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Yechi Ha Melech Moshiach! The Fractured State of Chabad

16 years ago
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by ck
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Rebbe Menachem M. Schneerson, head of the Chabad Lubavitch Hassidic movement died in 1994. But don’t tell that to the Meshichtim, a vocal group within the movement who believe that Schneerson is the Messiah. That’s right. Is not was. They think he’s still alive. Or invisible. Or something. The Village Voice recently wrote about the situation in Crown Heights, the sort of capital of Chabad where Meshichtim and non-Meshichtim often slug it out. The article doesn’t really bring anything new to the table but I really enjoyed this one passage about “youthful 40-year-old mother of seven” Sara Kanevsky:

…people like Sara Kanevsky insist that he never died… Kanevsky’s is a world of constant miracles. Pictures of the rebbe plaster the walls of her third-floor apartment. Every night, she and her friends put on a trance CD of traditional Yiddish hymns set to techno music, and they dance for hours. They take belly-dancing classes that can start at midnight.

Yiddish techno? Late night belly dancing lessons? Chabad women writhing in ecstasy for hours? Is it just me or does that sound a little, you know… hot? I don’t mean to be dismissive, but many Meshichtim feel that once the messianic era is upon us, the normal rules of Judaism are suspended. As such Kanevsky often eats on fast days. One can only wonder what other rules no longer apply…

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ck

Founder and Publisher of Jewlicious, David Abitbol lives in Jerusalem with his wife, newborn daughter and toddler son. Blogging as "ck" he's been blocked on twitter by the right and the left, so he's doing something right.

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20 Comments

  • The Torah has many different views and opinions on unlimited matters, some of which will completley contradict. Your source does not negate, it may even further support. But it is well known that in the Geula each person will absorb and understand matters regarding or r/t the Geula each according to the work he or she has accomplished in Galus. One sees what they want to see. Perhaps that is why the Rebbe M’H said and stressed “WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE YOU WANT MOSHIACH?”

  • I AM A FRIEND OF SARA. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL IF ONE TAKES A GLIMPSE INTO JEWISH HISTORY, SOME OF THE GREATEST LEADERS HAVE A RATHER STRANGE OR UNTRADITIONAL TWIST IN CHANGING OR EVEN BRINGING SALVATION TO THE JEWISH PPL. IT IS A SHAME THAT MANY ARE JUDGING HARSHLY. WE LEARN FROM THE REBBE M”HM TO JUDGE FAVORIBLY. WE SHOULD ALSO REMEMBER THAT A REPORTER MUST GLAMORIZE THE FACTS MAKEING THEM INACURATE. SARA TRULY ACKNOWLEDGES THE REBBE M”HM PROPHESY THAT WE ARE IN THE TRUE AND COMLETE REDEMPTION AND THAT THE RAMBAM STATES THAT WE MUST NULLIFY THE FASTS!

  • you also dont know the least bit about crown heights or the Jews who live there. its like someone who is racist without having any black friends. an i am ticked you would write without this knowledge

  • i am chabad and this is not what most meshichistim are like . just the opposite their fervor about moshiach is about the future not acting as if we are in a new state. whoever wrote this article doesnt know what mishichist means and the amount of people like mentioned is probably around ……35 people!!!! this is a sick article PLEASE i beg of you take it off stop blaspheming “mishichist”or write anything else referring to people who mererly claim That the chabad rebbe shows signs of being possible or definite good choice as moshiach. a concept in itself skewed by a country steeped in christian beliefs.if one REALLY wants to judge with merit they will find that the vast majority of mishichistim believe points founded all from religious sources (if they remember where to look). Thank you

  • The rebbe is not moshiach, I am: normal human being. Actually more normal then any one of you, because I did my homework, the work everyone should have been doing. Regards. You jews have become capitalists, which is ANTI-TORAH and *wrong* !.

  • If thinks get really crazy she may expose her elbow or perhaps a knee…..RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR hot

  • If you want to see what the Schneersonians will become, read Gershom Scholem’s writing on Shabbatai Tzvi and the “Shabbatians”. It ‘aint pretty.

  • One can only wonder what other rules no longer apply…

    This friday at sundown Pig Roast in Crown Heights at the Kanevsky’s.

  • Tom, is it just me or does this story also make you think of Paulus’ stance that women should remain silent in church. No pseudo-feminist rants, please, in all good spirit he meant the hysterics and esoterics that he at his time often found among religious yet not religiously well-educated women that he knew would divert the attention from the core issues of the religion to a charismatic approach which initially Judaism and later on Christianity had left behind and outruled as Heathen practice. Just saying.

    Larry, next time I’m in town I’ll introduce you to people more hardcore than Chabad if you want.