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Chabad-Lubavitch is a branch of Hasidism. Its founder Shneur Zalman of Liadi was arrested by the Russians on trumped up charges of treason, but later cleared and realesed. He opposed the Napoleonic emancipation of the Jews. Its seventh leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's theology has been controversial; He was heavily criticized for starting the Baal teshuvah movement; became active in Israeli politics and was criticised heavily by Elazar Shach. Chabad messianism, the belief that Schneerson is the messiah and will return or that he never even died has led to a split within Chabad.

Since his death in 1994, and the decision not to appoint a successor, the movement has fragmented into competing factions. Financial battles have been ongoing between these factions since 1995, and the contested control over the headquarters in Brooklyn has led to friction in the community.

Shneur Zalman of Liadi

Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the movement, was arrested by Tsar Paul I on two occasions on trumped up charges but released both times. In the face of Napoleonic invasion, Liadi sided with the Tsar, believing that emancipation and freedom would lead to spiritual malaise.

During his life, the controversies between the Hasidim and Mitnagdim intensified in many ways. Some issues involved in the disagreements were the rules for ritual slaughter as well as the conduct and phrasing of prayers. As a result, Rabbi Schneur Zalman and his followers were subjected to bans, though in part due to the changes made to Hasidic thought this lessened during the lives of his son Dovber Schneuri and grandson Menachem Mendel Schneersohn. Although Schneur Zalman once attempted to see the Vilna Gaon to persuade him to legitimize the Hasidim, the Vilna Gaon refused to speak with him.

Arrests

In 1798 Liadi was arrested on suspicion of treason on trumped up charges and brought to St. Petersburg where he was held in the Petropavlovski fortress for 53 days.

Again in 1800 he was arrested and again transported to St. Petersburg along with his son Moshe who served as an interpreter, as Liadi spoke no Russian or French. He was released after a few weeks but was banned from leaving St. Petersburg The elevation of Tsar Alexander I a few weeks later led to Liadi's release.

According to scholars Liadi's first arrest was not the result of anti-Hasidic Mitnagdim agitators fabricating charges, or officials seeking extortion monies. An accusation was made on May 8 1798 by Hirsh ben David of Vilna accused Liadi of trying to assist the French Revolution, by sending money to Napoleon and the Sultan. It appears that there was no such person as Hirsh and the authorities were attempting to stir up internecine fighting among the Jews.

Liadi and Napoleon

While most Jewish leaders supported Napoleon or remained quiet about their support, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi openly and vigorously supported the Tsar. While fleeing from Napoleon, Liadi wrote a letter explaining his opposition to Napoleon to a friend, Rabbi Moshe Meizeles:

Should Napoleon be victorious, wealth among the Jews will be abundant. . .but the hearts of Israel will be separated and distant from their father in heaven. But if our master Alexander will triumph, though poverty will be abundant. . . the heart of Israel will be bound and joined with their father in heaven. . . And for God's sake: Burn this letter.

Alan Dershowitz argues that Liadi was clear about his intent - suffering was good for the Jews. Suffering would inspire asceticism and bolster the Hasidic cause. Dershowitz goes on to take issue with what he interprets as a view that Judaism requires suffering to survive.

Others defend Liadi, arguing that Napoleon had been attempting to arouse a messianic view of himself in Jews, opening the gates of the Ghettos and emancipating their residents as he conquered. He established an ersatz Sanhedrin, recruiting Jews to his ranks, and spreading rumors about his conquest of the Holy Land to make Jews subversive for his own ends. Thus his opposition was based on a practical fear of Jews turning to the false messianism of Napoleon as he saw it.

Still others argue that Dershowitz's interpretation is correct, but that Liadi's "fears were borne out by the events of the next two centuries. When emancipation did come to European Jewry, it came as a gradual process, and the traditional Judaism had by then developed an array of intellectual and moral responses (most notably, the Chassidic and Mussar movements). Still, the spiritual toll of freedom was high: traditional Jewish life was all but wiped out in France and Germany by the upheavals spearheaded by the French Revolution, and while it persevered in Eastern Europe until the eve of the Holocaust, many fell prey to the winds of anti-religious "enlightenment" blowing from the west. We can only imagine what the toll might have been had Napoleon conquered the continent in the early years of the nineteenth century."

Moshe Schneersohn

Scholar David Assaf uncovered evidence that Rabbi Moshe Schneersohn (or Zalmanovitch or Shneuri), the youngest son of the founder of Chabad, the Alter Rebbe, had befriended an artillery officer. The officer then got Schneersohn drunk at a party and convinced him to convert to Christianity. Assaf also uncovered evidence that there had been a campaign by Chabad followers to erase this fact from the history books. Schneersohn had been a Rabbi in the Belorussian town of Ula. According to Chabad accounts, including the history of the Chabad movement written by the sixth Rebbe, "Rebbe Moshe" was forced to flee and spend the rest of his life in hiding after winning a disputation with the local priest (similar to Nachmanides's forced move after winning the Disputation of Barcelona). Chabad accounts state that he was buried in an unmarked grave in Radomysl, Ukraine.

Documents found by historian Shaul Stampfer document Schneersohn's conversion to Christianity. The original documents are located in the national historical archives in Minsk, the capital of Belarussia. These include a letter in to the local priest in which he states his intent to convert, his baptismal certificate, which was dated July 4, 1820. The documents also show that after his conversion he worked for the Tzar to assist in the conversion of other Jews.

In the letter in which he stated his intention to convert he wrote that the Jews had tried to prevent him from doing so by watching him constantly, beating him and threatening him. He wrote: "I have remained steadfast in my desire to take upon myself the true faith of Jesus Christ, to which the holy books and all the prophets testify." After conversion he changed his name to Leon Yoleivitch. He returned to visit Lubavitchi, where his brother was the Rabbi, but fled, ultimatly dying in a mental institution in St. Petersburg.

Dovber Shneuri

The succession of Rabbi Dovber Schneuri to his fathers post was not straightforward as a senior disciple of his father Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye was a popular and respected figure who differed with him on a number of theological issues.

