We are now approaching what is called פרשת זכור, a time of our year in which the theme of remembrance is additionally prominent. Although of course, it is important through the year, as much of our faith involves matters of זכירה.
Our great Rabbis have taught us that forgetfulness reigns after a year has passed. קל וחומר, all the more so, when thirty years have passed since an event. Therefore there is a need to occasionally revisit certain things, to remember them, and to protect historical accuracy from some who may attempt to obscure, obfuscate, if not outright deny or falsify, important facts.
There are many young people today who were not alive, or were just young children at the time, and they therefore don't understand the background of some of the positions promulgated by our great גדולי ישראל, such as The Brisker Rav, Maran Harav Schach זצוקללה"ה, זי"ע, and so many others, with regard to very necessary and vital distancing from Chabad-Lubavitch, that prevail and reverberate to this day. Therefore we are indebted to Chabadinfo.com for sharing with us this great video coverage of a major messianic event that occurred at their headquarters in 5753/1993, involving messianic proclamations, satellite connections to other countries, unveiling of special messianic artwork, appearance of their Rebbe following a stroke on a 770 balcony, in addition to the messianic frenzy in Chabad-Lubavitch at that time in general, including general media reports, that bring the matter to life, and show the prevailing mood and context there then.
Some highlights in the video -
Lubavitcher leader Shmuel Butman, longtime head of Lubavitch Youth Organization, and cousin of the late last Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, is MC of the event.
Reb Yoel Kahn, prominent Chabad-Lubavitch theologian and teacher, is seen proclaiming his late Rebbe as Moshiach with a display of vigorous certainty. He states that he does not say אם ירצה השם as he is 100% certain.
A young Berel Lazar, head of Chabad-Lubavitch in Russia, who Lubavitch claims and promotes as "Chief Rabbi of Russia" (though that is disputed), promoting his late Rebbe as Messiah, and bellowing יחי אדוננו וכו.
The late Rebbe appears on a balcony of the hall.
Chicago channel two TV report on Moshiach beepers and messianic frenzy overall.
Barry Cunningham reports for Channel 11 TV, also on Moshiach beepers and Moshiach frenzy.
Eyewitness News Channel 7 report with Bill Beutel and Harry Martin.
Reb Yudel Krinsky, longtime Chabad-Lubavitch spinmeister, attempts some damage control.
An Israeli tv report on the happenings.
Reb Leibel Groner, and other prominent members of the group.
Watching this with your own eyes, and seeing the messianic hysteria and frenzy then, which continues widely to this day, to some degree or another, within Chabad-Lubavitch, is helpful even for those who were around then. But all the more so, for those who didn't see it when it actually took place.
May הקב"ה help us remember what needs to be remembered, including, for such terrible debacles, fiascos, and failures, what actually happened, so as not to repeat dangerous errors, or support those that try to keep them alive, rather than leaving them dead and buried.
א פרייליכען חודש אדר
