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Statement of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, regarding 'betten' (beseeching) the Rebbe [quoted here]:

“It is not possible to ask a question about a [Rebbe being a] go-between, since this is G-d Himself, as He has clothed Himself in a human body.” (Likutei Sichos II:p. 510-511).

This seems to be a direct violation of two of the 13 Principles of Jewish Faith: That HKB"H has no corporeal representation, and has no physical embodiment, and that He is the only One to whom prayer is befitting, and praying to any other destination is heretical.

Is there any legitimate source in Rabbinic literature to support such a shocking statement (and justify it by reconciling this concept with the Principles of Faith)?

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    Define "legitimate". – Double AA♦ Jun 16 at 1:43
  • @chortkov2 First of all, Shavuah Tov. Without getting into a really deep discussion, in regard to your question, when you are in Shul praying with the minyan and the Shaliach Tzibbur begins to make the blessing, do you & everyone else respond, “Baruch Hu u’varuch Shemo”? If so, you are behaving like all the Jewish people. Have you ever stopped to consider what the difference is between “Him, meaning הוא” & “His name, meaning שמו”? Are they the same thing? Are they one? (Meaning הוא ושמו אחד.) If you reflect on this, you will have the answer to your question. – Yaacov Deane Jun 16 at 1:48
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    @YaacovDeane Probably most Jewish people have reflected on that and quickly concluded that He is not His name. Rather, His name is... His name. – Double AA♦ Jun 16 at 2:09
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    For those looking for a reference in the actual Sichos for the above quotation, see here and type in "511" into the page search. There you will see the original Yiddish words, "אז דאס איז עצומ''ה אליין, ווי ער האט זיך אריינגעשטעלט אין א גוף", which literally means exactly what the above says: "As this is G-d Himself, as he has personified himself in a body." – ezra Jun 16 at 3:06
  • @ezra With respect, you would probably get great benefit from looking at Sefer Dikduk HaGra, and Sefer HaShorashim from both Radak and Ibn Yanach (Janach). Many people, even those with a great deal of Torah learning, have no idea what is meant by the terms ‘mahuto’ and ‘atzmuto’. If you make the effort to understand these terms, then you will have proper comprehension of what the Rebbe is discussing. It’s not his innovation. He’s only repeating what has been found within Torah literally for millennia. B’vracha... – Yaacov Deane Jun 16 at 5:15

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