2008 Woodie Awards
Closed-mindedness, Open-mindedness, and the Future of the Jewish Religion
A Response
David Berger
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Opinion
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Mr. Shteir's article is an excellent example of Chabad's largely successful use of the argument from tolerance and openness to intimidate and silence critics.
It is my best assessment that a large majority of Lubavitch hasidim believe that the Rebbe is the Messiah while a very substantial number believe that he is pure divinity. (For a succinct presentation of the evidence, see http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5766/pinchos/olubavtchpnc66.htm.) It would have been self-evident to all loyal Jews before our orphaned generation that both of these beliefs contradict fundamental doctrines of Orthodox Judaism. In the case of the second belief, we are dealing with full fledged avodah zarah. By recognizing Lubavitch hasidim as Orthodox authorities without investigation-and all the more so by extending such recognition to overt believers - we grant legitimacy to these beliefs, thus undermining the fundamentals of the faith, providing devastating ammunition to the Christian mission, and betraying generations of Jews who gave their lives to maintain the theological boundaries between Judaism and Christianity.
This is not the forum to argue the merits of the issues. I hope that all interested parties will refrain from taking a firm position until they read The Rebbe, the Messiah, and the Scandal of Orthodox Indifference, soon to be issued in paperback with a new introduction containing among much else some very brief remarks about Rabbi Rapoport's work and other critical responses to the book. At this point, Hebrew readers should read the updated version, Ha-Rebbe Melekh ha-Mashiah, Sha'aruriyyat ha-Adishut, ve-ha-Iyyum al Emunat Yisrael. To borrow Mr. Shteir's term, I hope that people will remain open-minded until they have familiarized themselves with the evidence.
It should be self-evident to all who care about the future of Judaism that anyone who sees the reality on the ground as well as the religious consequences as I do is obligated to take the positions that I take. This is not closed-mindedness, unless Mr. Shteir believes that open-mindedness requires the abolition of all theological boundaries defining the Jewish religion. Moreover, since I do not advocate anything more draconian than the policies maintained by moderate Modern Orthodox Jews toward traditional Conservative Jews--and no one calls these policies excommunication-the casual use of that term is also misplaced.
It is my best assessment that a large majority of Lubavitch hasidim believe that the Rebbe is the Messiah while a very substantial number believe that he is pure divinity. (For a succinct presentation of the evidence, see http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5766/pinchos/olubavtchpnc66.htm.) It would have been self-evident to all loyal Jews before our orphaned generation that both of these beliefs contradict fundamental doctrines of Orthodox Judaism. In the case of the second belief, we are dealing with full fledged avodah zarah. By recognizing Lubavitch hasidim as Orthodox authorities without investigation-and all the more so by extending such recognition to overt believers - we grant legitimacy to these beliefs, thus undermining the fundamentals of the faith, providing devastating ammunition to the Christian mission, and betraying generations of Jews who gave their lives to maintain the theological boundaries between Judaism and Christianity.
This is not the forum to argue the merits of the issues. I hope that all interested parties will refrain from taking a firm position until they read The Rebbe, the Messiah, and the Scandal of Orthodox Indifference, soon to be issued in paperback with a new introduction containing among much else some very brief remarks about Rabbi Rapoport's work and other critical responses to the book. At this point, Hebrew readers should read the updated version, Ha-Rebbe Melekh ha-Mashiah, Sha'aruriyyat ha-Adishut, ve-ha-Iyyum al Emunat Yisrael. To borrow Mr. Shteir's term, I hope that people will remain open-minded until they have familiarized themselves with the evidence.
It should be self-evident to all who care about the future of Judaism that anyone who sees the reality on the ground as well as the religious consequences as I do is obligated to take the positions that I take. This is not closed-mindedness, unless Mr. Shteir believes that open-mindedness requires the abolition of all theological boundaries defining the Jewish religion. Moreover, since I do not advocate anything more draconian than the policies maintained by moderate Modern Orthodox Jews toward traditional Conservative Jews--and no one calls these policies excommunication-the casual use of that term is also misplaced.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 103
Yanx58
ibn Aqnin
posted 10/10/07 @ 12:06 AM EST
It is hard to imagine how anyone could disagree with Dr. Berger's points. If a group of Christians decided to call themselves Jewish, and there were many of them, and they made many people who used to be atheist convert to their brand of Judaism, should we all be silent out of ahavas yisrael? The question sounds ridiculous, but it is exactly that premise upon which Mr. (Continued…)
Sholom Schusterman
posted 10/10/07 @ 1:39 AM EST
As a chosid of the rebbe who has inspired thousands to share the light of yiddishkeit with others.I say that the chabad club at Y.U. with its president should continue to be a light onto the students and faculty of Y. (Continued…)
Rav Peter
posted 10/10/07 @ 9:57 AM EST
Sholom --
You have quite an interesting point of view. Perhaps it would be more convincing if you presented an reason for why we should see things your way, instead of emotional, ad hominem attacks. (Continued…)
Yosef Levine YUHS '95 SSSB '09
posted 10/10/07 @ 12:24 PM EST
Refuah Shalemah to Dr. Berger. - You will have to take your personal issues with the Rebbe himself in 120+ years. Until then, I wish you a Gut Yur and continued Blessings in spreading your message. (Continued…)
backmanbruce
Sam
posted 10/10/07 @ 1:44 PM EST
It is a shame that Prof. Berger's book is unsourcable, for some reason he has quoted a series of unnamed people who give him and only him the inside scoop. (Continued…)
Sholom Schusterman
posted 10/10/07 @ 2:08 PM EST
The Lubavitcher Rebbe O.B.M. has inspired this generation to share the light of yiddishkeit with others, and his Chassidim continue to do so. Joel Shteir is very much praised for his works at the Chabad Club at Y. (Continued…)
Avi
posted 10/10/07 @ 2:14 PM EST
Sam - you are wrong. Chabad literature on the Web and in print (you can get the pamphlets from Chabad Messichists on the streets downtown) states "Long Live The Rebbe King Moshiach Shlita Forever". (Continued…)
Menachem
posted 10/10/07 @ 4:01 PM EST
Sam --
There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding that has caused this mini-debate among the ensuing posters. When someone attacks the Lubavitchers by dismissing it because "the rebbe is dead", they are not saying that a movement with a dead leader is worthless. (Continued…)
Nachum Lamm
posted 10/10/07 @ 4:07 PM EST
" You will have to take your personal issues with the Rebbe himself in 120+ years."
Ahem. This is typical. He will have to take up any issues he has with *God* after 120. (Continued…)
Avi
posted 10/11/07 @ 2:28 PM EST
As follow-up to Nachum's post, I received a call from an old Lubavitcher friend several years ago before Rosh Hashana, in which I was told that the Rebbe hears all prayers. (Continued…)
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