Strashelye breakaway

When R' Schneur Zalman passed away, many of his followers flocked to one of his top students, Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye He had been Shneur Zalman’s closest disciple for over thirty years. While many more became followers of the Mittler Rebbe, the Strashelye school of Chassidic thought was the subject of many of the Mittler Rebbe's discourses. R' Aharon HaLevi emphasized the importance of basic emotions in divine service (especially the service of prayer). The Mittler Rebbe did not reject the role of emotion in prayer, but emphasized that if the emotion in prayer is to be genuine, it can only be a result of contemplation and understanding (hisbonenus) of the explanations of Chassidus, which in turn will lead to an attainment of "bittul" (self-nullification before the Divine). In his work entitled "Kuntres Hispaalus" (Tract on Ecstasy), the Mittler Rebbe argues that only through ridding oneself of what he considered disingeuous emotions could one attain the ultimate level in Chassidic worship (that is, bittul).

Joseph Issac Schneersohn

The response of the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn to the Holocaust has been condemned from a number of quarters. Bryan Mark Rigg wrote his PhD thesis on the subject an Cambridge University. He quotes Rabbi Alex Weisfogel, secretary of Rabbi Avraham Kalmanowitz of the Vaad Hatzalah as saying that Kalmanowitz and Aaron Kotler were appalled at Schneersohn's focus on "bringing the messiah" while the war continued. Rigg argues that while "he employed every means possible to escape Europe, when he arrived in the US, "he did not approach those very same people to help rescue those who had to remain in Europe. However, he did approach those people in the government to rescue his library, which he did get out in 1941. Also he started condemning people who were organizing amazing rescue efforts like rabbis Kotler and Kalmanowitz of the Vaad-Hatzala." He forbade his followers from leaving Russia in the 1920s and 30s, declaring that those who did were "deserters". Chabad scholar Avrum Erlich writes:

In Yosef Yitzhak’s case, the consequences of staying in the Soviet Union were disastrous for the obedient Hasidim; moreover, as there was little for those who stayed to do, their sacrifice was largely in vain. While he prevented his followers from leaving Russia, Yosef Yitzhak himself eventually migrated to the United States, long after it became impossible for many of his followers to escape Communist persecution.

However after the war ended, in 1945, he set up a relief organisation to assist the survivors of the holocaust.

The Malach

Another incident which occurred was with Rabbi Chaim Avraham Dov Ber Levine haCohen, also known as The Malach (lit. the angel). He was the tutor of Joseph Isaac Schneersohn when the latter was a child, but personal differences caused Rabbi Levine to break with Chabad. Torah Vodaas, in order to inspire its students, used to encourage its students to visit knowledgeable rabbis and Rabbi Levine was one of them. Eventually, some of the students styled themselves as Rabbi Levine's followers. This quasi-Hasidic group, known as The Malachim, is rather antagonistic towards Chabad and only acknowledges the legitimacy of the first four Chabad rebbes. The Malachim themselves did not choose a successor to Rabbi Levine. Today, the Malachim are a marginal group.

The dispute was apparently over the tutelage of Yosef Yitchok. According to the Malachim, Levine caught him reading a secular book and told his father about the incident. Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, the fifth Rebbe of Chabad, did not believe that his son would do this and called tutor and tutee to talk with him. When Yosef Yitzchok promised that he had not read the book, the father accepted his word, and Levine resigned his post.

Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad leader, took the reins of the movement shortly after World War II and became the Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty following the death of his father-in-law in 1950. At the speech where he accepted leadership, he proclaimed the defining theme of his tenure. He stated that his purpose as the seventh Rebbe and the Chasidim as the seventh generation, was to complete the work of bringing the Shechina back into this world and bringing the Jewish Messiah. He further stated that the previous Rebbe had not finished this work, but because of the unusual character of his self-sacrifice was still present to lead the charge in bringing about the Messianic Age:

Beyond this, the Rebbe will bind and unite us with the infinite Essence of HaShem ... When he redeems us from the exile with an uplifted hand and the dwelling places of all Jews shall be filled with light... May we be privileged to see and meet with the Rebbe here is this world, in a physical body, in this earthy domain - and he will redeem us.

The soul as "the essence of God"

In 1951 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson in his first sermon as the Rebbe he described his father-in-law the sixth rebbe, and Rebbes in general, as being "the essence and content of God, clothed in a body". This is brought down in his collected sermons Likutei Sichos He asks rhetorically: "How can one make a request of a rebbe - isn't that surely a problem of speaking to God through an intermediary?" (Which is anethmatic to Judaism.) He notes that while his answer is novel, and not found in other Hasidic sources one must answer that in truth "One cannot ask question. . . since Atzmus u'mehus alein vi er hat zich areingeshtalt in a guf" or " is the essence and substance of God enclothed in a body".

In recent years some critics, notably Rabbi Dr. David Berger and Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller, expressed their concern that this is a major innovation by Schneerson that "deifies" the Rebbe, which is contrary to Orthodox Judaism. Chabad writers counter that these reactions are based on misunderstandings of Kabbalistic terminology used by Rabbi Schneerson, and that similar expressions can be found throughout non-Chabad Hasidic and Kabbalistic literature.

Defenders point to similar statements attributed to the Baal Shem Tov and the Ohr ha-Chaim. They point to a quote from Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi that "He who breathed life into man, breathed from Himself". Therefore a person's soul is "truly a part of HaShem above". They argue that in the light of these statements Schnnerson's 1951 comments are not a departure from normative Jewish thought.

Chabad library controversy

A family dispute arose about the library of the sixth Rebbe which also brought an internal family rivalry between Barry Gurary (supported by his mother) and his uncle the seventh Rebbe (supported by the "Rashag", Barry's father) into the public spotlight. Barry Gurary's grandfather, the sixth Rebbe, collected a vast library of Judaica, which included several rare volumes. Barry believed, that certain of the books in the library had been left to him.

In 1984, some 34 years after his grandfather's passing, Barry Gurary entered the library and clandestinely removed numerous Jewish books, including a first edition Passover haggadah worth over $50,000, and a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) that was said to have belonged to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism, and began selling the books. One illuminated Passover Haggadah dating back to 1757 was sold for $69,000 to a Swiss book dealer who soon found a private buyer to pay nearly $150,000 for it. His uncle, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad Rebbe, was infuriated by these actions. He demanded that the volumes be returned. When Barry refused, also refusing his uncle's summons to Beth Din, Schneerson persued the case in the civil courts. On legal advice the Lubavitchers decided to obtain a temporary restraining order in the hope that this would resolve the matter.

