Too many naive people seem to think (a notion promoted by the Chabad propaganda apparatus) that Lubavitch is always there to help anyone around the world needing help, with a smile and happiness, if they are traveling, a family member runs into trouble, and so on, with no strings or cost attached. The reality is somewhat different, however, and people should be aware of that. Of course, the Lubavitch propaganda people will try to hide it, as they do with other problematic aspects of Chabad, but sometimes things have a way of getting through, and the truth comes out.
Of course, in general, people should stay away from Chabad Houses overall. Although Lubavitchers like to make people think that kosher travel is impossible without resorting to the outposts of their faith, in reality, Jews have been on the road for thousands of years, way before the founding of Chabad-Lubavitch. As the old Yiddish saying goes, א איד גיט זיך אן עצה, a Yid figures out a way how to do things. It is very possible to travel in a kosher and halachic way without Chabad houses, as has been done for generations upon generations. Also, there are ב"ה proper Orthodox Shuls around the world where people can daven that are not affiliated with them (and if in a place where there is no regular such group, one can at times bring together people for a minyan, with the help of modern technology, וד"ל ). The fact that some people today fall for their propaganda that one cannot travel without resorting to Lubavitch, shows the laziness, ignorance, and naivete of too many.
As we are now in a season when some people are planning trips before the start of the new school year, and the approach to 5784, it is an appropriate time to remind people of this.
May הקב"ה watch over us, and help us be safe both spiritually and physically, wherever we may find ourselves.
א גוטען חודש
I respect her honesty. The only thing I'd question is her contention that they're spreading Judaism. No one will convince me that you can go to a location where the majority are intermarrieds and make any actual inroads.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that the Shluchim really believe they're accomplishing something or are they just following the party line?
ReplyDeleteTotally don't get the gripe here. BMG also has signs in the dining room that the food being served is only for Bochurim and no one else may take. Chabad shluchim do not claim to be running free hotels for tourists and do not refer to themselves as hachnosas orchim centers. They do in fact offer SOME assistance to people who end up in those areas so don't pretend otherwise. This should be self understood but since apparently some do not, a letter was put out to make things clear along with other valuable travel tips for those who may need them.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is that Chabad Lubavitch propaganda promotes the notion that their agents around the world are selfless angels, who always smile, help anyone at anytime, and never complain. Therefore the post linked to, and also especially the comments following it, are an important corrective, to show the resentments of many of the Chabad folks, that the reality is not as glamorous as they would like you to think, and that they want to be paid. So people who think that they are getting a bargain by going to Chabad Lubavitch when they travel should know that there are significant strings attached and that they are paying a heavy price, spiritually and physically by going to such places. Just like people should not take liberties while on vacation such as swimming in hotel mixed swimming pools, so too they should not take liberties by going to other places they would not normally go to, even if there is a guy there with a long beard. It is quite possible to travel without Chabad, and that is what should be done, if one is on the road.
DeleteMany years ago when I was learning in Eretz Yisroel various organizations (non of them were Chabad affiliated) would go around by the kosel trying to get secular Jews to attend a Shabbos meal by a frum family, it was well known that if a Yeshiva bochur learning in a place like Brisk that did not give meals would approach them saying he has nowhere to eat can he go to one of their hosts, he would a get a "no". The sentiment expressed for why not was about the same as in this letter. That does not detract in the slightest from those organizations or the people who agreed to host for them.
ReplyDeleteDavening without a Minyan is definitely preferable to davening in a Chabad house. No question about it.
ReplyDeleteפשוט עד מאד ואוי לנו שכך עלתה בימינו להסתפק בדבר פשוט כזה.
ובלא"ה הרי בין כך לא נחשב כמתפלל בציבור וד"ל.
What of it's a Chabad House but most of the people aren't Lubavichers?
DeleteIt is still under control of Chabad, is run according to their direction, philosophy, nusach, contains a library of their books, plays their movies, videos, celebrates holidays of the Chabad faith, etc. So it is still a Lubavitch House even if (temporarily?) non-Chabad visitors are the majority.
DeleteThis is not exactly on the subject but I just read Rabbi Adlerstein's article in cross-currents in which he Paskened that the Chabad paradigm is correct. I never heard of him before. I'd appreciate some feedback.
ReplyDeleteI saw that piece. It was sad to see how an intelligent and articulate fellow like that (R. Adlerstein is an adam chashuv, but he is not considered a poseik) fell for the Chabad-Lubavitch propaganda. But it was not that surprising, as it is basically ubiquitous and incessant. Most typical people are bombarded with it, and it can be difficult to see beyond and behind. That is why outlets like this and similar others are so important, as we monitor them with a critical eye, and point out their scams to protect the naive and unsuspecting public.
ReplyDeleteTo the credit of him and the site, they did publish some hard hitting comments there taking strong issue with his piece, however.
The problem with most people is that they think in black and white. That putting on Tefilin is a nice idea doesn't mean that the Chabad Mehaleich is correct or that the Rebbe is Gadol Hador. Moshe and Bezalel debated how to build the Mishkan. Bezalel said to first erect the structure and then the vessels.This means that one must first understand what Judaism is about before doing the Mitzvas. Chabad doesn't care if people ever understand what they're doing. It's not worthless but it's at best Dieved.
ReplyDeletenaseh v`nishma
Delete