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Op-Ed: Matisyahu’s Shaven Face a Wakeup Call

by Levi Brackman – Ynet

By now many people have weighed into what must have been a very private decision for a famous individual. Of course I am talking about Matisyahu’s beard, or lack thereof.

It is not my position to judge Matisyahu and say that he was either right or wrong. Over the course of history there have been many very pious Jews who had clean shaven faces. There is no reason for me to assume the Matisyahu is any different from that prototype.

Nonetheless, for a Hasidic Jew the beard and Peyot (sidelocks) are not just symbolic on a Kabbalistic level; they also represent fidelity to the Hasidic community and its ideals, values and norms.

I recall as a child a close family member started to feel disenfranchised from our Hasidic community, and as that evolved it culminated in him shaving his beard.

As a child, that one act devastated me because it was the final step in him removing himself from the community. And somehow it felt as though a close family member was distancing himself from us as a family as well.

As a grownup, of course, I see this very differently – people are individuals and it is vital that they be allowed to express themselves in an authentic manner. But all of this raises a much larger issue, one that Orthodoxy in general and the Hasidic community in particular needs to address head on.

Despite his claims to still be going to shul and visiting the ritual bath house known as the mikveh each morning, Matisyahu has clearly broken from the Hasidic community. And in his explanation of why he did so, he hit on the core of what makes the Hasidic way of life so difficult and unattractive to so many.

The community has become more about adhering and conforming to a set of communal norms and rules than about real spiritual development and practice. The fact that a beard and a dress code – all external aspects – take such importance is but one example of this.

Stop placing emphasis on appearance

To be clear, Matisyahu is not the first person to decide that the Hasidic community and way of life is not for him – he is merely a high profile individual who has come to that conclusion. There are thousands of others who feel the same way, whilst some have found the courage – like Matisyahu – to leave, others remain within the community just keeping up appearances.

Yet when a high-profile individual publicly departs from a community, it should be used as an opportunity for introspection on behalf of community leaders and members. The first question such leaders should ask themselves is why they need to attach such massive importance to externalities and communal rules.

Hasidism and traditional Judaism in general has so much to offer in terms of spirituality, values and way of life. Tragically, however, when one gets on the inside of a haredi community there are so many different trends, norms, allegiances and conformities to keep up to, many of which have so little to do with spirituality, God or religion, that one misses the forest for the trees.

In many ways Matisyahu is right, although rules breed discipline which is vital for success in any endeavor, an excess of rules leads to rebellion especially when many of them lack real meaning, common sense and relevance.

The fact that Matisyahu’s shaving his beard led to a reported mass beard shaving by youngsters within some Hasidic communities just shows how tenuous a hold some of these rule have over young community members.

I am certainly not advocating compromising Torah and mitzvoth, which are the basic tenants of the Jewish faith. It seems that neither was Matisyahu. Clearly, however, communities shape Judaism in their own image and more often in the images of their leaders. But what may have worked well even a generation ago seems to be working less well today.

Communities and their norms therefore must evolve to remain relevant to the next generation. For many in our communities this is not happening. Matisyahu shaving his beard, and the many copycats who have done the same, should serve as a wakeup call to start thinking how to reshape our community so that it remains relevant going forward.

Hasidic Judaism needs to start with loosening some of the restrictions which are no longer relevant and allowing more individual self expression. I suggest that to begin with we begin to properly educate children so that they can also have opportunities in multitudes of careers.

In addition, we should stop placing so much emphasis on externalities such a dress code and appearances. As long as simultaneously there is an increase in honesty, spirituality and meaning this will not hurt the community at all, on the contrary, it will only serve to edify it.

Rabbi Levi Brackman is co-founder and executive director of Youth Directions , a non-profit organization that helps youth find and succeed at their unique positive purpose in life.

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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60 Comments

  • Very well said

    There is a story of a young chassidishe boy once in the early years knocked on the Rebbe’s home door. When the Rebbe let him inside he said to the Rebbe that he was collecting money for his Yeshiva selling raffle tickets.

