Posted to Op-Ed on

Op-Ed Response: Chabad. Period.

by Yitzchok Wagshul

Rabbi Shimon Raichik of Los Angeles recently wrote that he does not wish to enter directly into the “Chabad-Lite” issue, but simply to urge that we turn to the Rebbe for guidance. He quoted several passages from a published letter of the Rebbe, of which the following is representative:

“There are those that are concerned that if we uphold the standard we could distance those people from us or push them into things that are worse. The lesson is to do the exact opposite. We should try to inspire them to a higher standard and to set the highest possible standard in the challenged areas.”

While I agree with Rav Raichik that we should get our guidance from the Rebbe, I feel he did not (for good reasons of his own, no doubt) spell out in enough detail precisely how to “inspire them to a higher standard,” etc. I am not qualified to add to Rabbi Raichik’s words and certainly not to speak for the Rebbe, but I feel confident that neither would take offense if I contribute the following:

When the Alter Rebbe first began teaching the principles of Chabad, he did not intend to start a new group within Judaism. Rather, he taught what he taught because he perceived, with Divine inspiration, that Chassidus was urgently needed for the Jews–all Jews–of our era, from that day right up to this.

(Most of us reading this know what Chassidus is “about” (the short answer is, it’s all about Hashem, and the rest flows from there) but anyone sincerely interested in learning more about why it was introduced into the world in our days can find the Rebbe’s own explanation of that, in English, in the appendix to the book, On the Essence of Chassidus. In fact, the body of that book is the Rebbe’s beautifully clear and comprehensive explanation of what Chassidus actually “is.” On the Essence of Chassidus can be difficult to understand if one doesn‘t have sufficient background, but if anyone has trouble with it, I have tapes that make it much easier. Contact me for details.)

Because Chabad Chassidus brought out the natural love and reverence for G-d latent within all Jewish souls, it did, in fact, turn out that after a while, those who followed the Alter Rebbe became recognizably different in how they acted, and a “group” of sorts could be identified–although, again, that was not the intention, since Chassidus is for all of us, for all Jews everywhere. Surely, then, the most technically “correct” and reasonable answer to the question of “who is Chabad” must be: “one who studies Chabad Chassidus and acts accordingly.”

Of course, it is possible to “act accordingly” to varying degrees, just as it is possible to observe the Torah itself to varying degrees. Not necessarily acceptable, mind you, but certainly possible. But if anyone is inclined to try and refine our definition to determine a precise point below which “acting accordingly” nevertheless falls short of the definition of “Chabad,” let me just say that that would be missing the point, because the question was never really doctrinal to begin with. What I mean is, we’re not dealing with a group of philosophers (or followers of a single philosopher) who are saying “We reject (chas veshalom) certain aspects of the Alter Rebbe’s teachings, or of halacha generally, on principle.” No, not at all: I think it’s quite safe to say that whatever motivates so-called “Chabad-lite” behavior, it’s not philosophy or intellectual conviction. So the question is not really about the definition of Chabad at all.

Instead of “who is Chabad,” the question that is really being asked in “Chabad lite” and the other posts is: For the protection of our own children and environment, what should we do about those from Chabad families–who therefore presumably know better–who do not seem to display the degree of love and reverence for G-d (hallmarks of Chabad chassidim) that would motivate them to adhere scrupulously to halacha? (For, make no mistake about it: the behavior complained of–lack of tznius, shaving one’s beard, etc.–has nothing to do with Chabad per se; it is a matter of halacha generally.)

The answer, though, must be grounded firmly in Chabad belief. It must involve both a long-term solution and a short-term approach, and it must be based on two things: 1) who the “Chabad-lite” are; and 2) who G-d is (so to speak).

The long-term solution: Whoever they are individually and whatever motivates them, those described as “Chabad-lite” are squarely within the Alter Rebbe’s intended audience for his teachings—namely, all Jews. As explained in the appendix to On the Essence of Chassidus, there is a fearsome spiritual battle raging in these days of the “Footsteps of Moshiach,” in which the forces of unholiness run rampant (may Hashem protect us!). Chassidus is the only weapon capable of shielding us from those influences and, indeed, overcoming them. Given the onslaught of horrible influences from the outside world today, it is no surprise that we all face our own challenges–we all do!–with chassidishkeit. If someone doesn’t dress modestly, or shaves, or whatever–especially if they come from Chabad families–it is a sure sign that he or she is a casualty of that battle. We must all have the courage of our convictions: not only should we be able to affirm unequivocally that the more Torah one studies in general, the more one will come to realize its truth; we should also firmly believe that the more chassidus one studies, the more one will inevitably increase in ahavas Hashem and yiras Hashem. In that case, as a general principle one can say (note that one can only say this as a general principle, because on an individual level, each person is unique and his or her situation must be considered individually) that learning more chassidus would improve the situation. You can’t force people to do anything; I’m just pointing out what medicine works for this particular malady. And there are, baruch Hashem, more and more ways today for even those with little background to learn and appreciate chassidus–whether online, in print, or in shiurim. This should be encouraged in every conceivable way!

