November 3 (2001)

Lubavitch, An Omnipresent Empire

By CHAIM SHNEIDER, HasidicNews.com Writer

Lubavitch is somewhat isolated from the other Hasidic groups. Lubavitch started at the town of Lubavitch in Russia about 150 years ago where the Author of the Tanye lived. He founded the Lubavitch school of Chasidus and passed it on to his posterity. Lubavitch was a rather small Chasidus before WWII. Yosef Yitzchak Shneirson, Lubavitch Rebbe at the time, survived the war and made it to the US soon thereafter. He died in 1949 and left no carry on the Chassidus. His son-in-law Menachem Mendel Shneirson was given the task of carrying on with the dynasty. He, unlike other Hasidic Rebbe's, was college educated and very well-read. He adopted a very mystical but independent approach to the concept of Chasidus. He in a sense reinvented it. He claimed to be just interpreting the "Older Rebbe's teachings. Practically speaking, though, he came up with an entire new model. Ultimately Chabad (a synonym to Lubavitch) developed into a very unique Chasidus.

Some of Chabad's unique characteristics are: Members do not necessarily live in a single close-knit community. On the contrary, they are encouraged to seek out lost souls across the US, Europe, Israel and Russia after the break of the Soviet Union. Chabad Hasidim speak English as a first language, not Yiddish. They do NOT wear the popular "Shtreimel" on Shabbas. They are exposed to secular culture a great deal, through various projects of Kiruv and elsewhere.

Shlichus is one of the very popular Chabad projects initiated by the Lubavitch Rebbe Menachem Mendel Shneirson. Male Yeshiva students at about age 18-19 would be sent all over the globe to teach jews about their heritage, set up local congregations, bring Kosher food, and build a Mikva. Getting people to put on Tefillin is one of the very common tasks every Shliach has performed at least once. If you go to the Western Wall, you'll always have a Shliach putting on administering the Tefillin to anyone interested.

Chabad never shied away from science and secular exposure like other Hasidic sects. Lubavitch Rebbe is the only Hasidic Rebbe that had received a college education. Chabad Hasidim are no different. Chabad welcomes the opportunity to explain to non-observant jews and non-jews alike the concepts of Judaism and Chabad. They don't shy away from the media and the public spotlight. They are literally everywhere. Every town that has more than a few jews, has a "Chabad house" or a local shellac's private house assumes the functions of a Chabad house. Chabad Hasidim are know for their kindness and amiability to everyone including people who are not Jewish at all.

In the 1980's, the Rebbe started talking about the arrival of Messiah and the revelation of God. Hasidim eventually became convinced that their Rebbe is the actual Messiah and that the redemption day, the day the Rebbe will reveal himself as the Redeemer, is near. In the 1990's this belief intensified and engulfed every element of the Lubavitch community. Hasidim literally believed that it's a matter of days or even hours. They would arrange special "crowning events" where Mashiach will be crowned, or Mashiach discussion groups. Hasidm believed that talking about Mashiach and about the Rebbe will expedite the Rebbe's revelation.

The Rebbe never explicitly claimed to be Mashiach. His manner of speech was always one of enigma and mysticism. He would talk about "lights" and "spirit" and other kabala-related subjects. It was therefore hard to detect anything concrete and absolute. If he did mean to say that he is Mashiach and has been sent by God to redeem his people, he certainly did not say it in an unequivocal fashion. He would, however, cheer on the crowd singing "We want Mashiach now" or even chanting "May out lord, teacher, master, the anointed king live forever".

When he became ill in the early 90's Hasidim were convinced that it's just a test of faith and a pre-revelation endurance. The Rebbe died in 1994 after being unconscious for several months. Fear and confusion gripped Chabad Hasidim worldwide. They didn't know what to make out of it. Some believed that the Rebbe isn't really dead. Mashiach lives forever; therefore, the Rebbe cannot be dead. Some Hasidim were seen dancing and chanting the abovementioned phrase at the Rebbe's funeral at 770 in crown Heights Brooklyn.

Most Hasidim, though, realized by then that the Rebbe is dead and will remain that way. They believed that the Rebbe was "capable" and worthy of being messiah, but the generation wasn't or didn't do enough to bring about the realization of his revelation and the people's redemption.

The Rebbe did not leave behind any children and Chabad Hasidim never appointed a new Rebbe. They believed their Rebbe was the seventh in the Chabad dynasty and the last. No one can or should succeed him. They appointed various people by the title of "Mashpia" (inspirer) but not as "Rebbe".