    The Rebbe asked him what does he learn in Yeshiva. Seeing that the Rebbe was sitting and learning with his shirt on and not with a kapote he said to the Rebbe that in his Yeshiva he learned that one must always learn Torah with proper livushim (dress, i.e. hat and kapote).

    The Rebbe told the little boy to go back and tell his melamed that in Lubavitch we learn that it is more important to be aware of what is going on under the levushim than what livushim you are wearing.

  • Andrea Schonberger

    Very well written article, especially the part on not putting so much emphasis on appearances as appearances can be deceiving. A person might look high class but it’s possible for them to be a not very nice person and believe me I’ve come across plenty of those.

  • rr

    he has some interesting points, honest and earnest. However, he sounds quite young. This is not an easy issue.

  • A tale of Shidduchim and Matisyahu

    so I already know, any time I log onto a chabad website, it will either be about shidduchim or matisyahu.

  • How do you decide whats external

    To Lubavitcher Chassidim a beard is NOT “externals”. It has very strong sources which was explained by the Rabbeim of Chabad. Do you propose a new type of Chabad? It’s one thing to be tolerant of people who do the wrong thing, another to encourage and condone the behavior. Let’s go a step further, is wearing a Kippa a Halacha? Is it? So maybe we should encourage removing the external so people should feel more comfortable with self expression…

  • fell out of bed?

    You basically said that a guy removing his beard is shocking, because there should be no beards to begin with. In my humble opinion, if you have nothing to say, please don’t say it. Please…!

  • A fan

    Matisyahus shaving of his beard had more to do with his career then all the things you wrote in this article.
    When he became popular and traveled to different communities, his producer kept him away from Chabad Houses.
    Matisyohu was not aware of the meaning of Hakoras Hatov and this was the beginning of his downfall.
    I wish him only good things and pray that he finds the path back to Chasidishkeit.
    He has the Zchus to touch so many people with his music, that is necessary now before Moshiach comes. I hope he will overcome this nisoyon and continue his holy mission.

  • Shaya

    This whole article could have been written in just a few words! As in: “Matisyahu shaved his beard, I’m saying something about it.” that would have saved me time. Thanks.

  • Chaim Tovim

    What bothered me most about M shaving his beard wasn’t that he shaved off his beard but what he said on the subsequent radio show: he realized that growing his beard is ridiculous, that he grew his beard out of some (irrational) fear and it’s similar to his growing dreadlocks…

    if he would have just said I have a urge to remove my beard even though it’s not what Hashem wants, it wouldn’t bother me as much…

  • anon

    Levi,

    Can you be specific?
    otherwise i think you wrote a whole article that says nothing.
    I trust this is not the same attempt as the Boteach trying to grab the spot light.
    “
    Hasidic Judaism needs to start with loosening some of the restrictions which are no longer relevant and allowing more individual self expression. I suggest that to begin with we begin to properly educate children so that they can also have opportunities in multitudes of careers.
    ”

  • very

    “There are thousands of others who feel the same way, whilst some have found the courage – like Matisyahu – to leave, others remain within the community just keeping up appearances”.
    WOW
    who wrote this drek? you should be ashamed!
    pure GARBAGE

  • no change needed

    So you wrote …

    Hasidic Judaism needs to start with loosening some of the restrictions which are no longer relevant and allowing more individual self expression.

    Levi Brackman …. Chassidus and Chassidim needs to change nothing of their tolerance. You and I must be better educators and Dugma Chai.

    We lose our kids, because we do not make ourselves the most positive role models.

    Mattisyahu went to shtus, lived in shtus, and breathed shtus. You can’t survive shtus on any level. You write nicely, but it’s the pen of the Jews who screamed that the Yevonim are not so bad.

    We do not have restriction on music. Look at the Piememnta’s. Look even at Chanala Fellig. I am ashamed that such articles are placed here as if there is a real OPED here.

    I worry more for his wife and kids! Do you?

  • More Bittul Required

    As a Lubavitcher, your observations are ridiculous. As a shliach, they are obscene. You are supposed to be the embodiment of the Rebbe in your place of shlichus – whether it be your physical location or your exposure on the internet. The only changes that need to be made are in the people who call themselves chassidim. We accept it all – lock, stock and barrel. If someone does not want to be on that path it’s no problem. Just be a good, G-d-fearing Jew who learns Torah and fulfills the mitzvos that are required of us all. One who wants to be a chosid needs to be prepared to go the extra mile and walk in the path of the Rebbe. No innovations necessary.