Another aspect of the long-term approach is to address how the parent came to be “wounded” in the first place. If he or she grew up in a Chabad home and was educated in Chabad yeshivos, why didn’t he or she have the protection of chassidus all along? To answer that, let me share with you something I learned while researching my master’s thesis in psychology school. I wanted to study, as a matter of fact, what–from a psychological standpoint–causes kids in a community like ours to go “off the derech.” I started the research with the general impression that it had something to do with adolescent rebellion, or the individuation process (the normal human tendency to try and distinguish oneself from one’s parents and develop an individual identity). But I found something surprising: if you look at the data concerning other religions (lehavdil), you find that it is actually unusual for their kids to rebel in a religious sense. In most of society, children may in fact “rebel” in various ways, but going against their parents’ religious beliefs is generally not one of them. That is a phenomenon much more pronounced in our own community. So, if it isn’t a function of normal adolescent rebellion or individuation, what causes it? I concluded that it has to do with our overcrowded and underfunded schools. I will not comment here on the problems of Crown Heights schools; that’s a subject of its own. For present purposes, suffice it to say that children learn things at different paces. Those who learn to read Hebrew, Chumash, etc. right away are, hopefully, all right. But for those young children who–for any reason in the universe–don’t learn these things at the pace the teacher has set for the whole class, their inability to respond to class questions, assignments, etc. is usually their first experience with failure. They go from being Mommy and Tatty’s pride and joy to someone at whom other kids laugh and with whom Mommy and Tatty are disappointed. More than simply having trouble learning “Jewish studies” intellectually–a serious problem in and of itself–they can easily come to resent those subjects emotionally and are at risk for rejecting whatever is associated with them (G-d forbid). So, the bottom line is this: in the long term, if we expect people to grow up with the benefits of chassidus and chassidisher chinuch, we must improve the school system, especially in the early grades.

But what are we to do in the short-term? What is, in fact, the answer to the dilemma of what to tell our children about their friend’s mother, etc.? Before addressing that, I just want to say that if a parent, wounded and bleeding from the spiritual battle of our time, limps up to the door of a Chabad yeshiva seeking to enroll his or her child, that parent should be treated as a war hero, because in effect, he or she is saying, “whatever may have happened to me, I want my child to be safe.” That child must not be rejected at any cost.

And if not, what about “our” children? I have three observations about that: First, this is a complex human problem, and should not be dealt with by a letter or a policy statement sent to all parents at the beginning of the year and then enforced with blind insensitivity by people with nothing in common with the person involved. Instead, if a parent is known to show up improperly dressed, or to expose their child to television, etc., a suitable person representing the yeshiva should speak privately, in a caring way, with the individual parent about their own situation and that of their child. Don’t alienate people.

Second, there is really nothing wrong with concerned parents branching out and forming their own yeshiva with exclusively chassidisher standards–as long as a chassidisher chinuch remains available to all by way of the original yeshiva. Several yeshivos already exist along those lines. Gezunter heit!

Third, for those who, for whatever reason, cannot or do not wish to enroll their child in a “boutique,” chassidish-only yeshiva, the answer has to do, as I said above, with “Who G-d is.” This problem is not ours alone; it is Hashem’s at least as much. In His wisdom, compassion, and Divine providence over every detail of our existence, He knows full well (to the ultimate degree of truth, which we cannot possibly aspire to) what the problem is, how each of us is coping with it, and what is the destiny of each precious Jewish soul. To suggest that “Chabad-lite” children be sent to Modern Orthodox schools is–pardon me for saying so–idiotic, because that certainly would be detrimental to those kids. No, surely that idea was said in bitterness and frustration at the parents, but no one could really wish harm upon innocent children. There are some problems that could be solved easily by just shooting someone, but we know that certain things simply can’t be done. If there is, indeed, one thing that can be said to be antithetical to “Chabad,” turning Jewish children away from yeshiva is probably it. And if, then, we accept all children, and we try our hardest to make the yeshiva an environment where those children and our own will grow into chassidim, and we treat all in our environment with love, and we even try to help by fostering the study of chassidus by all–then we are doing all we can. We must rely on Hashem. We must cry, we must pray, we must say Tehillim–and we must believe in Hashem and trust Him to protect our kids. Because G-d is really here, and He is really the only One Who can protect our children anyway, and in a dreadful situation like this, what else do we have but that?

