Torah and Jewish Idea > Torah and Jewish Idea

Chabad and Jewish Messianism [Machon Shilo Shiur]

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muman613:
It does not matter to me...

I have investigated the matter because of course it was a concern to me. I know what idolatry is, and I know the difference between accepting that a man was a tzadik {which I fully believe that Rebbe Schnerson was} and believing he was Moshiach.

I do not deny that there are some who do believe this. But here, in California, I know at least four Chabad Rabbis pretty personally {I have their phone #s and know where they live}.... I have asked each one about it, and they do not believe he was Moshiach. As it is clear that Moshiach must complete a mission and Rebbe did not do so, he cannot be Moshiach. That is what Rambam said about Moshiach, he will accomplish the mission in one lifetime.

I do not listen to rabbis who knock Chassidus. I used to listen to Rabbi Mizrachi but have since ceased doing so once he laid into Breslov for their pilgrimage to Rabbi Nachmans grave in Uman. I believe that there may be some questions about whether one should go on Rosh Hashana, but I do not believe it amounts to idolatry.

There is one strange issue with Chabad. I myself do not have any images of man or animals in my home {I believe I hold a strict interpretation of making images}.... But at every Chabad house there is a painting of Rebbe.... I think it is a little bit questionable...

muman613:
There is not a single Jewish organization which does as much good for the Jewish people than Chabad does {possibly OU and NCSY} . I am entirely grateful for the many Shabbatons and the Rabbis who make themselves available to answer questions. I myself am confident that they are not leading me on a path towards idolatry.

I certainly believe that Moshiach is coming, and I do believe that he is coming soon. I believe that we are witnessing the birth pangs of Moshiach.

I believe that Chassidic Judaism holds a lot of Torah truth. It is my minhag, and it is the minhag of my ancestors...

http://www.ou.org
http://www.ncsy.org/

muman613:
On another note:

Sometimes I feel that people think we idolize Rabbi Kahane... He was nifter over 20 years and we have not replaced him... He is still OUR rabbi in some respects...

muman613:
On a slightly similar note I would like to explain what Chassidus is:

http://www.inner.org/chassidut/chassidut.htm


Overview of Chassidut (Chassidus)

Chassidut (or, Chassidus) is the movement within Judaism founded by Rabbi Yisrael Ba'al Shem Tov (5458 – 5520 [1698-1760 CE]. Its purpose is to awaken the Jewish People to its own inner self through the inner dimension of the Torah, thus preparing the way for the advent of Mashiach.

Chassidut is inwardly based upon the ancient doctrinal tradition of Kabbalah. Outwardly it gives new emphasis to the simple and joyful service of God, particularly through prayer and acts of loving-kindness. In Chassidic thought, the abstract and often impenetrable formulae of classical Kabbalah are recast into the psychological terms of human experience.

By using the individual’s own inner experience as an allegorical model for understanding the deepest mysteries of the universe, Chassidut both elevates the consciousness of the ordinary Jew as well as expands the conceptual territory of Kabbalistic thought. Indeed, the classical tradition of Kabbalah can be considered superficial relative to that of Chassidut. By focusing upon immediate experience, Chassidut identifies aspects of Divinity that the highly formal and abstract system of Kabbalistic induction leaves unexplored.

Another way of explaining the differing emphases of Kabbalah and Chassidut is to say that Kabbalah focuses on the "vessels" (kelim) of Creation while Chassidut deals with the "lights"(orot) that fill these vessels. This distinction is apparent even in the names attached to these two mystical traditions: The word Kabbalah in Hebrew is derived from the root kabal, "to serve as a receptacle or vessel," while the word Chassidut is constructed from the root chesed, "lovingkindness," an attribute often referred to symbolically as the light of day.

The Ba'al Shem Tov brought Kabbalistic thought to its historical apex, both in terms of its conceptual refinement and its degree of influence upon the lives of the Jewish populace. It has been said that where Kabbalah is the "soul of the Torah," Chassidut is "the soul within the soul."

muman613:
I would also like to say that I respect KWRBTs choice to learn from this Rabbi. I do not denigrate Rabbis no matter what they say just out of principle...

Im sure that the Rabbi believes he is doing good...

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