  • Avrahom

    Why are you trying to rationalize what he did. To all opinions, shaving is a big descent that causes a train of sins to follow. I agree it is a wake up call, however not to give up external things . The stress should be to improve the internal.

  • elimeyer

    I am just wondering where you suggest we “start with loosening some of the restrictions which are no longer relevant and allowing more individual self expression”? No more hats? Kapotas? Short hair? Dresses for Women?

    Most Chabad chasidim who work in the secular world have already taken on to wear the “appropriate” attire, ie. regular suits, or even t-shirts and jeans. I agree that “levush” is extraneous and not integral to one’s devotion. I disagree with you as far as the beard is concerned. What I am taking from this article is that you see nothing wrong with our youth shaving their beards, or girls wearing pants etc, as long as they see the bigger picture?

  • Foolish

    I think this Rabbi is more dangerous to the future of Hassidic Judaism than M“ since he puts approval stamp on shaving the beard. Having a beard and prohibition of shaving are halachic precepts that expressed clearly in the Scripture. If a Jew is loose on this mitzvah I can say with certainty that he is loose on everything else in Yidishkite. I am sad that the leaders of this community haven’t made clear that shaving the beard is not acceptable. This Rabbi failed to understand that externalities are intrinsically connected to inner psycho. ”Focusing on honesty and meaning“? But how these ”honesty and meaning“ are expressed to begin with? When I looked on M” for a first time I had only one thought: “fake”. Long beard didn’t sit well with lousy jeans and drug-addict music. Time proved me right.
    Alter Rebbe placed so mush emphasis on “Levushim” – “Garbs, Clothing”. Mastering externality (Thought, speech and action) is a venue to uncover one deep inner spirituality. By the same token, dressing up like a chassid will eventually make one feel like the chassid.
    I do feel sorry for this Rabbi. He is in very uncomfortable situation right now. He embraced M“ and promoted him in order to get cheap score among his constituencies. Now he must choose between publicly accepting his foolishness or getting away ”smart“ by playing down seriousness of beard shaving.
    ”It is hard to play chess without a chess board“ – my Grandfather used to say. So how can we expect a new generation to win the game, when the very Rabbi who calls himself ”executive director of Youth Directions“ blurs the squares on ”the chess board of life” ?!

  • Disgusted

    Levi Brackman and Shmuley Boteach are a matched set.

    They should both shave their beards because they do not merit to wear them.

  • Jrivel

    Feh! This is shtusim. Sound like the original arguments that spawned conservative “Judaism” — Levi should retract and repent or will lose his title Rabbi in the Chabad world.

  • Holocauset survivor-s child

    My parents were holocaust survivors who came from families with beards, peyos,women wearing shpitzels etc. They and most of their friends who were “survivors” of hungarian backgrounds remained shomer shabbos but did not have beards and the women did not cover their hair fully. As their children grew up and they sent them to Chassidishe yeshivos
    they started regrowing their beards putting on sheitels etc.
    Their children (who are in their fifties and sixties today) became even frummer. Therefore I cannot agree with the writer that today’s generation cannot be as frum (in appearances) as we are today. I feel that the way one dresses definetly affects what we do and how we behave as frum yidden. We need the right chinuch that our children should want to look frummer and be frummer then we are. Their idols should not be those who are in the entertainment field but rather those that are in the chinuch field.

  • my condolences

    huh?
    From the moment a Jewish child is born till after death; from the moment we wake up, throughout the day, Hamapil, and the way you lay in bed, the halacha dictates what we can and cannot do.
    Some baal teshuva comes and decides to bring a distastful style of music to the chassidic ccommunity, then decides that he isn’t up to living a true chassidic lifestyle, regresses and takes R”L dozens of our youth down with him, and the author is putting the blame on our placing so much emphasis on externalities such a dress code and appearances??
    Hello, it was precicely our not dressing like the Egyptians that got us out of Egypt.
    Rabbi Levi Brackman, why don’t you walk around in public in your undershirt as this poor confused man is doing. Maybe that will make him feel more accepted.
    I feel so sorry for his dear wife. Hashem should give her strength to deal with the loss of chassidishkeit she worked so hear for.

  • Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern

    With all due respect Rabbi Brackman your article is dangerously deceptive and lacks a clear message. Like Matisyahu, your article can be a catalyst for those looking for an easy escape route.

    While we all can agree that many of our young Chassidic brothers and sisters are leaving the fold, the reason for this phenomena is a matter of debate.

    I believe it is not so much a disenchantment with Chassidic garb and way of life, as much as a lack of understanding as to what this way of life really is. Indeed, dress code and appearance can be solely external if it lacks “tocho k’baro,” a symmetry between the essence and the image projected.

    Would you suggest that the military relax its rules on dress code as long as soldiers work harder on their combat skills? Of course that would be ludicrous! Soldiers understand that they represent their country and feel proud in uniform. A true Chassid feels the same way when he/she understands what it is they represent.

    That being said, I believe we need to have more patience with our children. We are very good at accepting our non religious brethren at the levels they are at. Yet, we are quick to label or worse, cut off, a religious young boy or girl that is going through a difficult period or has gone “off the derech.” Today’s youth are not blind to this double standard. The younger generation must have a clear picture of the standards laid out for them, but they must also feel that they are accepted and loved no matter what.

    I am aware of the great things you are doing through Youth Directions and wish you continued success in your work. May we merit speedily to the coming of Moshiach when our inner G-dliness will be revealed and externalism will no longer be a factor.

  • UWS Jew

    Excellent article!

    I am a BT and spent four years in CH. I finally couldn’t take the judgement and pressure anymore, and I now live on the UWS. I’m still frum and shomer mitzvot…and I even still learn Chassidus…I have a beard, although I have trimmed it…and I am so grateful to Chabad for making me frum. See you at the Hei Teves sale.

    I wish that Chabad House Chassidim and CH Chassidim were one and the same. Sadly, they are not.

  • rcl

    In my humble opinion, there is a halachic question that perhaps needs to be addressed. Does Matisyahu’s shaving require hataras nedarim? More important than the answer is that from the interviews, it doesn’t sound like Matisyahu asked a shaaloh. It is very disturbing to think that such a high profile orthodox Jew doesn’t have a Rav with which he consults.

  • crown heights resident

    what a bad move, nebach mixed up, doubt in his emounah. or too popular with money, G-d forbid.. not an example in our shruna!!!

  • It was obvious

    Music is one of the greatest gifts that Hashem gave ¬¬us. Music has unique powers, the power to lift us up to the lofty heights, way up high or to drop us down to the very depths, way below.
    here is what the Rebbe said (free translation from lekutei sichos volume 38 pg 179)::
    “The theme of today’s style of music has been expertly prepared and planned by its composers to target the hearts of the listeners and influence them with the following undesirable feelings:
    a) Arousal of the Yetzer. b) To reject all boundaries and “seder” (order) in general, and in Tzenius (modesty) in particular. c) A conviction that “everything is permissible”. d) It is totally okay to try-out whatever one desires, and draw one’s own conclusions etc.”

  • s.e.

    Um… america is nit andersht… what does this mean to you?
    Why don’t we instead say that just because someone comes to live in our neighborhood does not mean that he or she needs to conform to our standards. Nor are our children any less deserving of our love if they decide our choices are not for them…. diluting our identity is not how we are going to stop the pain that you are describing… increasing the love and the respect for our fellow certainly will…

  • I fear thou dost protest too much

    I fear, Sir brackman, thou dost protest too much. Your words remind one of the 2008 American Humanist Associations call for
    G-dless goodness!! and you sir want beardless Hasidim. Hmmm…Let
    s see how else we can denude the world of it’s varying levels of revealed G-dliness. Levy, a Chossid wears a beard for reasons you are well aware of. If one distances themselves from the practices of Hasidism then one is no longer a Chossid, but he is still a good Jew. If you want to be a good Jew, by all means do so…if you choose however to be a chossid then the beard is essential to your service of G-d and your relationship with him. Really boy, what are you thinking (or drinking)?