Rabbi Schneerson argued that the volumes were not the "personal possession" of Gurary's grandfather, but the "communal property" of the Lubavitch Hasidim. In making this argument, basing himself on a letter from his father-in-law indicating that the books were the heritage of the entire Jewish community he implied that possession of the books legitimized a succession claim; therefore Barry's alleged theft constituted a challenge to his long-undisputed leadership of the Chabad movement. The organizational body that represents Lubavitch Chassidim - Agudas Chasidei Chabad (ACC), filed suit to retrieve the books.

In 1986, the court ruled in favor of ACC, and that ruling was upheld on appeal in November 1987. The volumes were returned to the library. The Lubavitcher Rebbe then proclaimed this day as a special time of rejoicing for Lubavitch which they called Didan Notzach (which basically means "our case won," implying that it was God who helped them win).

Elazar Shach

Rabbi Elazar Shach long-time leader of Lithuanian Judaism was involved in a number of public disputes with Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson the Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement from the 1970s through Rav Schneerson's death in 1994. Rav Shach accused his followers of false Messianism. When once asked which religion was theologically closest to Judaism, Shach responded "Chabad". Rabbi Shach also compared Chabad and Rabbi Schneerson to the followers of the 17th-century false messiah Sabbatai Zevi. Chabad representatives dismissed the comparisons, noting that whereas the Sabbateans deliberately violated religious laws on the assumption that a "new Torah" would emerge during messianic times, Chabad preached that only strict adherence to tradition would bring the redemption. Chabad also claimed that its veneration of the rebbe was not at odds with Jewish tradition.

Shach once described Schneerson as "the madman who sits in New York and drives the whole world crazy."

In addition to Rabbi Shach's objections to some Chabad members venerating Rabbi Schneerson as the Messiah (both before and after his death), the two also disagreed on various issues of Jewish law and philosophy, but particularly politics. Chabad strongly opposed peace talks with the Palestinians or to relinquishing any Israeli territory under any circumstance, while Rabbi Shach alternately supported both left and right-wing parties in the Israeli elections. During the 1988 elections, Schneerson encouraged Israeli Haredim to vote for Agudat Israel over Rabbi Shach's newly-formed Degel HaTorah party. In response, Shach's newspaper, Yated Ne'eman, ran several articles documenting various Chabad writings and statements that supported Shach's contention that Lubavitch was becoming a breakaway sect of Judaism focused around Schneerson as the Messiah.

Chabad characterized Rabbi Shach's opposition to Rabbi Schneerson as being personal in nature, and stemming from private disagreements between the two leaders, but Shach's supporters defended his harsh criticism of Chabad, saying the movement represented a very real threat of turning religious Jews to apostasy. There have been similar concerns regarding Chabad Messianism that have since been raised among Haredi and Modern Orthodox communities in Israel and the United States. It has also been pointed out that Rabbi Shach was equally outspoken on many positions and issues affecting Jewish life that did not relate to Lubavitch, and that his rhetoric regarding Chabad was consistent with his personality as a leader who strongly defended Haredi Jews against any perceived threats to their beliefs or lifestyle.

Chabad messianism

Chabad messianism is a belief by some within the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement that believe that the late Rabbi and leader of that movement Menachem Mendel Schneerson will be the Jewish Messiah. Adherents to this belief are termed Mishichist in Yiddish.

Before Schnerrson's death in 1994 a significant body of Chabad Hasidim believed that he was soon to be crowned as the Messiah - an event that would herald the Messianic Age and the construction of the Third Temple. Books and pamphlets were written containing purported proofs for the Rabbi's status as Messiah, some of which Schneerson opposed.

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.

His death in 1994 did not completely remove the messianist fervor. Some believers soon developed new rationales to justify the belief the Schneerson was the Messiah despite being dead. Some argued that he had in fact not died at all and was still physically present. Others argued that though he was dead Judaism did not rule out the possibility of the Messiah returning from the dead.

Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch started a split-off Chassidus, Anshei-Liozna. A group of dissident Chabad followers crowned him as their Rebbe in a ceremony on December 5, 1996 at their synagogue on 45th Street in Brooklyn.

Weinstock estate

The "Weinstock estate" case, that dragged through the courts for ten years, divided the highest levels of Chabad administration into two irreconcilable camps.

In 1978 Judah Leo Weinstock bequeathed a $32 million estate to the United Lubavitcher Yeshivot (ULY), a body that oversaw the funding of four Chabad yeshivas, under the direction of Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary. The donation had been solicited for the ULY by Rabbi Nachman Sudak, a Chabad emmsisiary in London. However, Weinstock had asked that the money be used to establish Yeshivas in Israel, something that ULY was not capable of. Gurary ordered that the monies be distributed evenly between ULY and Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch (MLC) which maintained Yeshivas outside the US. In 1987 a board of trustees (including Yehuda Krinsky) was established that distributed the money on a discretionary basis between ULY and MLC.

In October 1994, a few months after Schneerson's death ULY fell into financial troubles. The directors of ULY requested large sums from the trustees - eating into the principle of the estate. The directors of the MLC (some of whom were also trustees of the estate) objected to the requests, and the trustees of the estate refused to grant the money.

Furious, the directors of ULY began claiming sole title to the estate, based on a strict reading of Weinstock's original bequest. The ULY took the MLC to court, having failed to agree on a mutually acceptable Beit Din. The previously open relationship between the ULY, MLC and the trustees - while Schneerson was alive - complicated the case, as did the ambiguity in the bequest.

Litigation

Surrogate Judge Michael Feinberg dealt with the case from 1995, when the dispute surfaced until 2000 when he ruled that there had been clear intent to share the money equally between the two organizations, once united but now at loggerheads.

In 1997 the dispute had deteriorated, and a rival ULY board headed by Krinsky claimed to be the rightful representatives of ULY. Feinberg ruled that until the dispute could be settled Mario Cuomo would serve as the emergency receiver, a role he held till 2000. In 2000 Feinberg ruled that since the parties refused to attend any type of Beit Din or arbitration, he had to rule against the original board and for Krinsky since the original board had failed to cooperate with the court-appointed arbitrator. The judge noted that:

There were no questions about the administration of the estate or the proper recipient of the funds with Schneerson calling the shots. With the rebbe's death in 1994, this consensus broke down."

The ruling was a major blow for the messianist faction that controlled the board, known as the Vaad, though their lawyers welcomed the decision publicly saying that they could now appeal.

