A number of months ago we featured a humorous video from Bardak, a duo of young talented frum producers of audio-visual material in Eretz Yisroel. While they seemingly took a break from their joint productions recently, Effy has been producing some fine videos of his own of late, I discovered.
I want to focus on two of the productions in particular, to share a look into the "Hillulah culture" that exists in Eretz Yisroel and elsewhere. It will give us an idea of what what this Sephardic, or Edot Hamizrach phenomenon, later joined by Chasidim (to one degree or another, some more, some less) was and is like. Getting a good look at it will also give us a better understanding of, and insight into those גדולי ישראל and עדות הקדושות who decided that it was not in accordance with their Litvish or Ashkenazic way of Yiddishkeit (basically all non Chasidic Ashkenazim).
First, on י"ד אייר was the Hillulah of R. Meir Baal Hanes. Effy was there on that day, and gave us a good view of the scene. It seems that not many Ashkenazim partake in it, and that it is much smaller than the goings on in Meron a few days later, on ח"י אייר.
At Meron, Effy visited a few days before ל"ג בעומר, before massive crowds arrived, enabling a good look at the background of the large event, in a relaxed atmosphere.
One can easily discern how things like the camping out, eating, drinking, making merry, and the hawking of easy "ישועות", are foreign to a Litvishe or Ashkenaz type of mindset.
May הקב"ה help us serve him in truth, וטהר לבנו לעבדך באמת, and in safety and tranquility.
Just want to share this Gimmel Tammuz thought with the Chevra. One of the Rebbe's controversial opinions was that unlike the Exodus from Egypt in which 4/5 of the Jews died, every single Jew will be redeemed when Moshiach comes. As I see it, this is contrary both to Rabbi Miller's position and to empirical logic. Last week's Geulah issue discussed this point and also gave a source which I'll quote, "As a verse in Prophet Samuel states, "No Jew will be left behind." This seemed vague and so I decided to ask a Lubavicher with whom I'm friendly to clarify. He told me that he'd look up the exact Posuk, but then he assured me that the Rebbe has a Sichah which explains all his sources. I told the Rabbi that he's just providing sources to prove what he already believed. I gave him the following Mashal, "When the Supreme Court tackles an issue, invariably the conservative judges vote accordingly, as do the liberal judges. Yes they present long dissertations to support their contentions, but ultimately they've decided what they want the truth to be and then rule in line with their bent." After hearing this he was "Mamash" (pun intended) shaking. He reiterated, "But the Rebbe has a Sichah." And I told him, "It's a Sichah to prove his opinion, but I don't give a ... about his opinion."
ReplyDeleteI have not looked into that, but overall, it seems that if one wants to put such a thing under scrutiny, it should be examined inside. Otherwise, important info can be missed. As the saying goes, אותיות מחכימות. One can still differ with it, if there is a basis to, but just make sure to have the information and details correct first.
DeleteI'm quite surprised that no one here seems aware of the Gemorah that explicitly states the exact opposite - almost no one will merit experiencing the upcoming Geulah.
DeleteHere's a quote from Sanhedrin 111A -
תניא רב סימאי אומר, נאמר ולקחתי אתכם לי לעם, ונאמר והבאתי אתכם, מקיש יציאתן ממצרים לביאתן לארץ, מה ביאתן לארץ שנים מששים ריבוא, אף יציאתן ממצרים שנים מששים ריבוא. אמר רבא, וכן לימות המשיח, שנאמר וענתה שמה כימי נעוריה וכיום עלותה מארץ מצרים
רש"י -
וכן לימות המשיח - שלא ישארו מכל ששים רבוא אלא שנים.
Thank you Chaim for providing that Gemara, but you have to understand that Lubavichers don't care what the Gemara says if it's at odds with the Rebbe's opinion. I related this incident to Rav Moshe's grandson and he told me to ask the Rabbi to teach me the Sicha. It's more than a week and I'm still waiting. I like this person but he knows that I'll likely tear the Rebbe's proofs apart. I was told by someone I trust that Rav Noach Weinberg met the Rebbe in the 50's and called him a Kofer. I've pretty much come to the same conclusion based on the evidence that's out there.
DeleteIf that story is accurate, I wonder what happened at that meeting, what prompted that remark. Context is important. I suspect that there may have been some fireworks there. ;-) R. Noach z"l was no shrinking violet.
DeleteThe person who told me this is a Baal Tshuva who became religious thru Aish Hatorah so that's how he heard this. Apparently the Rebbe tried to convince Rav Noach that the only way to be a Jew is thru Chabad and this is what infuriated Rabbi Weinberg
DeleteOne surfire method to learn which ranbonim were opposed to Chabad is to check which ones the Chabad community resents. And R Noach is high on that list.
DeleteAlong the same lines it's interesting to note how Lubavich demonizes any one who challenges them. About Dr. Berger they say that he was a failed academic who needed to have a book published to maintain his standing. And Rav Shach hated Chabad because he was passed over for a teaching position on a Chabad Yeshiva. Worth noting is that R Hershel Schachter took a serious swipe at Chabad in his Dvar Torah on Parshas Balak which he entitled Moshiach,Moshiach,Moshiach. The Rosh Yeshiva noted that Rambam said that Moshiach will be completely unknown until his identity is revealed. You'd think that Lubavichers who are such experts in Rambam would know that. You know what they say,"Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind's made up."
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