  • dissaponted

    this writer is off the beaten track the fact that matis is high profile, so is lihavdil madonna and michael jackson chabad should not make policy based on people who have taken drugs and possibly still are, these people while personally need kiruv should in no way help form chabbad lubavitch standards the idea that we need to conform is completely antithetical to the rebbes policy of umikarvan litoroah not god forbid the opposite. we do need to remind chabbad chasidim that having a beard is not enough or a kapote but rather need to work on the fundmentalis of chassids self refinement and avodas hatfilaits a pity that there are no role models in chabad that opitimize these ideals at least those that are admired the head shluchim are almost all void of primary chasidic fundmentals and are big disspointment to the qualites chabad asks of us the quaility of bittul is long gone and those that have huge egos r the ones “looked up to” its sad but true

  • Don-t kid yourself

    Foolish article and false reasoning and conclusions.

    The appearance of a Chosid is not the result of an external uniform that chassidim have adopted but is rather a result of a Kabbalistic, Chassidic and very Torah centered view of Yiddiskeit and therefore the world.

    Abandoning it reflects a departure from the high statndrds and ideals that are the reasons for the specific appearance.

    I am not referring to the style of hat or Kappote, though that too is indicative of a chosids love for the Rebbe and trying to emulate him. Rather a beard, Peyot, non-conforming clothing,etc., reflect an adherance to a life which is Torah centered and not world centered. It shows the direction that a person is headed in and what hashkofos are his guide in
    life.

    There was a Shoichet in Lubavitch who began to wear a more modern style of boot. The Rabbonim removed him from his position as Shoichet. Sure. wearing a modern style of shoe does not necessarily reflect a decline in Yiras Shomayim but it usually does reflect a mindset of where the person is at.

    There is a story that Reuvein gave his friend Shimon some money for safekeeping. Shimon took the money and remarked in a joking manner“ you’re not afraid I’ll steal it from you?” Reuvein responded by taking the money back from Shimon. So Shimon said “ I was just kidding!” Reuvein responded by saying “there are three Livushim, means of expression, thought speech and action. Your speech and your thought that motivated speech both reflected a possibility of stealing. I am not ready to risk the third expression,action, when I can actually loose my money.”

    The removing of a beard, or kappoteh or dressing in a more modern way is not the first step reflecting shedding an insignificant externalization. It is usually a final step reflecting a lot of thought that is brought about by a strong shift in mindset away from what the “externalities” really represent.

  • terrified

    is this really where we’re going?

    A conservative Rabbi once got into a debate with the Rebbe Rayatz.. he asked ‘If there’s a fire, do you start looking for the most pure water to pour on it? Well the Jewish people are in trouble, we need to put out the fire with whatever we can!’

    Answered the Rayatz “If theres a fire, do you pour gasoline on it?”

  • You-re clueless

    I have never read anything so clueless in my life! You are part of the “Chabad lite” problem not the solution.
    Matisyahu is a victim of your distorted shitas. That’s what happens when a persons yiddishkeit is not based on learning Torah but on feelings.
    Stop the blabbering & looking at Yiddishkeit through a secular lens, sit down & learn some chassidus & a blat Gemora. Yiddishkeit is not Xtianity, it’s about rules not your weird ideas of “spirituality”.
    You sound very much like the Haskala movement of the 1800’s.

  • jay

    very well put it’s time we focus on a real judaism and put aside all the other superficial stuff and maybe our children will have a chance in the meantime there are so many people in this community who have beards who go to shul on shabbat come home behind closed doors the tv goes on they don’t keep anything none says a word because they look good on the outside they have the beards fat stomachs but if someone is clean shaven it doesn’t matter if they keep anything or not they are no good It’s sad because this is really hurting our children

  • What part of us is important?

    It seems to me that the writes forgot the primary merit on which G-d took the Jewish people out of Egypt which lead to the creation of the Jewish nation. That base and foundation was the fact that the Jewish people did keep strong their names, language and clothing ALL EXTERNOL PROPERITES OF A PERSON.

