in other words

Chabad-lubavitch is one and entirely the same thing for starters. Its not the wal-mart of Jewish life, yet it is a mega phenomenon that keeps growing at a remarkable rate, by entering the underserved areas, and by assessing the lack of basic services by certain well-funded organizations, and in turn providing, the all important services.

Growth provides the impetus and resources for additional growth. Wal-Mart provides better pricing by employing cost saving techniques such as outsourced product labor, wholesale, and the like. And Wal-mart provides long overdue relief for all those not in the first income bracket, so-so much for wal-mart.

Chabad on the other hand has intentionally defined Judaism upwards, the aim being to attract participants and to maintain for them at least a tenuous connection to Judaism. In the process, there is often the further strengthening of existing religious institutions as well as the acceptance – it is more then tolerance – which of course should be accepted in orthodox religious life. Like we say every morning in our prayers “viahavta lereacha kamoicha” without differentiating if one is religious or not.

This aspect of chabad was displayed recently at the annual gathering in crown heights, which yes – is a section of Brooklyn, several thousand “shluchim” (the movements field workers), in an event for which the description “impressive” is greatly inadequate.

The keynote speaker was none other then Alan dershowitz, a choice that accords with familiar societal instinct to idolodize respected and widely published authors, and as he is the perfect example of a Jew who has witnessed the startling growth of Jewishness, in this instance at his very own alma mater, Harvard. A bastion of liberal and agnostic thinking. The point is that dershowitz can say and believe whatever he wants. It’s for history to decide whether his extended fame will leave a fingerprint on law, “society” and Jewish life.

IT IS RIGHT and understandable in the world of chabad lubavitch to highlight a person who was made comments such as ”The great paradox of Jewish life is that virtually all of the positive values we identify with Jews — compassion, creativity, contributions to the world at large, charity, a quest for education — seem more characteristic of Jews who are closer to the secular end of the Jewish continuum than to the ultra-Orthodox end.” And yet attend the shluchim convention and acknowledge that yes – there is an ultra orthodoxy he can relate to. Without any self-deception towards any of his other beliefs.

It is not an isolated incident and there is nothing to excuse, and there are no lapses of judgment. Chabad is on a roll and, like others on a roll there is the need for introspection periodically, for the pause of foresight. Which every shliach does do periodically.

Chabad telethons and fundraisers raises the bar and statues of an organization, that looks at the whole world as it’s playground, and not only the skin on its nose. All of chabad run’s today as it was fashioned, and bares an uncanny resemblance to the objective that the rebbe fought for his whole life.

Chabad is today one of world Jewry’s largest organization’s, and quickly closing the margin on the competition, in its ranks are people of intellectual weight, and if you know who to ask and where to look, you will find internal discussion that centers on the need to follow rabbi schneerson’s instructions the T, due to the implications of the unfortunately changed and highly assimilated American Jewish landscape. There is no discussion of whether there are limits to permitting chabad synagogue regulars to drive to shul on shabbos, for the answer is an assertive no. The problem of intermarried couple’s and their children are addressed on a case-by-case basis.

These issues are relevant to Chabad as they are to the rest of Jewry!! These aforementioned standards are unshakably decided in chabad. If there is a discussion anywhere else then I smell a rat.

MY HOPE is to encourage lubavitchers, and to comfort them in the thought that you follow a well-lit path, there is nothing to discuss. There are countless acts of kindness, as well as vital services provided to Jews across the religious spectrum that have nowhere else to turn. Chabad is rightly praised for its multitude of good deeds.

Judaism is not a feel good religion but we need not differentiate ourselves from our brethren to be “distinctive”, not so with other religions. From chabad’s kindness you realize what Judaism is all about. Our religion is based on torah and mitzvoth and so it shall remain. The objective of the Jew is to rise above his limitations, and the limits the world sets for him. It’s about maintaining our laws and traditions so they may be transmitted to the next generation.

As it grows chabad’s options are in a sense limitless, never mind reality. Primarily the wholesale reassessment of Jews towards there Judaism. As well as the inexplicable growth and acceleration of Jews reasserting, that they are Jews. And that this is my religion, and I seek to grow in it, as a sapling spreads its roots. The movement is multi-denominational as it is all-inclusive. For the orthodox when they travel chabad is a great resource, as it supply’s a taste of home. Not withstanding the fact that they are of a particular denomination.

For conservative and reform Jews, affiliation now refers overwhelmingly more to social rather then religious connection. Huge numbers of Jews identified by demographers as Reform or Conservative rarely show up in synagogue and their affiliation provides few clues to their religious practices and beliefs. In a word, denomination has lost much of its relevance.

CHABAD FLOURISHES in this environment by providing a low-cost brand of Judaism. It is low-cost in financial terms, which is another meritorious aspect. It seeks however to nudge and push like a high cost product, they provide the impetus for growth.

Participants in chabad observe mitzvot as per where they’re holding. And interest has everything to do with it; this is only fair, as you can’t stuff obligations down people’s throats. Reconstructionists pervert the actual doing of the mitzvah, by not sticking to the letter of the law. There are, of course, Chabad synagogues and day schools, and they must not be discounted because they often fill gaps in our community’s ability to adequately provide religious services.

Their vast network institutions and programs require as much as possible from participants, obviously never deviating from Halacha.

Conservative rabbi’s sanctioned driving on shabbos, as well as many more obfuscation’s to basic Jewish tenants, yet i still respect their position as a leader’s. Chabad on the other instead of being dismissive to a Jews first plunge into organized religion slowly encourages personal growth.

Population shifts and the continued weakening of Jewish institutional life will give Chabad an abundant supply of new areas to penetrate. There is also an abundant supply of shluchim-in-waiting. I was recently told that there are more than 300 young men waiting for their opportunity to go into the field.

When that opportunity comes they will be faced with the collateral opportunity, to define Judaism either upwards or downward. If they follow their current prevalent attitude we can be hopeful to reverse the horrible trends of assimilation dogging this nation.