In a final judgement in November 2003, New York Supreme Court ruled that the original course of dealing before 1994 showed intent on behalf of the ULY to share the money evenly with MLC, and that course should continue. Thus, after nine years of litigation, the original ULY board lost their claim for complete control of the Weinstock estate.

Local controversies

Chabad Rabbis and activists have been involved in legal disputes with each other and with Jewish and non-Jewish people.

Europe

Czech Republic

In Prague in 2005 tensions developed between Chabad members and Rabbi Karol Sidon. The Alt-Neu Synagogue in Prague's ancient Jewish Quarter became the scene of an emotional dispute between members of the Chabad movement and locals backing Karol Sidon, chief rabbi of the Czech Republic. The conflict led to violent brawls and hospitalisations on a number of occasions. Sidon was eventually returned to his post. In 2004 Tomas Jelinek the director of the community council fired Sidon as Rabbi giving the post to young Chadad rabbi Manis Barash. A grassroots campaign from community members led to the deposition of Jelinek as the community director. Jelinek then asked a religious arbiter in Israel to rule on the case who ruled in favor of Barash. Sidon's supporters argued that the case was void since Jelinek had lied to the Judge telling him that the community board had been behind his actions in firing Sidon and appointing Barash. However on 21 November 2005 he was reelected as the chief Rabbi of the city following the protracted dispute with Chabad. Community head Jacub Roth told the press: " this is part of the local Chabad’s striving to take over the community’s religious life. We have seen an ugly foray of Chabad in their attempt to take over the Old-New Shul."

Lithuania

In May 2004, the Lithuanian Jewish community temporarily closed the Vilnius synagogue following a disorderly dispute in the synagogue between members of the Orthodox and the Chabad Lubavich Jewish groups. The community closed the synagogue again in August 2004, following another disturbance. The Government charged the leader of the Chabad Lubavich community with assault and trespassing in the second occurrence, but subsequently dropped the charges. The synagogue remained closed pending resolution of the community's internal disputes.

Sholom Ber Krinsky

Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky (nephew of Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky) the Chabad emissary to Vilnius has been embroiled in a number of scandals. His soup kitchen was closed down because it served contaminated food. A scandal erupted when charges were made that he had stolen money from donors. Creditors took over the first floor of his Chabad Center to cover unpaid debts, and he remains indebted to his creditors. He collected money to maintain the Jewish cemetery in the city but never paid the $25,000 to the community which was his share in the maintenance. The Joint Distribution Committee stopped providing him with funding in 2004 after they became aware of financial irregularities.

Krinsky styles himself as Lithuania's "Chief Rabbi", though this was not widely accepted. His attempts to become the officially recognised chief rabbi included having Yona Metzger – who has close ties to Chabad – write a letter to the Lithuanian President; he tried appealing to the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice, but this too failed. On February 29 2004, he held a meeting of 30 of his followers within the community and declared that they were the religious Jewish community of Lithuania. These people proclaimed him chief rabbi and documentation of the meeting was sent to the Ministry of Justice, but this failed to sway the government who maintained that choosing leaders was the prerogative of a religious community as a whole. In response 400 Jewish Lithuanians signed a document condemning Krinsky.

When the community appointed a Chief Rabbi, Chaim Burstein in early 2004 Krinsky and his followers began a campaign against him. In May 2004 some of Krinsky's followers attacked Burstein on the podium during prayers, and the police were called to break up what became a brawl. Burstein retreated to his home with some supporters to continue prayers but Chabad activists broke in and continued assaulting the worshippers.

The synagogue closed down and was reopened a few weeks later with security at the door to prevent the ingress of Krinsky and his friends. Krinsky attempted to enter and a brawl ensued. Krinsky told the press that the security made him "feel like I went through a Nazi selection." The synagogue was again closed for the duration of the summer, Krinsky and his Chabad followers maintained a angry vigil at the scene that was covered regularly by the local media.

Russia

A bitter rivalry has been ongoing in Russia for the past 10 years between Berel Lazar, chief rabbi for the Chabad-Lubavitch-dominated Federation of Jewish Communities, and Yevgeny Satanovsky, president of the pluralist Russian Jewish Congress, over who represents the Jews of Russia on an official basis. The Kremlin officially recognized Lazar as the religious leader of the Russian Jewish community, pushing aside the congress’s Rabbi Adolf Shayevich, who until then had occupied the post. Since the installation of Rabbi Berel Lazar as the Chief Rabbi of Russia by the Chabad Federation there have been a number of controversies associated with Chabad influence with premier Vladimir Putin, and their funding from various Russian oligarchs, including Lev Leviev and Roman Abramovich. Lazar is known for his close ties to Putin's Kremlin.

Putin became close to the Chabad movement after a number of non-Chabad Jewish oligarchs and Rabbis including Vladimir Gusinsky (the founder of the non-Chabad Russian Jewish Congress), backed other candidates for president. Lev Leviev, a chabad oligarch supported Putin, and the close relationship between them led to him supporting the Chabad federation nomination of Lazar as Chief Rabbi of Russia, an appointment that Putin immediately recognised despite it not having been made by the established Jewish organisation. Some have gone so far as to describe Lazar as Putin's Court Jew; Lazar responded to these allegations:

I do not know what a court Jew is. There are some people whose only purpose is to speak in condemnation of the government. I try to be objective. The situation in Russia has improved under Putin. People get pensions. The standard of living is rising. There are also negative phenomena, which deserve to be criticized. There is corruption at all levels, though that has been characteristic of Russia in the past 80 years. The reform is in bad shape and there are also many other ills.

Rabbi Adolf Shayevich, who had been Chief Rabbi of Russia until 1998, argues that the Lazar is merely the appointee of Chabad and that he remains Chief Rabbi. What happened, he explains, "has nothing to with religion and everything to do with politics and business. The president invites him to receptions and does not invite me. I am not offended."

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt who attempted to set up a rival rabbinical college to elect a non-Chabad chief rabbi was expelled from Russia by order of the government three days after he convened the meeting, after having lived in Russia for fifteen years. According to rival oligarch Vladimir Slutsker Goldschmidt told friends that it was Slutsker that had him expelled due to his opposition to Chabad. Lazer made no protest at the expulsion of his rival, and within says was appointed to Putin's "Public Chamber", a controversial body that human rights groups have criticised as a window dressing exercise, packed with Putin acolytes to "legitimize the government’s increasingly authoritarian policies".