    This obvisly is not to make less the importance of inner spiritual growth. Spiritual growth was soothing the Jewish people needed to engage in as a preparation to becoming a nation after leaving Egypt.

    However, the above underscores in great measure the great importance that G-d gives to our EXTEROL expression and our outer appearance.

    If one will learn Chasiddus and Kabbalah (which talks about inner spiritual growth) you will find the explanation for why our external “clothing” is of high importance, just as important if not greater then our inner spiritual state!

  • Dovid

    Mass Shavings??? Are you kidding??

    Does anyone here know ONE person that shaved bec of Matisyahu?

    That is of a bit crazy allegation to make with no evidence.

  • dangerous

    Mr.Brackman,I do not know who you are but if you are working with teens than you are part of the problem. Your article and thus your
    hashkafas are dangerous. Comment #20 hit it right on.

  • A concerned mom

    Nebach!! Levi, what are u getting out of this article? How much did MaSHTUSyahu pay you to write it??? Really now… Your poor wife and kids,,,,

  • sick to my stomach

    Has noone noticed that he has actually taken off his peyos too???? Don’t tell me he’s still frum!! There is NO debate anywhere that gives anyone halachic leeway in removing peyos.

    This article is absolute nonsense. This is your plan to save our youth from going off the derech?? Tell them it’s okay to “change with the times” and break halacha?? I feel sick.

    I give Matisyahu a few more months before he comes out that he now follows the reform movement.

  • Y-Net

    Is this what you had to write to get on Y-Net? I hope so, and hope that what you spew here is not really what you believe.

    If you are on shlichus, I think the fact that you haven’t been removed is a failure on merkos. This article should be the instrument to remove you from your official position and it should be given to a chosid.

  • CH RESIDENT

    ITS NOT THE 1ST TIME CHANGING THE SHITA IN LIFE FROM BRESLAV TO CHABAD, TO HAREDI TO LITVISH … SO NEBACH CONFUSED HE BECAME OR RIGHT TO MUCH MONEY WITH SINGER NAME!!

  • Mookie

    As many Baal Teshuva Matisyahu is is adjusting to what is comfortable for him as a Yid. He was at the complete extreme right being with Lubavitch and now is adjusting to the middle. As long as he is frum and represents himself and carry’s himself that way there is nothing wrong. It is uncomfortable for many to witness because they are not used to seeing him this way but it is a life’s discovery and a maturity he is undergoing. Kol Hakvod!

  • Ya nye chochu nikakoy BRACK

    If anyone wants to see what would have happened to Lubavitch had the loser in the Didan Notzach sforim case chas vesholom become Rebbe, just read Brackman.

    For shame.

    I guess it is no coincidence that “brack” (brAHk – брак) in Russian means defective merchandise. He sure is peddling brack.

  • RD

    I agree with post number 5. That a beard and payos are not externals but the essence of a chossid. Whilst theyre may be those who do not wear it lshaim shomayim the fact of the matter remains that those that do atleast feel some connectivity to their roots. Matisyahu has unique challenges and whilst one cannot ever judge someone until they are in his shoes we do not need to go justifying and making light of what he has chosen to do. How we eat is who we are how we dress too reflects the inner person underneath.
    All i can say is this we should all continue to grow at our own level and fulfill our potential for who we are. And have rahmanus on people who have not yet made up their minds which path to take and just to open ones heart and mind and daven that we will not have this chisaron that so many of us are having.

  • Attn. #1

    Some stories are believable, some not as much, if you bring that kids name then you have a story, other wise some random guy had a interesting dream and it became a story!!!

  • Brackman is so off-base, its sad

    Rabbi, I think you should show you are serious about this article – shave!

    Besides being completely pointless, it is complete disingenuous. But it makes for a good YNET exposure. So I hope you make money from this Rabbi Brackman, because a Jew has to make a living, and I don’t begrudge you that.

    But besides helping you make a living, this article is simple “SHTUYOT”.

