 |
| Gerrer Rebbe - R' Yaakov Aryeh Alter |
I get that a all the time when I preface critical comments that way about various segment of Orthodox Jewry. But sometimes a statement like that is not reactive.
Lately, I have been highly critical of the world of Chasidim. Especially those who are - what I would call hard core loyalists to a particular Rebbe. And yet I can say with full sincerity and not the slightest bit of exaggeration that some of the people I most admire in this world are Chasidim.
In one case a dear friend who is Chasid of Ger is one of the most caring and giving people I know. The word ‘I’ does not exist in his vocabulary. He will go to the ends of the earth to do a fellow Jew a favor – regardless of their Hashkafa – or even their level of observance. And yet he is a dyed in the wool Gerrer Chassid.
I also happen to be a direct descendant of R’ Shimon Maryles ‘Yaraslover’ - a Chasidic Rebbe who lived in mid to late 18th century Europe. (One of the more interesting facets of my ancestor’s history is that his father, R’ Yisroel Leib Elbaum was a Misnagid – a fierce opponent of Chasidus. He was so opposed to his son becoming a Chasid that on his death bed he told his son, R’ Shimon’ that if he said Kaddish for him in the Nusach of Sephard that Chasdim use in prayer (by adding “V’Yatzmach Purkonei V’ Koreiv Meshichei) - he should not say Kaddish at all. (His story and its Halachic ramifications is cited by She'arim Metzuyim B’Halacha. But I digress.) Point is my Chasidic credentials are impeccable.
It is with all this in mind that I am going to explain why I believe that the Vilna Goan was right to oppose this movement. His opposition was vehement and unalterable. But with the advent of enlightenment and the Haskalah that followed among our people - which pulled a lot of them away from observance, opposition to Chasdius waned. Eventually Chasidm and Misnagdim joined forces to combat the onslaught of assimilation brought about by the enlightenment.
I am not convinced however that this opposition disappeared in its entirety. As R’ Moshe Feinstein wrote in one of his responsa in the Igros Moshe, ‘Who gave Chasidim the right to change the Nusach HaTefilla from Ashkenaz to Sephard?
What does it matter that the AriZal was the one who modified it? Who knows whether the AriZal himself changed his own Tefilos to his Kabalistic restructuring of it. Nusach Ashkenaz was established by the Anshe Kesesses HaGedolah (AKHG) – the Men of the Great Assembly - whose existence dates back to pre Mishnaic times. (The actual Sephardim - Jews of Middle Eastern heritage - have their own Mesorah about the AKHG composition of prayer. It is called Edot Mizrach. But Nusach Asheknaz is the Mesorah of European Jewry.)
The idea of a supreme leader whose opinions are seen as infallible is not a Jewish concept. Especially in our day when there is no prophecy. But this is what Chasidus has evolved into. There are many Chasidic Rebbes. And they are all treated as infallible by their Chasidim. They are considered to be possessors of the highest level of Ruach HaKodesh – the Divine Spirit which enables them to direct their Chasidim in how to serve God. The Rebbe knows best what God wants of His people. And therefore the blessings their Rebbe dispenses are treated ALMOST as though they emanated from God Himself.
How does one become a Rebbe today? That’s simple. They inherit it. Usually the oldest son. There is no competition. No matter how much or little they know. Works kind of the way a monarchy does. Some Chasidim actually refer to their Chasidus as a Melucha - a monarchy!
Now people can believe what they wish. Free country. But if one takes a hard look at what is going on in the world of Ger Chasidim right now, one would be hard pressed to see anything remotely resembling Ruach HaKodesh by the current Gerrer Rebbe.
These are harsh words. But I see no other way to describe what is happening in Ger. If that doesn’t destroy their claim as purest servants of God, I don’t know what does. There is currently a violent dispute among the Chasidim of Ger.
It appears that R’ Shaul Alter – the former Rosh Yeshiva of what was once Ger’s flagship Yeshiva, Sefas Emes and by far the more learned member of the Ger dynasty has succeeded in attracting many followers. About 500 Ger families have joined him to date. In a recent fundraising trip to the US he gave a Shiur to 1000s of people in Lakewood. That kind of adulation does not sit well with the Gerrer Rebbe. Who back in 2019 decreed that anyone that Davens (prays) in the Minyan of R’ Shaul Alter will be expelled from the Chasidim.
Ever since then there have been many altercations between the loyalists of each – mostly by adherents to the Rebbe attacking dissenters. Recently a Ger couple that decided to leave Ger and possibly join the other community resulted in his 2 teenage daughters running away from their home in what was at first thought to be a kidnapping by the Rebbe’s loyalists.
How far has this once mighty Chasidus fallen. The Rebbe’s 19th century ancestor, the Sefas Emes is one of the most respected Achroinim whose works are studied in Yeshivos all over the world. And Ger is not the only Chasidic dynasty where there has been a violent split over who should hold the reins of power. Satmar is another. Although things seemed to have calmed down there, to the best of my knowledge the issue of who is the real satmar Rebbe remians unsettled. And there is bad blood between the 2 brothers.
For me all this is a pretty good illustration of why the idea of an infallible leader who inherits his position is not Judaism.
Although Chasidism is now an accepted expression of Judaism, I believe that acceptance ought to be re-visited. The ways of Chasidus cannot possible by the ways of Judaism. Even if you discount all of my past critiques (e.g. the extreme modesty Takonos of Ger) the spectacle of violence by observant Jew against observant Jew in service to a Rebbe should be the final blow that finishes off this product.
I realize of course that there are are hundreds of thousands of Chasidim in the world that would take extreme umbrage at what I am suggesting. and I wouldn’t even blame them. They are not about to reject their Chasidic heritage going back many generations. Which means that things will probably only get worse.
It is also worth noting that the Chasidic concept of an all knowing Rebbe has infiltrated the non Chasidic Lithuanian Yeshiva world. Similar violent disputes have broken out between students of Roshei Yeshiva where each side claims their man is the rightful heir to throne of of the Yeshiva’s leadership. (Such as is the case with Ponevezh.)
While all the horses have long ago left the barn - in theory going back to a time where Chasidus did not exist would in my view be a major improvement for our people.
*Apologies to all - and thanks to the readers who caught my many errors. Most of which were the result of typos - albeit a bit more of them than usual. I believe I have corrected them all as well as clarifying a few of my previously ambiguous comments.
I am currently in a location that has poor access to the Internet and cannot always make the corrections immediately. I am not making excuses. Just providing an explanation by way of letting everyone know what my current circumstances are. Thank you all for your patience.
