https://hakirah.org/Vol%207%20Schochet.pdf
For many decades, the Conservative Movement sought to define itself as an authentic halakhic movement by selectively citing more liberal teachings and teshuvot from traditional sources.
This phenomenon ought not come as a surprise. Even the spokesmen and the followers of Shabbetai Ẓevi put forth great effort to authenticate his messianic identity by appealing to traditional, eschatological sources.
In truth, quoting an ancient view and using it as a modern movement’s mantra is not all that difficult a task. Our tradition is a broad one and diverse views are articulated on many issues in traditional sources. Minority voices are faithfully recorded in our sacred texts, and many an esoteric comment has been preserved for subsequent generations to study.
Two great works on Jewish ethics, Ḥovot haLevavot and Mesillat Yesharim, stand in interesting contrast to one another—to a great degree because of the deep Kabbalistic motifs of the latter that are lacking in the former. Yet, each is undeniably “authentic” to our tradition in spite of differences in emphases.
What is problematic is how followers of the Rebbe speak of him in a cult like fashion. Even our former chief rabbi would tell the same story about him for 30 years. Claiming that he was the greatest leader of all generations. But remaining conspicuously silent and failing to show his own leadership as chief rabbi of UK, when their moshiach meahugas was in full swing.
ReplyDeleteI remember my local meshulach looking at me with disgust when I told him I considered Rav Kook, ztk"l, as the greatest rabbi of the 20th century. I mean, obviously it was the Rebbe, the Nazi haDor, smarter than Shlomo HaMelekh, holier than Moshe Rabeinu, etc. How could I think otherwise?
DeleteBut this is the power of persistent PR and confidence. A Lubavitcher doesn't suggest that the Rebbe was the GOAT. He tell you as if it's the undisputed truth.
They don't know what Moshiach really is, but they have picked up on some of the aggadot and then try to frame the rebbe as this guy.
DeleteI remember in the 1990's how the Conservative slogan was "The authentic voice of traditional Judaism" even as they made it more obvious that Harold Kusher and not Saul Lieberman was the guiding force behind their "hashkafah".
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note that the system they used - cherry pick lenient opinions that had no halakhic force and announce that you're holding by those - was inherited by Open Orthodoxy to justify their narishkeit.