  • Tentsitter

    I’m a misnaggid :) and I’m shocked by this news. It doesn’t sound so simple to me that this isn’t a chillul Hashem. He performed on national stages and was viewed by Jews and non-Jews all across the country as a religious “hasidic” Jew with beard and payos singing Jewish songs with a modern rap-regge twist. Maybe in yiddishkkeit, image and externalities isn’t considered important, but in show business, it is EVERYTHING! By changing his image, he is changing who he is to the world. Did he consult rabbonon, chassidishe or otherwise, before making this major decision? As the goyim in New York would say, “It doesn’t sound kosher.”

  • Levi Brackman

    My recent article entitled, “Matisyahu’s shaven face a wakeup call” (http://www.ynetnews.com/art…) has received lots of comments and attention in some quarters. It seems that many people commented before reading it carefully. Because people have misunderstood it is important that I clarify.

    At no point did I ever suggest that Hasidim should start shaving their beards. In addition, Chabad was not at all the target of my article. Matisyahu left Chabad and joined to Chasidic world at large in 2008. Thus, the article was aimed at the Chasidic world excluding Chabad.

    Many hasidic communities (excluding Chabad in most instances) place extreme importance on dress. They all have their uniforms. Belz Hasidim for example all wrap their peyot around their ears multiple times, wear black socks (during the week) and knickerbockers and always have their gartels on. Gur Hasidim place their payot under their kipot and tuck their black socks into the pants. The list goes on–but I wont bore you with the intricate details of Hasidic dress codes. Suffice it to say that each sect has a dress code which if a community member changes one iota they are considered no longer be a part of the community.

    But it gets worse than that. Someone explained to me why he needed to leave the Hasidic (not Chabad) world. He had decided to buy a scooter to get to and from his Hasidic Yeshiva in Jerusalem. His Rosh Yeshiva called him aside and said that if he were to continue riding on a scooter he would never get a shidduch. There were many other ludicrous restrictions such as never taking off ones coat even when was inside the study hall. Taking it off in the street was certainly forbidden. These are the type of meaningless restrictions that I was talking about in the article and that need to be loosened if the Haredi world in general and the hasidic world (not Chabad) in particular is to thrive and be able to share the beauty it has with others who are not yet a part of the community.

    The bottom line is that people and communities need to focus on the spiritual aspects of Judaism and worry less about what others think of them and how they fit in.

  • Thanks anyway abcdavid

    Beards are for prophets and kings And malchus isn’t on stage it is at home on shabbos ,,,this one step back will lead to plenty of steps forward. sO STRONG

  • Ain Oid Milvado

    Brackman, i feel so sorry for the wife and kids- you mean he needed to find a shidduch when he was married already? You’re not making sense with your proofs.

  • S Ziskind

    I’m really getting shocked by the amount of loshen hara and motzi shem ra I see on this website. This really does not goes well with the argument that Lubavitchers don’t need to learn shemiras halashon because we have so much ahavas yisroel. I see very little ahavas yisroel in some of these comments directed towards Rabbi Brackman.

    I am not that well acquainted with Rabbi Brackman, but know enough to know that he is intelligent and certainly not “chabad lite and I’m sure a wonderful shliach.

    His explanation makes perfect sense to me. I think people are still taking whatever Matisyahu done as if it’s a slight to Chabad-Lubavitch even though he decided to join Karlin-Stolin a long time ago. If anything, the Karlin-Stoliners should be annoyed at him. Why is Lubavitch still annoyed at him for trying to find his derech?

    A big challenge for a BT is that they become frum through a particular derech (Lubavitch or Yeshivish) and all they know is that derech. Obviously schools like Hadar HaTorah, Machon Chana or Neve or Ohr Sameach are going to be teaching their derech. I don’t fault any of those schools for that, but at some point a BT has to find their own derech. I’ve known girls who were really confused because they couldn’t find their own derech. They didn’t know where they really fit. Matisyahu became frum but all he knew was Lubavitch. That’s perfectly fine for people where Lubavitch is home, but it turns out it wasn’t his home. Why is this so hard to come to terms with even now?

  • EPA18

    Levi Brackman, author of this article, personally told me within the last month that he has left Chabad, because “he no longer believes it’s the truth.”

    So understand when you are reading this article from whom the words are coming!!!!