Whenever I write about Lubavitch it usually stirs up quite a bit of controversy. In my last entry on that subject once again some of the commentary revolved around the idea of: So what if they believe he is Moshiach? It isn’t Apikursus. Leave them alone and who cares what they believe!
Here's the thing: Lubavitch is big. It is getting bigger. It is spreading "The Word" to more places than ever. Will every Torah Jew ultimately become a Lubavitcher? No, of course not. But this is the first time in the history since the advent of Christianity that there is a significant chance for new "religion" to take hold born of Jewish roots. It is a different situation than that of the Sabbateans or the Frankists whose epoch was short lived. Both of those guys converted “out” of Judaism. The Rebbe died a Jew and even a saint in the eyes of many.
It is also true the current belief is not Apikursus. But the idea of a resurrected Christ (...Christ is derived from the Greek word Christos meaning Messiah) is not exactly what Judaism is about either. There is also a danger that at some point down the road the same thing might happen to Lubavitch that happened to Christianity. Remember that the first Christians were all sincere observant Jews who followed their "Rebbe". And just like the Rebbe, Jesus may have seen himself as Moshiach; not as God. That little gem of an idea occurred to someone else much later in history and along with it the idea that Christianity was not meant only for Jews but for all of mankind and as such the laws of the Torah no longer had to be observed, good ideas though they are.
Who is to say that the same thing won't happen to Lubavitch? They already have a few nutballs that think he is God.
The Rebbe is viewed by current Lubavitchers as a Christ. (I’m sure that word turns them off and makes them angry which is my reason for using it. They need to know exactly what they are preaching). Although it is now 2000 years later, the parallels are not that dissimilar. In fact Lubavitchers are more similar to early Hebrew Christians than they are to the Sabbateans because Shabsai Tzvi abrogated the need for observance of Halacha during his rein (i.e. before his capture and conversion to Islam).
So as I said, with the numbers being as great and increasing geometrically, and Kiruv being their main staple, I think there is a definite danger in them splintering off from mainstream Judaism at some point in the future and becoming another religion. Internally they will believe that THEY are the true bearers of our Mesorah and bring all kinds of “proofs” about the validity of their views. Additionally they can easily make the claim that they are the most Medakdek as a whole in Mitzvah observance and therefore the most rightful heirs to our Mesorah.
The rest of the Torah world will claim they are Apikursim or nearly that; and that their Hashkafos are contrary to our Mesorah. The result: two large segments of observant Jews claiming that each is authentic with one being seen by the other as inauthentic as Islam or Christianity. And both will be competing for the hearts and minds of fellow Jews. With Lubavitch’s Kiruv organization growing at unprecedented levels... well, do the math.
As I have said so many times, they were and could eventually still be one of the most valuable assets the Torah world possesses. Their Ahavas Yisroel is legendary as is their dedication to Kiruv. Their dedication to Torah and Mitzvos are exemplary. All they need to do is... come home. They need to stop being an entity unto themselves, reject in totality that their Rebbe is or will be Moshiach. If this happens maybe Moshiach WILL come soon.
Right now the opposite is happening.