According to an editorial in the Jerusalem Post the reason why Lazar has not protested Putin's arrests of Jewish Oligarchs and Goldschmidt's deportation is that "Russia's own chief rabbi, Chabad emissary Berel Lazar, is essentially a Kremlin appointee who has been made to neutralize the more outspoken and politically active leaders of rival Jewish organizations."

In 2003 while many around the world criticised the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky Lazar praised the action saying that "The future of the country shouldn’t be in the hands of one man who has money," Rival RJC chair head Yevgeny Satanovsky said that Lazar’s endorsement of the actions was intended to develop a role as the special Jew for Putin in order to strengthen the position of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which he said was built around the worship of Schneerson. Lazar responded that "it’s no secret that I have a very good relationship with the president."

Darkei Shalom synagogue

The Darkei Shalom synagogue is a major synagogue in northern Moscow. It was affiliated with Chamah, a religious and social welfare movement on behalf of former Soviet Jews with offices in New York and Israel, as well as Moscow. The spiritual leader of Darkei Shalom, Rabbi David Karpov, is a devotee of the late Lubavitcher rebbe, yet over the years he has distanced himself from FEOR, the Chabad rabbinical grouping in Russia that appointed and is headed by Lazar. Kaprov was telephoned by Lazar telling him that the synagogue was being gifted to the Chabad movement by its owners and that he would have to leave the synagogue, and resign his post to make way for the a new Chabad emissary. Lazar suggested that if he fell into line with FEOR he may be allowed to stay. At the same time Kaprov received court orders over various technical and administrative issues, which Kaprov argued were due to Lazar pressuring Kaprov. In an open letter to Lazar, Rabbi Adolph Shayevich and 16 other rabbis wrote:

We would like to express our deep disappointment and discontent with the recent attempt of FEOR to forcefully capture the Darkei Shalom Congregation, one of the most successful and respected Jewish congregations of Russia. This kind of attitude demonstrated by Rabbi Berel Lazar contradicts the spirit of Torah and is apparently based on typical methods deployed by Russian criminals.

Shayevich added in a statement to the press that "they already have too much money and power, and are using it to destroy all Jewish organizations which resist Chabad’s total domination of Russian Jewish life."

Putin Medal

At the sixtieth anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz at the concentration camp, Putin gave a controversial speech in which he failed to mention the death of Jews at the camp. His speech was followed by the presentation by Lazar of a medal honoring Putin, something that was not on the schedule for the event. Lazar lated defended his action saying that he "had no second thoughts".

Ukraine

Chabad maintain a Chief Rabbi in the Ukraine in opposition to non-Chabad Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich. A group of prominent secular Jews orchestrated the appointment of Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman - a Chabad messianist to rival Bleich and another Chabad rabbi, Azriel Haikin who had been appointed by Chabad in 2002. His election as Chief Rabbi by a group formed by some wealthy Jewish businessmen in October 2005, caused considerable controversy in the Ukraine Jewish community. Azman's election was endorsed by a group of secular Jewish leaders attending a Kiev Jewish conference, but not by any rabbinical authorities. A group of rabbis from the non-Chabad Russian Jewish Congress attacked the appointment describing it as "illegitimate" and "insulting to the feelings of every believer". 150 secular Jewish leaders from 100 Ukrainian cities and towns later protested the vote as well.

According to the Baltimore Jewish Times, More than 30 Chabad rabbis affiliated with the federation issued a statement Sept. 15 saying that the election of another Chabad rabbi, Moshe Reuven Azman of Kiev, to serve as Ukraine's chief rabbi was "illegitimate" and "insulting to the feelings of every believer. A chief Rabbi can be elected only by rabbis working in Jewish communities of that country," and argued that the election was invalid.

United Kingdom

Rabbinical Center of Europe

Chabad established a rival rabbinical grouping (called the "Center of European Rabbis") to the Conference of European Rabbis, the primary Orthodox Jewish rabbinical conference in Europe since the Second World War. The body is headed by Moshe Garelick a Chabad Rabbi from Milan. The executive director of the "Conference", Aba Dunner complained that the "center" was misrepresenting itself, deliberately confusing people and duplicating their work. Attacked their action as counter-productive he said:

What are non-Jewish government officials to think when one group has been dealing with them on the issue for years and then suddenly another group wants to negotiate with them on the same agenda? We believe in the old shtadlonus methods rather than in conferences with low-level diplomats which may provide headlines but accomplish nothing.

While the organisation was set up as a Chabad group, they removed all references to Chabad after a few months, the Chabad Headquarters in New York still listed it as a Chabad organisation. The use of the same initials as the more established non-Chabad organisation drew ire from many European Rabbis. The sister organisation of the "Center", the "European Jewish Community Center" used the initials EJC again similar to the initials of the European Jewish Congress - a major organisation with representatives in over 40 states. Cobi Benatoff, president of the European Jewish Congress siad "We will certainly be confronting Chabad about this issue, this way of misleading people is not the Jewish way."

United States

Pinchas Lew

Rabbi Pinchas Lew gained rabbinical ordination while on probation for the 1991 armed robbery. He subsequently moved to Chapel Hill in 1997 where on the instructions of Chabad leadership he set up a Chabad house, and was the shaliach to the University of North Carolina. After three years, news of his past came to light. Following the publication of Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America many in the community demanded he leave, particularly after it emerged that he had not paid any of the restitution money that the court awarded his victim. In a public meeting at the Duke University campus on May 16 2001 Lew refused to discuss the issue of restitution payments; this and press reports the victim had said that Lew had never apologised made some in the community uneasy. By this time Lew had five children, and used the name "Pinny Lew".

The Chabad movement appointed Lew as the emissary to Chapel Hill despite being aware of his past, according to Rabbi Yossi Groner (son of Leib Groner), the emissary in Charlotte. Groner noted that Lew was completely reformed, spiritual, remorseful and "is an excellent person."

In June 2001, Lew was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor offence of indecently exposing himself while touching his genitals to his Hispanic housekeeper on May 16, a few hours before he defended himself at the public meeting at Duke. On August 10 the case came to trial. The maid testified that:

. . .she and Lew were alone in the house on the morning of May 16. After cleaning the bathroom, she asked Lew for a new vacuum cleaner bag. When he came down the stairs, he was wearing a green bathrobe. After giving her a bag, he exposed himself to her, touched his genitals and asked, Do you like it? Lew then turned the bolt to lock the front door and exposed himself again to her in the foyer, asking, Do you like it?

