows. The reason we have such a hard time getting along with one another is not because of how great the differences are between us, but rather because of how much we have in common.
With another Jew, it is much easier to put aside our differences and only discuss those issues about which we agree.
When it comes to a fellow Lubavitcher however, this is much more complicated. Because we disagree about the Rebbe, Moshiach, the right approach to Hafotza etc. As Chassidim these issues are always at the forefront of our lives. Whenever we engage in discussion with another Chossid these issues will undoubtedly come up. Anything beyond irrelevant small talk seems to lead us down the path to Machlokes.
I would love to hear from either the organizers or the readers of COLlive practical ideas of how to deal with this.
* * *
The third instalment of the online classes by the Achdus group will be streaming live on COLlive.com – the Lubavitch Community News Service.
8:15 PM Eastern Time: A class for women delivered by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Glukowsky, Rov of the Lubavitch community in Rechovot, Israel.
9:00 PM Eastern Time: A class for men delivered by Rabbi Yossi Chazan, Rov of the Holy Law South Broughton Congregation in Manchester, England, and a renowned speaker.
The Achdus group is an ongoing initiative undertaken by a group of Anash and Shluchim to promote international Lubavitch unity. For more information visit FamilyofChassidim.com.
The Achdus group:
+ Achdus Group Prints Booklet
+ Shuls Join Achdus Group
+ Video: Second Achdus Class
+ Video: First Achdus Class
+ Achdus Group Begins Activity
+ I Will Try to Love Them Too
+ New Group to Promote Achdus
Women @ 8:15 by Rabbi Glukowsky:
Men @ 9:00 by Rabbi Chazan
I think it is very important that people finaly stating there opinions – this is the begining of a conversation. The point of ahdus though is NOT to share the same opinion. It is to respect the other persone who thinks differently then you do. I have issues with shalom in my own life and this lectures do help. Thank you very much!!!! P.S. Moshiah is waiting to come and he is waiting for peace. Chatslocha to all of us.
Good thinking… I like the way you put it!
Sadly the video Post on Achdus, has only generated more hatred….
The Keyword is Respect:
We all are different and have different opinions and the only we can all be connected is to just respect each other and everyones opinions. (even if may differ from own opinion)
P.S.
I really thought both of these videos were amazing…If you could continue posting such videos…very good!!
Thanks
Why focus on the area of dispute?
What about mivtzoim, chassidus, davening. He will say yechi and you wont, period.
To 13.
Even if the Rebbe says that, did he ask you to fight his personal war for him?
I dont think there are enough Rabbonim in the community who clarify all these issues. I have tried sincerely to get answers to many questions, trying truthfully to understand reality and what the Rebbe has said and so on….I never get proper answers. People have a hard time giving over the ideas clearly. So if the leaders cant explain things clearly, people are left confused and that is one reason there are so many machlokes. Let the Rabbonim get together, go over all sources, make conclusions, publicize them and teach people so people can draw the right conclusions as well.… Read more »
#13 i dont know what you are talking about re the war. but does the mitzvah of ahavas yisroel not apply to one who is waging a war against his Rebbe? As far as I recall if you learn Perek 32 of Tanya, which is a book that the Rebbe held in high esteem, it talks about loving a sinner too.
As noted above, the reconciliation of the 3 opinions can only be made by giving credence to all 3 opinions and establishing together working ground rules for lubavitch. In other words finding a place for all of them in the framework of lubacitch. Also equally important, and more easily doable, is being friendly helpful, and interactive with each other and our families. And my final comment is that the whole picture of ahavas yisroel and achdus of lubavitch much include much soul searching in the area of chinuch ( our schools not reaching way too many children ) and shidduchim… Read more »
its all a waste of time unless something mamoshis is DONE to unify the different sides.
Its all a waste of time unless the trouble makers are named and called out for what they are,
the root of the problems in Chabad today.
he is not saying that you can’t differences of opinions. He is saying that you should not fight/argue with each other about it!!!!!
vos nemstu zich on far’n Rebbe’n. Let the Rebbe worry about His battles, and you respect your fellow yid. It’s none of your business. The Rebbe didn’t ask you to help Him wage his battle!! He asked you to “Tut altz vos ir kent” to bring Moshiach now!! That’s your and our only business!!
Moshiach NOW!!!!!!!!
How can I possibly reconcile with anyone about whom my Rebbe said is “waging a personal war against me” (i.e. someone who publicizes that the Rebbe is Moshiach)?!
live and let live i happen not to be a meshichist but i respect them as i respect a/o else. and i think its important for others to do the same
Its amazing how you can distort the Jewish belief and the Rebbe’s words.
The Rebbe specifically said: who the person is not important at all!
Let me repeat: who moshiach is is not our business or anyone
The Rambam and everyone else said we should believe in Moshiach and his coming but not who he is.
The Rebbe wrote that in a tzetil to R’ Aaron Laizer Tzeitlin from Tzfas and it was published in the past.
So, yes, I am a Lubavitcher and is the Rebbe’s is/can/might/will is not important.
How can u be a Lubavitcher and not beleive the Rebbe is Moshiach?! Then who is Moshiach? U need to beleive in an actual person- and who else is qualified to fit that role? fine, so don’t say yechi…. But that the Rebbe isn’t moshaich?!!!!
The only thing that keeps Lubavitchers from loving each other is ego. We can’t stand it when somebody’s opinions differ from ours. The thing to keep in mind is that those which are most petty and unnecessary are arguments because of what “I” bleieve. We are here for a purpose; we can’t let differences in beliefs obstruct reaching the ultimate goal. Are these arguments lesheim shomayim? Sure, we can have our own ideas of who we think (or know) is Mashiach, but if somebody disagrees, there is no desparate need to show him the truth (of that matter). The thing… Read more »
there are those who believe the Rebbe is Moshiach and feel that the present Yechi campaign is obligitory.
there are those who believe the Rebbe is Moshiach and feel that the Yechi campaign is counterproductive.
there are those who believed the Rebbe was the potential Moshiach but feel that after Gimmel Tammuz that position is no longer viable.
How can we bring these three groups of Anash onto the same page?
I am known in our community to be an “anti”. While when people ask me what I have to say about the “Meshichists”. I simply answer with a smile that they believe my Rebbe is Moshiach! How upset can I really be?
Can I get this as a recording? I won’t be available at that time. I’d like to listen to Rabbi Chazan.
I think the sterotypical lubavitcher is very into Mivtzoyim and therefore uses Love as a tool to get someone to come closer. Since the other Lubavitcher with a different view knows just as much as him and won’t fall for his love tactics why would he bother with such petty things such as showing respect and decency?
…just my personal opinion…
Can never be achieved as long as the totally number one core issue is different. We can put aside differences with others because it doesn’t impact our deepest core, as the two groups in Lubavitch do. I do not ever see how I can respect those whose actions go against my deepest core beliefs.