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| '''Chabad Messianism''' is a trend within the |
'''Chabad Messianism''' is a trend within the ] ] movement that raises the late Rabbi and leader of that movement ] to the level of the ]. Adherants to this belief are termed '''Messianist''' or '''Michichist''' in ]. The pervasivness of this belief within the movement is disputed but various report attest that at the very least, this is a mainstream belief within the modern Chabad movement. | ||
| During the later years of his life Rabbi Schneerson's teachings were interpreted by many to mean that he was claiming to be the ]. The development of this messianism and its impact on Chabad in specific — and ] in general — has been the subject of much discussion in the Jewish press, as well as within the pages of peer-reviewed journals. | During the later years of his life Rabbi Schneerson's teachings were interpreted by many to mean that he was claiming to be the ]. The development of this messianism and its impact on Chabad in specific — and ] in general — has been the subject of much discussion in the Jewish press, as well as within the pages of peer-reviewed journals. | ||
Revision as of 22:49, 20 February 2007
Chabad Messianism is a trend within the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement that raises the late Rabbi and leader of that movement Menachem Mendel Schneerson to the level of the Messiah. Adherants to this belief are termed Messianist or Michichist in Yiddish. The pervasivness of this belief within the movement is disputed but various report attest that at the very least, this is a mainstream belief within the modern Chabad movement.
During the later years of his life Rabbi Schneerson's teachings were interpreted by many to mean that he was claiming to be the Messiah. The development of this messianism and its impact on Chabad in specific — and Orthodox Judaism in general — has been the subject of much discussion in the Jewish press, as well as within the pages of peer-reviewed journals.
There are various expressions of the Messianic message:
- Some express the belief that Rabbi Schneerson was the best candidate for the Messiah in his generation, but now say that people were mistaken to believe that he was the Messiah. Rather, he could have been the messiah if God willed it to be so, but it was not to be. As such, the Messiah will come nonetheless in the person of some other great leader.
- Some emphasize the belief that the classic meaning of death does not apply to a truly righteous person such as Rabbi Schneerson. In this view Rabbi Schneerson never "died", and is still alive in some way that ordinary humans cannot perceive. According to this view, the Rebbe would later be revealed as Messiah. . Many Chabad Hasidim refuse to put the typical honorifics for the dead (e.g. zt"l or zecher tzaddik livrocho, "may the memory of the righteous be for a blessing") after Rabbi Schneerson's name. They rely upon the Rebbe's statement that the world has entered a new period in its history and that, contrary to what has happened in the past, the leader of the generation will not be hidden "even through burial", but that he would remain alive until the revelation of the Messiah. .
These beliefs had been criticized by David Berger. However, Berger's claims have been attacked as false and misleading by several books written in response to his claims.
- David Singer, Director of Research for the American Jewish Committee, wrote a lengthy criticism of Dr. Berger at OrthodoxyToday.org, stating, among other things, that Berger has "emerged as a would-be Torquemada on the Orthodox scene, demanding a policy of 'intolerance' and 'exclusion' toward those he deems to be heretical to Orthodoxy".
- Rabbi Ahron Soloveitchik expressed concern for voices attacking Chabad. He urged that there not be unnecessary controversy, demanded respect for Chabad, and expressed praise for its work and stated that its beliefs are not outside the realm of Orthodox Judaism.
- Rav Eliyahu Shmerler, Tsanzer Rosh Yeshiva, signed a document saying that he believes that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is Moshiach even now. (Dalfin, Chaim, "Attack on Lubavitch")
- Rav Yaakov Yosef, Rav Ovadia Yosef's son, signed a document saying that he believes that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is Moshiach. (Dalfin, Chaim, "Attack on Lubavitch")
- Rav Hirshprung, Av Beth Din of Montreal has said that the belief that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is Moshiach is totally valid. (In a signed letter dated 13th of Iyar 5757 (1997) Printed in the "Algemeiner Journal".)
- Likewise, Professor Aviezer Ravitzky, chairman of the department of Jewish philosophy at Hebrew University, strongly disputes Berger's claims that new Chabad teachings amount to heresy; however, he does not believe that such beliefs are correct. In regards to those who wait for Schneerson to return from the dead as a messiah, Ravitzky stated "Torah does not prohibit a person from being stupid".
- AdMo"R Aaron Leifer, Grand Rabbi of Nadvorna-Safed, signed a halachic decree along with over a hundred others declaring the Lubavitcher Rebbe to be the Messiah, and urging Jews to recite "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu v'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'Olam Va'ed" ("Long live our master, teacher and rabbi, the anointed king forever").
- Moshe Idel, the Max Cooper Professor of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University, considered the world's foremost academic authority on Kabbalah , or Jewish mysticism, disagrees with Berger's key point, that Judaism abhors the idea of a messiah who rises from the dead, arguing that the late King David is considered in Jewish literature as a leading candidate for the post of Messiah .