Yom Kippur Katan - To Say or Not To say?

 There is a minhag some have to say special tefillos (some fast as well) on the day before ראש חודש (on some months it is omitted, e.g. when it is during a Yom Tov, e.g. חנוכה ), as part of Yom Kippur Katan, a custom from the Kabbalistic circle of Tzefas centuries ago.

One sees advertisements in publications at times, calling for observance of this minhag, on the recommendation of Maran Sar HaTorah, Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l.

What is interesting, however, is that Rav Chaim himself did not observe it. As reported in the fine Artscroll version of his great work ארחות יושר (p. 458), he followed (as in many other things) the practice of his uncle the Chazon Ish, who did not observe it.

א גוטען חודש

Chabad-Lubavitch & McDonald's

Chabad-Lubavitch just concluded its kinnus hashluchim.

It is a major part of their PR and advertising, particularly the banquet. They use it to portray themselves as a large organization, with wide range, classy, professional, mainstream Orthodox, universally accepted, and so on.

Many people, unfortunately, fall for their act. The more alert and knowledgeable, however, will notice the multiple lapses evident, whether webcasting that dropped while in progress, mispronunciations, messianism, and more. And the lack of gedolei Yisrael there, while press, politicians, and machers are well represented.

A less knowledgeable observer can go away feeling that Chabad-Lubavitch is the leading Jewish movement, that is everywhere. Which is what they want you to believe.

But there is really another way it should be viewed. Like McDonald's.

McDonald's is the world's largest restaurant chain by revenue, we are told, serving customers in over one hundred countries, with over forty thousand outlets. But people in the know are aware, that no matter how ubiquitous it may be, or may seem, it is neither classy nor healthy. Those that want fast food, and people of less means, may patronize it, but people with more education and class shy away from going there. 

The same goes for Chabad, which operates similarly to the business franchise model of McDonald's, where a central organization provides logos, promotional matter, marketing assistance, and so on. Like McDonald's, it too provides an inferior product, which it sells to the spiritually ignorant and indigent. The main market for Chabad Lubavitch shluchim are ignorant Jews, as is well known. Overall, the more Jewishly educated a person is, the less likely they are to attend Chabad.

So keep that in mind the next time you see a Chabad fast religion franchise. And give it the same treatment you would give to a McDonald's you pass. Keep on moving, giving it a wide berth.

Neo-Chasidic Desecration of Cemeteries

In another inversion of Jewish tradition, to go along with their Tisha Be'Av kumzitzes, and festive Selichos before Rosh Hashanah, Neo-Chasidim have taken to - ר"ל - desecrating cemeteries, in particular resting places of great Jewish leaders, traditionally places of quiet repose, serious contemplation, and prayer, turning them into places of singing, music, and even dancing at times.

Here, we see a recent clip of such activity, with one of the leading Neo-Chasidus leaders, Rebbe Moshe Weinberger, of Woodmere, New York, USA, at a cemetery in ארץ ישראל. This is just a very recent example, by the way, but by no means the only one, as this antic has been already observed for a while among them during their various tours, including singing at the kever of the Chasam Sofer a while back, with accompanying guitar strumming and dancing.

Once again, we see how their claim that they don't change anything in Jewish practice, that they rather just add flavor and meaning, is false. This group is violating ancient traditions and halachos, with seemingly near impunity. They must be held accountable for these breaches. If they are not, who knows where they will end up, ר"ל. 

Let them try such things at places like the kevarim of the Satmar Rebbe(s), Gerrer Rebbe(s), Bobover Rebbe(s), or even Lubavitcher Rebbes, and see what happens. I think they would get a rude awakening, and a strong lesson in proper traditional cemetery behavior.

May הקב"ה send to them a spirit of repentance, a רוח תשובה, so they return to traditional Jewish practice. If that does not happen soon, Jewish leaders, rabbonim, and even laypeople, should make it very clear to them and the public at large that such deviations are not acceptable, and that they will be held accountable for them.

Chabad Messianist Saves Stranded Breslov Van

Na-Nach-Nachman Me'Uman Breslov van gets stuck in rugged terrain, yellow flag flying Lubavitch meshichist pulls him out.

Numerous interesting comments on this intriguing episode.

Seems that there is a Breslov teaching that one day the whole world will be Breslov. And Chabad tries to sell their way to all. But Reb Yisroel Dov Odesser, founder of the Na-Nach Breslov, allegedly said that Chabad is sheker. Breslov seeks out kivrei tzadikim to visit, while Chabad generally does not (outside their own leaders).

An encounter of two of the most aggressive, fringe, competing Hasidic groups has a nice ending.