May the Allmerciful G-d end our anguish and our struggles to remain faithful to Him throughout the generations with the coming of Moshiach now!

This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info or its Editors.

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32 Comments

  • To the Author

    Your conclusion is one that makes me question your intelect. I’m modern, and I was from the top of my grade in learning. I also come from a very normal home, I was never abused,and I am not a big party guy either. For you to conclude that there is one reason – or even one main reason for people leaving the system shows on your norrow mindedness.

  • Concerned Jew

    Well put.

    One point though I think is out of touch with reality. Based on your argument, our schools are for “all Jews” and parents who want a chassidishe chinuch for their children that is not focused on the lowest common denominator should create their own schools.

    It’s a nice theory, but in practice, who is creating their own schools? Generalizing about groups doesn’t help anyone. Mobilizing a group to action requires leadership that simply doesn’t exist.

    I do agree with your point about addressing the slow learners. This should be seen as the crisis.

  • Sincerely curious to #1:

    Just why did you “(leave) the system?” You sound like an intelligent person and it would be truly helpful to know how you made this weighty decision the surely impacted your family and will affect your offspring andy descendants.

  • Mordechai

    to #1: Why do people call themselves Modern ? – Why not be honest and say “ I am not very shomer torah V mizvos ( if this applies ) OR I am not at the level of what has been always accepted as the norm for a Lubavitcher ” — Calling yourself Modern is almost assigning to oneself an air of respectability as if this is an acceptable category or alternative in Torah Judiasim.

  • to #1

    You are very childish. When someone addresses what the core of a problem is, it means what the most common cause is. You are very shallow and think because you don’t fit his description his point is invalid. Sometimes when you attack a problem at its core, even the side problems fall away. Meaning if their is a common denominator in 80% of the OTD people and you treat that problem, it can even effect the 20% that hadn’t shared that symptom.

  • Chaim Tovim

    In addition to what the author wrote so eloquently, I would add that chassidus should be taught practically and not just academically. From early on, the ways of chassidus and applied-chassidus, should be taught

  • Conclusion

    Your conclusion was not reached in a scientific or logical manner. (I am not number one btw) Anyone knows that just because the reason was not A does not mean it is B- it could be C, D, E, F etc. There are hundereds of possible reasons and combinations of reasons.

    Did you explore in your thesis the many more possibilities and study them with a statistical sample and with some type of valid measurement?

  • Ben Kalman

    In Yeshivas- More Emphasis/time spent on Practical application of: “Chasidus”,“Hashkufah” and ‘Halacha“ is needed. Arming children with knowledge and instilling a warm feeling through these ”subjects“ from a young age (continuing through Mesivta and zal) – addressing age appropriate subjects/issues- will prepare them to face and overcome the ”challenges“ of today’s world.

    In addition, By having the proper knowledge and feeling they will be ”Nairos L’huir“ and ”Tofayach Al Minas Lihatfiach and have a positive on impact on others.

    We have to do all we can do and still shout “ Rebbe Rativet”!

  • Reality and practical solution!!!

    Very eloquent and articulate article indeed. However, it doesn’t address the REALITY of the challenges and doesn’t offer REAL answers and solutions. There is a bit of Mussar addressed to everyone in very polite and nice language but the questions still remain.
    The “innocent children” come to Yeshivah fed with all the outside influence, Hashkafa, priorities and style of the outside. He does talk about these in class to classmates. It is evidently interesting and does penetrate the minds of the child who comes from a chassidishe home where he is shielded from these things. This is REALITY! How do you address this? This is what some mean when they suggest not accepting certain children in certain Yeshivos!
    It is correct that everything begins with the Chinuch. Specifically because of that, we ought to keep the standard up high and whoever joins has to adhere to it and not feel that they can and will put the bar down ch”v.
    People are all great and fine, sure. Behaviors – are not!
    A clean face with no beard – is not chabad. an exposed leg or etc… is not chabad. A mind filled with outside interests – is not Chabad!
    Each one has to keep trying his/her best to advance towards the high standards, and ‘H will guide abd give the necessary Koach to reach it.
    One main point is, as opposed to derech hamussar, Chabad concentrates on the good and positive side of things. Perhaps, we should stop writing op-ed’s describing negativity and failure orf individuals and groups. Instead, the focus shall be on the positive and strong points of individuals and groups. I know and see, there IS a LOT of positive in everyone and in every circle. Meat or doche Harbeh choshech! In the spirit of the coming month of Kislev, I would like to suggest and challenge this and other websites as well as all the talented writwers, to focus and write on positive aspects. I am sure that we will be very pleased with the outcome and the REAL and PRACTICAL results that this will generate.
    It should be a month long campain entitled KISLEV – Reveal the hidden good.
    Hatzlocho everyone!