Lew's attorney argued that the crime of indecent exposure does not apply on private property, and as that had been the police's initial charge the judge dismissed the case on a technicality. Following the case a Chabad Beit Din convened and ruled that Lew's position had become untenable and that he would have to retire, and he left his posting in November 2001.

Public Menorahs

The city of Burlington, Vermont denied the local Chabad chapter, headed by Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin permission to erect a Menorah in the city's main park during Chanukah. Raskin appealed the decision on two occasions after an initial hearing 1987 found the display to be unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The UCLA assisted the city of Burlington in a final appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1991, and the Menorah ban was upheld. A similar case occurred in Chicago in 1990, and the court found the same way, as did a court in Iowa in 1986. Another a similar case in Cincinnati had the same judgement, as did a case in Georgia.

A similar case in White Plains led to the Common Council unanimously rejecting the display of a Menorah in a public space in the town with the support of many Jews, affirming a local tradition of keeping parks free of religious and political displays.

In 1988, the American Jewish Congress produces a 28-page report, entitled "The Year of the Menorah", criticising Chabad's Menorah campaign and the litigation that went with it. It complained of the increase in the number of menorahs placed on public lands arguing that it was causing tension both within the community and with non-Jews.

Sholom Ber Levitin

In 1989, the chief Chabad emissary to Seattle Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin was convicted of being part of an international money laundering ring that headed by Israeli Adi Tal. Levitin defended his actions, saying that the proceeds were going to Israel: "I was motivated by my desire to help my brethren in need, with funds being transferred to Israel" Levitin, one of 11 charged, was sentenced to a $10,000 fine and a 30-day imprisonment.

Satmar-Chabad disturbances

On a number of occasions through the 1980s, Chabad and Satmar Hasidim became involved in violent brawls over various issues. In 1983 tensions were elevated and rioting ensued. Chabad spokesman Yehuda Krinsky blamed that Satmars saying that the attacks were "definitely Satmar. Lubavitch is a victim of brutal attacks by Satmar. Their record of terrorism goes on." In a letter to Time magazine he repeated his allegations, arguing that it was false to claim that both groups were guilty.

Israel

Involvement in Politics

As a non-political organisation Chabad are officially banned from involvement in political campaigns in Israel under Israeli election laws. However on a number of occasions Chabad has run campaigns that endorsed a candidate in an election, in 1988 and in 1996.

In 1988 Schneerson ordered his followers to vote for Agudas Yisroel to thwart his rival, Elazar Shach's party Degel haTorah's ambitions.

The Chabad movement, taking the lead of Schneerson, began organising right-wing political campaigns starting in the 1980s. Famously they endorsed Binyamin Netanyahu in the 1996 election with a poster campaign with the slogan "Netanyahu is good for the Jews."A The involvement of religious groups in endorsing candidates has been controversial in Israel, with left-wing politicians such as Shulamit Aloni bitterly criticising what she termed electoral interference. Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo, an ardent messianist is the most publicly political Chabad Rabbi organising a number of controversial political campaigns and calling for people not to celebrate Israeli Independence Day in response to Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan; he told a conference in Jerusalem that "the remedy for the disengagement is to understand that the State of Israel is a terrible thing. We should not bless or praise the state that was founded by criminals and heretics like Herzl."

In 1996 Meretz leaders asked the Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair to investigate the links between Chabad and the Likud party to see whether there had been any improper funding. In the 2006 election, Chabad declined to back any political platform. They also protested the fact that much of the funding for Chabad's pro-Netanyahu campaign had come from a foreign resident, Australian mining magnate Rabbi Joseph Gutnick

Shabtai Bloch

In 1998 a Chabad activist, Shabtai Bloch (born 1950) was arrested by Israeli police on suspicion of planning at attack on then Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu. According to Israeli army radio he had been a "central figure in the rigorously Orthodox Chabad movement". Bloch had planned to attack Netanyahu in the city of Safed, while the Prime Minister was visiting soldiers wounded in Lebanon. Bloch had been the leader of Chabad activists in Safed, and had planned to protest an Israeli troop withdrawal from parts of the West Bank than Netanyahu had authorised. Bloch had been active in Netanyahu's 1996 election campaign on behalf of Chabad and felt betrayed by the Prime Minister, according to the New York Times. According to the Jerusalem Post Bloch was one of the leaders of the Chabad movement in Israel". He was relased after 10 days under house arrest.

Elkana

A dispute of the constuction of a Mikvah in the West Bank settlement of Elkana led to a case being heard before the Israeli supreme court to determine whether or not Chabad were part of Orthodox Judaism. Chabad residents demanded the the local religious council build a double- Mikvah, per their requirements, but the religious council refused. All attempts to reach a compromise failed. The attorney for the local religious council made a statement on their behalf: "The local hassidim from Chabad are from a messianic cult and want to force the community to build the mikveh according to their specifications." The rabbi of Elkana who had made the decision defended his position: "I have ruled according to our custom on the mikveh issue. We are not a Chabad community and my ruling followed the rulings of outstanding rabbis throughout the generations."

Chabad Youth Organisation

The death of the director of the Chabad Youth Organisation in Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Madaintchek led to a power struggle between messianist and anti-messianists over the control of the group. The messianists were led by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Wilshansky, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Chabad Yeshiva in Safed, while the anti-messianists were led by Rabbi Yosef Y. Aharonov. Wilshansky took Aharonov to court to prevent him making material changes CYO's foundation documents, signatory rights, directors, and membership, or making any other fundamental changes. The petitioners claim that this is an attempt to illegally take over the group and Chabad in Israel in general.

Canada

Montreal Mikva dispute

In 1982 a new mikva was completed in Montreal intended for use by women and for conversions from Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews. The mikva was payed for by all quarters of the Jewish community. Rabbi Itche Meir Gurary, a local Chabad rabbi became director of the mikva. The orthodox community used other, exclusively orthodox mikvas to perform conversions, but pluralist stream were only able to use the community mikva. In March 2007 Gurary announced that the mikva would no longer be open for conversions. Reform and conservative Jews complained that this was merely a pretext to keep Conservative and Reform converts out. Conservative rabbi Lionel Moses argued:

This is a Chabad-based cabal, this is a community mikva built with community money. . .this co-operation still exists between modern Orthodox and non-Orthodox rabbis, and they have gone to bat for us. This is clearly a move by Chabad to interfere with community harmony.

