Manis Friedman is a prominent, senior shliach of the Chabad-Lubavitch faith, representing them out of Minnesota, USA, for decades. He has a significant presence online. Like other representatives of that sect, who routinely go to far away places, and before audiences of people with meager knowledge of Judaism, posing as knowledgeable rabbis. The poor Jews (and gentiles) they target, to a great degree, woefully ignorant of true Torah Judaism, are too often fooled by the long beards and attire of the Chabad-Lubavitch agents. This is an old problem. Some people are unaware of it, others may just want to ignore it. But sometimes a problem gets so large that it must be addressed.
ב"ה, thank G-d, we have great genuine Torah leaders like Rav Aharon Feldman שליט"א, who has courageously called out and exposed Manis Friedman for his terrible dangerous deviations from the Torah (click to hear).
That alone is very important. However, people should realize that this problem is not limited to Manis Friedman alone. There are multiple other cases of Lubavitchers (e.g. Shmuley Boteach, Chaim Rapoport, Shlomo Litvin, etc., who have done such things. Another Lubavitcher attempted to defend Friedman, but fell quite short. And where is the establishment Chabad-Lubavitch HQ here, of Krinsky, Kotlarsky, et al, who claim to oversee their shluchim? Anyone hear a peep from them?
We also see clearly from this that the problems with Chabad-Lubavitch are by no means limited to their Xtian like beliefs regarding their late last leader. Their theology in general, and their activities cannot be assumed to be acceptable just by avoiding the Messiah issue (if that would be possible). Rather, no, they cannot be relied upon, and should be avoided across the board. Those interested in true Torah Judaism should rather consult a competent non-Lubavitch authority.
The last paragraph concisely captures the root of a problem which cannot be overemphasized. From its very outset, Chabad theology differed significantly from mainstream Judaism and has only been more radicalized over time. The Messianic inclinations we see now did not happen in a vacuum.
ReplyDeleteP.S Even their fellow traveler Rabbi Efrem Goldberg debated Manis Friedman over his assertions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSWXg7UnHAY&t=1800s
There was a reason why the GR"A opposed Chassidus and the Tanya. He saw, all the way back at that time, where the teachings of Chabad would lead.
ReplyDeleteDid the GRA only oppose Chabad Chassidus or all Chassidim?
DeleteI'm glad you brought this subject to the public's attention. The simple truth is that Manis Friedman and the others are simply covering up the Rebbe's heresy. The Rebbe announced that Moshiach(himself?) will save every Jew. The problem is that the Gemara in Cheilek clearly states otherwise. So, Chabad is forced to invent all types of lies to "prove" that the Rebbe's statements jibe with the Torah. Several months ago, one fellow, (he wouldn't admit to being Chabad but this is their Hashkafah) fought me tooth and nail that every single Mechallel Jew is a Tinok Shenishba.
ReplyDeleteI challenged him with Alan Dershowitz who openly admits that he walked away from Judaism at the age of 29. This clown told me that Rabbi Kook said that even he's a Tinok. The first letter of Lubavich is "L" it stands for liar.