  • To #5 and #9

    #5 I would not mind explaining it to you, but The reasons are way to long to fit into a comment (it’s not one reason, it’s many things together that made me stop believing in 80 percent of orthodox Judaism).

    #9 If you can’t read a simple sentence in English please don’t blame me. Read my last sentence again: “For you to conclude that there is one reason – or even one main reason for people leaving the system shows on your norrow mindedness”.

  • bud light

    May be its simper than all this.let’s categorize Chabad like this…in Chabad you have shluchim and ppl who didn’t yet go on shlichus.if you have a beard and live in ch your the same as (yes sorry the same) as someone who shaves his beard and lives in ch.
    Think about what your saying anyway you don’t want your load exposed to certain life styles you rather them exposed to your paradigm of life which is looking down on everyone and considering yourself the poster child, and who are you ? shliach or …

  • Possibly a voice of reason

    It baffles me why so many of the authors/commenters here seem to feel as though people who do not act/think as they do are doing something wrong and that they do so for all the same negative, cliched reasons (bad home, bad schooling, etc). I am constantly reminded of the old saying that “everyone who does more than you, you regard as a fanatic and everyone who does less is an apostate.” Everyone chooses their spiritual path for different reasons and many people who choose to live life a little more modernly, do not view themselves as “injured on a battlefield” and having fallen to a lower spiritual level. Perhaps, being more open minded than some of you, they just consider it a different level (because who said yours is higher or lower, better or worse?). In fact, many probably view themselves as liberated (something which I’m sure many commenters will claim is because they are suffering from disease).

    I don’t think anyone here has the right to dictate what being Chabad entails and who is/isn’t Chabad. Everybody connects with Hashem, Judaism, the Rebbe and Chabad (which really stands for the personal attributes of the mind/soul) in their own unique way. Just because one person’s outlook does not conform to your own does not mean it is wrong and that s/he is not Chabad.

    It is for certain, however that Chabad is evolving, just as everything does, just as Judaism always has. (It is doubtful that those Jews who left Egypt all those years ago looked or behaved anything like we do today. And I doubt the Alter Rebbe’s chassidim would think you more chassidish for wearing a white shirt and Borsalino as opposed to a striped shirt and a kasket). Lubavitch itself has evolved, from tiny shtetl life to big-city life. And though this may sound brash, it seems to me as though the Rebbeim changed and evolved as well. There was no Rebbe before this one who went to university, worked a regular day job, changed from a long bekeshe and shtreimel to a modern suit and hat and who for some time had a nicely groomed beard (maybe even trimmed?). So yes, Chabad and the Rebbeim have evolved. And now, with no live Rebbe, it will evolve even more.

  • sum guy

    Is this a modern-day version of the classic story of the “Emperor’s New Clothes”?
    Does everyone see some kind of miraculous, never-before-seen type of “chossid”, with NO BEARD, NO HAT, NO JACKET, wears jeans, smokes, does drugs, lives like a goy?
    But yet, we call him a “chassidisher guy”?!
    Do we need a little kid to tell us that he’s walking around in underwear and he doesn’t have any clothes on?

  • LaAniyas Dayti

    Consider the following:

    1) The mandatory daily responsibilities (above and beyond chitas – enough of a challenge to many) was increased significantly. That is fact. Rambam, Tehilim for year of age (self, spouse,and children). (Dvar Malchus – exhibit A.)

    2) This has become the implementation of chassidus, and it is that which is presumably spoken of regularly by mashpiyim at farbrengens with talmidim. Chassidus of the Alter Rebbe was an inspirational and exciting movement. Difficult to rustle up excitement over current Chassidus-Applied.