Gurary responded that the non-Orthodox had "overstayed their welcome. If I let them in, I would have to compromise on cleanliness." Adding that non-Orthodox congregations should construct their own Mikvas.

Control of 770 Eastern Parkway

In recent years violence and legal suits have surrounded the question of who controls the main synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway. The synagogue is currently being run by a team of Gabaim who are elected by members of the Crown Height community every three years. For many years these people have been exclusively messianst and have set the tone for of the building. Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, as the financial head of many of chabad's power-structures - has taken the Gaboim to court be regain control over the building for the anti-messianist strand. In March 2007 Krinsky lost his case, as the gaboim demonstrated to the Judges satisfaction that they were indeed maintaining the synagogue. This partially overturned a 2006 ruling that Agudas Chasidei Chadad had complete control of the building. However the judge ordered that the case would have to go to a full trial to determine the true status.

2004 rioting

On December 15, 2004 a riot erupted in crown height between anti-messianists and messianists that led to scores of hospitalisations and arrests after the official movement attempted to install a plaque, noting that Schneerson was dead. Around 300 Lubavichers fought each other and the NYPD for over 5 hours. One rioter, Gil Schwartz explained the reasoning of the rioters: "He's alive - they are writing that the rebbe is dead!" Another rioter, Meyer Romano, during a court appearance the next day said: "The Rebbe is Superman and Yehuda Krinsky is Lex Luthor, you understand?"

2006 rioting

In November 2006 a riot occurred within 770 Eastern Parkway and spread to the streets outside. The Annual Conference of Shulchim had concluded that day, and when a group of out-ot-town emissaries attempted to gather in the main synagogue fighting broke out between them and the local messianists. Considerable damage was done to furniture within the building and there were a number of injuries. Police were called and asked to evacuate the building. Four of the rioters were arrested.

Moshe Rubashkin

The current head of the Chabad community in Crown Heights (a group colloquially known as the Gaboim, or beadles) who form the community's governing body known as the Vaad Hakohol, elected in January 2005 for a three year term is Rabbi Moshe Rubashkin, a convicted fraudster. During 2006 he was involved in a series of disputes with other members of the Vaad that led to physical fights during committee meetings on more than one occasion, arrests and court hearings for him and other members of the board.

