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Op-Ed: Taking Stock of Where We Stand

by Anonymous

There is a tendency within Chabad to be quick to call out and put down another sector of the orthodox community when something is being done within Chabad that one may not approve of. For example, a report on someone taking a hard stance on Tznius usually results in comments such as “who do you think we are, Satmar?”

An article that may contain photos of individuals who are not dressed to Chabad standards usually result in a barrage of comments about how ‘they think they’re modern orthodox’ – with additional colorful language and comments added for good measure.

If you take a step back and think about this more, these comments are distasteful, hurtful, and plain out arrogant to to these other streams of Orthodoxy. There certainly seems to be a total lack of understanding by these commentators, on what Modern Orthodoxy is about. Many young people in Chabad think that they can dress provocatively and without any class, and align themselves with Modern Orthodoxy whilst at the same time being Chabad.

What they don’t understand is that the way many modern orthodox people dress is correct according to their interpretation of Halacha, and their Hashkafa. Additionally, these Modern Orthodox folks still learn Torah, have Midos, Ahavas Yisrael and a flare for Yiddishkeit. Many of our fellow ‘modern Chabad’ are missing many of those components.

Of course there are issues within Modern Orthodoxy, just like there are in Chabad, and for that matter, every stream of Judaism. But, it’s about time to start reflecting on our issues, looking in, instead of always looking out and pointing fingers, and casually name bashing other legitimate streams of Orthodoxy, all trying to get to the same place – to serve Hashem.

Sitting a few days away from Rosh Chodesh Elul, it’s time to reflect and realize that no, we are not G-D’s gift to mankind – there are other forms of Orthodoxy that we don’t have to constantly put down. We have some major issues within Chabad, and it’s about time we took stock of them and made the changes we need, in order to inspire the next generation.

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21 Comments

  • G-d-a gift to mankind

    you missed the point.WE are not G-d’s gift to mankind, but CHASSIDUS CHABAD IS.now if we would just please not mess it up with our own narishkeiten,maybe Moshich would come already.

  • You forgot to mention...

    That the MO are very machmir in things that we are not like Lashon Horah, Brachos, and Bentching to name a few.

  • 2 # 2

    2 #2 are u saying that lubavitchurs are not carful about brachos and bentching cuse that ud b lieing

  • 100%

    When I came to CH, I was made to believe that Chabad was the one and noly one derech. I just need to open my windows to see otherwise

  • Calmed yet frustrated

    I want to thank you for bringing some form of comfort about being a Jew. If one group thinks they are better than another, then I think we are in trouble. The entire world can not be one way only. It’s those who think their way is THE way that sounds arrogant and ignorant to many of us. How is it that some Jews put down Christians who say they (Jews) will not “be saved”, because they are not “believers”, yet those same Jews put down other Jews who do not do things their way. I swear, sometimes I cringe at the lack of thought and understanding from some of “our own”.

  • total mix!

    You are mixing up a few issues.

    you fail to distinguish peoples behavior to our hashkafah and shitah and outlook on the klal.

    yes, we should be positive and look to learn from others etc… At the same time, there is a Rebbe who leads Chabad, and he is crystal clear in the sichos of what we are all about.

    So, as I said before, perhaps these sites are not the place for everyone to vent and bring out more negativity and more confusion in one way or another.

  • WITH THE OLD BREED

    I have a question. Is crown heights Lubavitch? there are shuls, Yeshivas, Mikvahs, but is it running on a empty tank of gas? Does any one know how many of our children are off? instead of trying to walk on someone eles side of the street.Let us look inwards no matter how is maybe at least let us be honest.

  • Emes!

    This is Emes la’amiso! I have been cringing to say this forever, this should be our motto essay. We are different, we are great, but we aren’t better. We do what we do like Satmar does what they do and like litvaks do what they do, and we all accomplish beautiful things. Its about time we start supporting each other, because we are all on the same boat. Golus. The only way to make Geulah happen, is to drive that boat together.

  • BREAKING NEWS

    There is no such heter for “modern” all it really means is I don’t keep those mitzvohs that don’t suit me (at the moment). Tznius is NOT a satmar or neturei karta custom. it is a straightforward DIN in KITZUR SHULCHAN ARUCH. Any so called Rabbi that gives so called heterim for pritzus will have to give a din v’cheshbon for tearing down yidden and yiddishe homes and ultimately yidden as a nation. Keeping the Torah is what has kept us thru thick and thin and made us survive. And, just for the record, these women that walk around half dressed look cheap and vulgar and in a word UGLY. This is especially true with pregnant women who walk around with the tightest tops. They should know that they look absolutely REPULSIVE.

  • #17 - you miss the point

    I believe you are missing the point. Many ‘Modern Orthodox’ are clearly within Halacha according to their interpretation and their Hashkafa. Many Chabad people who try to imitate, are likely not, according to OUR interpretation.

    And between me and you, don’t try kid yourself. The way some of these people dress is actually rather attractive, and it’s upto us men to guard our eyes.

  • Them vs. Us????

    I just think that comments such as “who do you think you are, Satmar” are immature. And I think that men and women even in their senior years can be immature. They might have families, they might daven every day, they might have jobs, etc. However, their spiritual maturity is delayed or undeveloped. I don’t believe a true chosid expresses in such an immature way. In fact, I’m sure not.

  • Thank you

    There’s such a thing as judgementalism . It does not flatter the “judge”. It makes the “judge” appear arrogant, unintelligent, unspiritual, immature. If you want to appear as such, keep judging. If you want to appear smart, sensitive, spiritual, do not judge. Rather, be an inspiration, someone who represents us well. Be someone whom the Rebbe himself would have trust in to represent us. Thank you.

  • Chosid?

    I wonder how many can say “You are welcome” to #20.I agree folks are expressing a very immature, undeveloped spirituality when they judge others. (meaning they put down others because they are not like them…) I do not think a TRUE Chosid (one who expresses rachmonos,love for every Jew, or a basic respect for others) is one who expresses a hateful, vindictive, superior, ignorant feeling for others. Did anyone ever hear the Rebbe say negative and mean-spirited things about Yidden who had a different way from his?