Search



Comments

« Under The Banner Of Heaven • Home • Homophobia »

Lubavitch messianism

• Wishful Thinking

Jonathan Mahler writes in The New York Times of a small Hasidic splinter group.

It looks almost like a rain dance, only instead of precipitation, these Lubavitchers are trying to hasten the arrival of the messiah. There's just one problem. The words of the accompanying song -- ''May our master, teacher and rabbi, the king messiah, live forever'' -- refer specifically to a man who died nine years ago: Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the grand rabbi and spiritual leader of the Lubavitch movement from 1951 until 1994. The Yechi, as it is known, is sung as a demonstration of faith that their beloved rebbe will be back soon -- rising from the great beyond in a manner more befitting Jesus Christ than the savior of the Jewish people.

Waiting for the Messiah of Eastern Parkway

[Listening to: The Man That Got Away - Ella Fitzgerald - (5:21)]

Richard Evans Lee
September 21, 2003 •
BlinkList • del.icio.us • Digg it • Furl • ma.gnolia
RawSugar • Shadows • Simpy • Spurl • Yahoo MyWeb
Top↑

Comments

..Oh yeah.. ..Eschaton is immanent.. ..Coming soon, sukkas.. ..Them kaballists ain't kiddin.. ..Babylon in yr grill.. LftHndPthNThHsSy: YEAH!

Posted by: Gitcha | September 26, 2003 3:33 PM

Lubavitch messianism – is a rigorously complex and vastly intricate area of study, any sociological or flippant pop-psychology - analysis is bound to be deeply flawed. Popular articles – such as the one mentioned above can only really scratch at the very surface of the phenomenon, admittedly they paint an interesting picture and do capture something of what is going on, however the essential kernel of the movement, its religious philosophy and how it understands itself – are lost. Any attempt to try and understand someone else – or something ‘Other’ – Is to start with the overwhelming realisation that there is an infinite gap between you and the other, that unless you let go of all your preconceptions and beliefs – and embrace this void - you will never come to understand the other. What I mean to say is – we must all start with a certain sense of humility and respect towards another – and allow space within ourselves for there existence – to empathise and to embrace. Only then can we really feel what it is like to be in a situation similar to them – only then can we begin to see the world from their point of view - And only then can we be critical.

Posted by: Max | September 2, 2004 4:14 AM

How do you feel?

Feel free to share your feelings about Lubavitch messianism. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard

Monthly Summaries

March 2007, February 2007, January 2007, December 2006, November 2006, October 2006, August 2006, July 2006, June 2006, May 2006, April 2006, March 2006, February 2006, January 2006, December 2005, November 2005, October 2005, September 2005, August 2005, July 2005, June 2005, May 2005, April 2005, March 2005, February 2005, December 2004, November 2004, October 2004, September 2004, August 2004, July 2004, June 2004, May 2004, April 2004, March 2004, February 2004, January 2004, December 2003, November 2003, October 2003, September 2003, August 2003, July 2003, June 2003, May 2003, April 2003, March 2003, February 2003, January 2003, December 2002, November 2002, October 2002, September 2002, August 2002, May 2002, April 2002, March 2002,

Recent Posts



Thematic Archives

Powered by
Movable Type 4.0

Syndication


Edifying Spectacle
Index
Wishful Thinking
Lubavitch messianism
Top of page