Citations

1. see The Hasidic Movement and the Gaon of Vilna by Elijah Judah Schochet.
2. Nehora: Jewish Online Bookstore's Entry on Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
3. On learning Chassidus, Brooklyn, 1959, p.24
4. ^ Should Napoleon be victorious...": Politics and Spirituality in Early Modern Jewish Messianism, Hillel Levine, Jerusalem Studies in Jewish Thought 16-17, 2001
5. Kerem Habad, Kefar Habad, 1992, pp.17-21, 29-31 (Documents from the Prosecutor Generals archive in St. Petersburg
6. Napoleon u-Tekufato, Mevorach, pp.182-183
7. The vanishing American Jew: In search of Jewish identity for the next century, Alan Dershowitz, Boston, 1997, vi-vii
8. Napoleon and the Jews, Kobler, F., New York, 1976.
9. "Is Judaism a Theocracy?" by Yanki Tauber
10. ^ New book reveals darker chapters in Hasidic history, Allan Nadler, The Forward, August 25, 2006
11. Ehrlich, Leadership in the HaBaD Movement, pp. 160–192, esp. pp. 167–172
12. Rescued from the Reich, Bryan Mark Rigg, Cambridge University Press, 2005
13. The Messiah of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidim Past and Present, M. Avrum Ehrlich, Chapter 13, notes, KTAV Publishing, ISBN 0881258369
14. B. Sobel, The M’lochim
15. Ehrlich, Leadership in the HaBaD Movement, pp. 269–271
16. Jerome R. Mintz, Hasidic People, pp. 21–26
17. Basi L'Gani 1951
18. Likutei Sichos VOl II, pp.510-511
19. Pavzener, Avraham. Al HaTzadikim (Hebrew). Kfar Chabad. 1991
20. Frumer, Assaf. Kol Hanikra Bishmi (Hebrew)
21. Tanya, Likutei Amarim chapter 2
22. NY Times Case Transcript, 7 Jan. 1987
23. Agudas Chasidei Chabad of U.S. v. Gourary, 833 F.2d 431 (C.A.2 (N.Y.), 1987)
24. Rabbi Shach's political legacy (Jerusalem Post) November 7, 2001.
25. Summer of the Messiah (Jerusalem Report) February 14, 2001.
26. The Messiah of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidim Past and Present, M. Avrum Ehrlich, Chapter 10, notes, KTAV Publishing, ISBN 0881258369
27. "Dissidents Name 'Rebbe'," The Forward, December 6, 1996
28. ^ Preliminary hearing, Commercial Division, Part 2 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, 29th day of October, 2003
29. How a Hefty Fee for an Ex-Governor Went Unnoticed, Tom Robbins, The Village Voice, July 23 - 29, 2003
30. ^ Judge Hits Hasidic Group's Estate Claim, Bob Liff, The Daily News, October 02, 2000
31. Lubavitch Yeshiva case over, Shamais News Service, September 25, 2000
32. Decision of interest, Weinstock Estate, New York Law Journal, November 13, 2003
33. Jewish conflict turns violent: Community, Chabad vie to control Prague's Old-New Synagogue, Dinah A. Spritzer, The Prague Post, April 21, 2005
34. ^ S controversy, Sidon is reappointed as Prague chief rabbi, Spritzer, Dinah A, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 9, 2005
35. ' Little Jerusalem' shul battle heats up, Lev Krichevsky, Jerusalem Post, April 13, 2005
36. International Religious Freedom Report, US Embassy in Vilnius, 2005
37. ^ Developments in Vilna's Jewish Community in the Past 15 Years, Yated Ne'eman, December 12, 2004
38. Quarrels keep Vilnius synagogue closed, Milda Seputyte, The Baltic Times, September 02, 2004
39. ^ Rival Russian Jewish Leaders Lend Backing to Putin, Nathaniel Popper, The Forward, November 14, 2003
40. ^ No love lost, Yossi Mehlman, Haaretz, December 11, 2005
41. ^ Chabad Prize to Putin Spurring Debate Over Russian's Actions, Eric J. Greenberg, The Forward, February 4, 2005
42. Jewish media baron arrested in Moscow, Elli Wohlgelernter, Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2000
43. Cracked De Beers, Phyllis Berman Lea Goldman, September 15, 2003
44. Putin, Making a Gesture to Jews, Slips Into a Factional Morass, Michael Wines, New York Times, September 19, 2000
45. Russia’s decision to keep rabbi out for security reasons called ‘absurd’, Lev Krichevsky, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, November 22, 2005
46. Russia: Why was Moscow's Chief Rabbi deported?, Geraldine Fagan, Forum 18 News Service, October 7, 2005
47. Chief Rabbi of Russia Named to Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, FJC News, October 6 2005
48. Putin Names Rabbi To Advisory Body, The Jewish Week, October 7, 2005
49. Editorial, Jerusalem Post, June 2, 2005
50. ^ Hostile Takeover In Moscow? Critics of Chabad-led umbrella group angry as shul changes hands; AJCongress dragged into controversy, Walter Ruby, Jewish Week, April 1 2005
51. Critics of Chabad-led umbrella group angry as shul changes hands; AJCongress dragged into controversy, Walter Ruby, Jewish Week, April 1 2005
52. ^ Ukrainian community split over chief rabbi Phoenix Jewish News, Vladimir Matveyev, October 28, 2005
53. Recent election of third chief rabbi in Ukraine splits Jewish community, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, October 24, 2005
54. Chabad dispute escalates, Baltimore Jewish Times, October 21, 2005
55. ^ The Council of Jewish Rabbis Conference, Yated Ne'eman, July 23, 2005
56. Battling for Europes Jews (part 2) -In capital of European Union, Chabad wields great influence, Philip Carmel, JTA, April 20, 2005
57. ^ Cite error: The named reference lew was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
58. Rabbi's criminal record raises questions in community, Yonat Shimron, The News & Observer, May 18, 2001
59. ^ Judge drops assault charge, Yonat Shimron, The News & Observer, August 11, 2001
60. Rabbi leaves position, Yonat Shimron, The News & Observer, November 24, 2001
61. Mark A. Kaplan v. City of Burlington and Robert Whalen (12/12/89)United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, No. 89-7042; 891 F.2d 1024
62. Chabad-Lubavitch of Vermont v. City of Burlington, 936 F.2d 109 (C.A.2 (Vt.), 1991)
63. New Twist to Old Fight: Menorah in Vermont Park, Sally Johnson, New York Times, December 20, 1987
64. Lubavitch Chabad House, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 917 F.2d 341 (C.A.7 (Ill.), 1990)
65. Lubavitch of Iowa, Inc. v. Walters, 808 F.2d 656 (C.A.8 (Iowa), 1986)
66. Congregation Lubavitch v. City of Cincinnati, 923 F.2d 458 (C.A.6 (Ohio), 1991)
67. Chabad-Lubavitch of Georgia v. Miller, 5 F.3d 1383 (C.A.11 (Ga.), 1993)
68. White Plains Council Blocks Electric Menorah for Park, Lisa W. Foderaro, December 3, 1991
69. Menorah displays stir jewish rift, Miami Herald, June 14, 1987
70. Seattle Chabad website.
71. Four global money laundering operatives sentenced, Daily News of Los Angeles, March 18, 1989
72. Suspects from Los Angeles among those indicted in New Jersey, Los Angeles Daily News, March 26, 1988,
73. Jew cleared in beard-cutting case, Philadelphia Daily News, May 25, 1984
74. Attack on Rabbi brings anguish to Borough Park, Ari L. Goldman, New York Times, June 22, 1983
75. Letters to the editor, Time Magazine, August 01, 1983
76. Feeling Right at Kfar Habad, Arieh O'Sullivanm, Jerusalem Post, May 18, 1999
77. Thousands of delegates promise: "We shall not forgive", Dikla Gal-Ed, Makor Rishon, March 14, 2007
78. Meretz wants probe of Likud violations of 'Likud violations' of Party Funding, Evelyn Gordon, Jerusalem Post, July 4, 1996
79. Chabad to remain apolitical in elections, Mathew Wagner, Jerusalem Post March 2, 2006
80. Israeli Accused of Plot Against Netanyahu, New York Times, November 20, 1998
81. GSS arrests man suspected of planning to attack PM, Danna Harman, Jerusalem Post, November 20, 1998
82. Chabad Under Fire: Israeli activist released to house arrest in, Lawrence Kohler Esses, The Jewish Week, November 27, 1998
83. Is Chabad part of Orthodox Judaism?, Aviram Zino, Yediot Aharonot, May 29, 2006
84. Lawsuit exposes Chabad power struggle in Israel, Yitzhak Danon and Itamar Levin, Globes, 15 February 2006
85. ^ Community mikvah closes to people converting, David Lazarus, Canadian Jewiish News, March 21, 2007
86. ^ Lawsuit Over Chabad Building Puts Rebbe’s Living Legacy on Trial, Nathaniel Popper, The Forward, March 16, 2007
87. Court Accepted The Claim of The Gaboim, Chabad News Online, March 8, 2007
88. Who controls Lubavitch headquarters?, David Berger, Jerusalem Post, April 22, 2006
89. Rabbis riot in Crown Height, The New York Daily News, December 16 2004
90. Rough and Rebbe Brawler - I fight for Superman, Denise Buffa, New York Post, December 17, 2004
91. Shocking Vandalism of 770, Chabad Info News, November 21, 2006
92. Felon picked as leader, Glenn Thrush, New York Newsday, March 10, 2005
93. Felon Elected To Head Council in Brooklyn, E.B. Solomont, The Forward, Mar 18, 2005
94. Crown Heights Politics Takes A Drastic Turn For The Worse, Crown Heights News, July 1, 2006

Further Reading

• On the Spectrum of Messianic Belief in Contemporary Lubavitch Chassidism, David Berger
• Chabad and Messianism, Adam Dickter, Haddasah Magazine and Haddasah's apology for printing it.
• The Once and Future Messiah in Early Christianity and Chabad, Joel Marcus
• Dalfin, Chaim. Attack on Lubavitch: A Response, Jewish Enrichment Press, February 2002 (ISBN 1-880880-66-0)
• Yanover, Yori. Attack on Chabad Is Called Unredeemable The Forward

See Also

• Chabad Messianism
• Menachem Mendel Schneerson

• Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidism
• Hasidic Judaism in Europe
• Hasidic Judaism in Israel
• Hasidic Judaism in the United States
• Jews and Judaism-related controversies
• Hasidic Judaism