    3) In the pre-1994 years (when the parents of current youth were kids), anyone living in CHts was living with permanent consciousness that their schedule of the day could/would be disrupted, instantaneously, by the sound of the siren. A stressful lifestyle indeed. We speak of facts, not the reasons behind them. Stressful living is stressful living, and just as the chassidim who escaped the Stalin era of yore relaxed their constant battle-mode, so their children could be seeking to relieve their stressful culture (regardless that the stresses here do not begin to compare, the attitude of relaxation compares.)

    4) The most profound irony that exists in the sum total of Lubavitch today, is that when the problems arise, the “authorities” (self proclaimed or appointed) go right back to reinforcing square one. Say more tehilim; take on an extra mitzva, go out of your way to… (And “go” they do.)

    5) Those who feel there is no leadership in Lubavitch (99.99%+) just happen to be looking for someone who will say the same, but perhaps with more inspiring words. It hasn’t happened. And to say anything different (than the “mantra” of Lubavitch today) is tantamount (if not already) absolute heresy, and rebellion against the Rebbe.

    6) M belief is that that “Chabad-Lite” people (yuk, what a label) have YES retained their allegiance to the Rebbe (hence calling themselves Chabad) but remain totally overwhelmed by the burden that it demands. So like the Jews of the early 20th century in America (who claimed to be Jewish at heart), they place the Chabadishness into the heart. “You gotta feel it man.” Forget about all the chumrois. (Totally ignorant of the fact that in chassidus we have no chumrois; we do exactly the same a Litvishe chumra, but to us it is a Zehirus. That concept has receded out of sight.)

    7) Can things be changed? Not as long as Lubavitch is a fundamentalistic ideology (everyone believes the Rebbe is Nassi Hador, and you cannot ask “until what date?”). So in order to improve things, you need to do More Of The Same (MOTS).

  • just 2 points

    2 things: 1) for the “chabad lite”, it may be beneficial to send their kids to modern orthodox. maybe then the child will not have any confusion. his judaism will be consistent. if he comes to enjoy MO he may be receptive to learn deeper; i.e. chassidus.
    2) forcing parents to make choices between modern or chassidish will encourage more parents to elevate than those who will leave our community….my opinion.

  • shlomo as always with bad English

    every day in CH and 770 i meet lot of properly wearing people, that say we study chsidus daily, but newer can explain what exactly they study today! plz don’t believe me, but try! it sad very sad.

  • to # 16

    definitely not a voice, not even a shred of reason. your voice is the voice of the maskilim that went downhill ubtil assimilated. and to suggest the rebbe may have trimmed is publicizing to everyone your ignorance of who the rebbe was.

  • to #1

    Please be truthful and don’t call yoursellf modern< you may have slightly lowerd your standards of yiddishkeit etc, but people have been doing that for over 3000 years, eithe rthey return o they are lost completly to klal yisroel Haskolo also said they were “modern” you have a yetzer and you have given in. period

  • Julio Manuel

    @ 1 …You open your argument with a straightforward attack, by saying…“Your conclusion is one that makes me question your intelect.”

    Perhaps before criticizing someone’s else intellect you should look at yourself in the mirror and try using spell check.

    Intellect, not intelect, and narrow minded, not norrow minded.

    Surprised you said “I’m modern, and I was from the top of my grade in learning.”

    Perhaps the lack of spelling abilities may lead some of us to question your intellect? or question what do you consider “top of my grade in learning”?

    Think about it next time you jump the gun to criticize.

  • to 16

    I felt your comment made sense and I understand your open mindedness. BUT-your last line killed it. No explanation needed.

  • CR

    “Lubavitch is a fundamentalistic ideology (everyone believes the Rebbe is Nassi Hador, and you cannot ask “until what date?”).”

    …and here is the problem in a nutshell. Are people born in 1951 of the same “dor” as their great-grandchildren born today? At some point the entire classification becomes absurd, especially when the Nassi has not been in the flesh for nearly 20 years.

    One of the biggest issues afflicting Lubavitch today is the unwillingness to face what happened on 3 Tammuz, 5754. Until we all face it, accept it and acknowledge it publicly we will be unprepared to face the challenges of today. The world did not suddenly freeze in amber because the Rebbe ZTL, after gracing our world for 92 years, went to his eternal reward.

  • To # 28

    Yippie kay yay, You use spell check and I don’t. Overall, my spelling happens to be in the top ONE PERCENT on col and crownheights.info, (both sites that attract lubavitchers who can’t spell) and yes, I did go to Oholai Torah a place that does not teach a word of English. Oh, and btw, I was not the one that wrote an op ed on a public forum. Anyway, a pesron who makes blanket statements and announces his stupidity without knowing the facts is an idiot.