Teachings of Chabad (Lubavitch) - controversial or not?

Question

I have been reading about Chabad Lubavitch and, since I have started to be in contact with a local group, I am in doubt about the Chabad messianism (belief of some adherents about the last Rebbe).

How is the Chabad viewed in the Orthodox community with regard to this, for example if one studies in a Chabad Yeshiva will the knowledge gained be valid from the point of view of other Orthodox communities?

Maybe there are comments on this is particular (different communities may have different views but I can read them all and see for myself)?

Maybe the question is irrelevant and all the Yeshivas the same because the texts are the same?

Or maybe this 'controversy' does not affect the teaching or status of Chabad since it is not all members of Chabad holding the belief and those who do, do not teach it to newcomers?

Answer 1

Being a follower of Chabad Lubavitch, I will approach this question from my perspective. It appears from your question that your primary concern with the Chabad philosophy is what you term "Chabad Messianism", and how that is perceived by other Orthodox groups. I am assuming you are referring to the belief that the Rebbe is Moshiach. I wish clarify from the start that it not my intent to debate this fact or not.

From my experience I have seen the vast majority of other Orthodox groups to be quite respectful and accepting of Chabad and consider us to be a branch of authentic Orthodox Judaism. There is always the radical vocal few that will dismiss us as Messianics, possibly without even taking the time to understand our view. Often there are other reasons behind the animosity and this is just used as an forum to argue.

[It is also important to note that is impossible to generalize that Chabad holds one way or another on this issue. I have personally encountered Lubavitchers, include Rabbonim with diverse views on the subject. Anyone who makes a blanket statement that Chabad holds x is simply wrong. Additionally it is important to remember that Chabad is an extremely inclusive group, and thus there is a very diversere group of people claiming to be Chabad. Also, those who subscribe to a more radical viewpoint are by nature more vocal so it is difficult for outsiders to hear the mainstream views.]

Answer 2

Chabad is controversial because it challenges the mind to intellectually grasp the concept that the Atzmus (Essence of) Ein Sof (the Infinite Light) is present although concealed in every aspect of this physical world.

This above mention is idea can be explained through the concept of Tzimtzum. Is G-d's light contracted ie: removed from the world, or is it merely concealed, vested in creation with a purpose for the Jew to reveal it? The Lubavitcher Rebbe breaks it down to four ways of understanding (Source: Marbitzei Torah U’Mussar, Vol. III, p. 66.)

a) the tzimtzum should be interpreted literally, and moreover, that it affected G-d’s essence. The proof offered in defense of this theory is that it is impossible for the King to be found in a place of filth, Heaven forbid;

b) the tzimtzum should be interpreted literally, but that it affected only His light;

c) the tzimtzum should not be interpreted literally, but it affected the Source of light as well; and

d) the tzimtzum should not be interpreted literally, and it affected only His light.

A is followed by the Vilna Gaon and is the main maklokes between Chabad and Vilna.

R' Chaim Volozin actually holds by C and the Lubavitch Rebbe (while admits he has no proof) heard that R' Chaim was familiar with Chabad text and tried to find a resolution between Chabad and the Vilna Gaon.

Chabad follows option D and this is where the controversy begins.

Tzimtzum only effecting the light ie: revelation of G-dliness means that G-d can vest himself in this world and reveal himself through Jews, Torah, and Mitzvos.

This is the foundation of Chabad Chassidus, which is to make a Dira B'Tachtonim (Dwelling place below) for Hashem. This is sole purpose of creation and the concept has been foreign since the Churban and limited to small circles of kabbalists. Chabad revealed it to the world and this is the root of any and all controversy.

Torah Or, in the maamar Pasach Eliyahu Likkutei Torah, in the additions to Sefer Vayikra, the maamar Lehavin Mashekasuv beSefer Otzeros Chayim; Shaar HaYichud; Sefer HaMitzvos, [the maamarim entitled] Mitzvas Haamanas Elokus, and Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefillah (beginning ch. 34); in the Siddur, [the maamar] on the verse Zecher Rav Tovecho. In the maamarim of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, that have been printed, [the subject is discussed] in [the maamarim entitled:] Al Yipater Adam [56]89, Dirshu Havayah [5]691, Al Kein Yomru [5]691, [Sichos] Shavuos [5]693, p. 8, and Tov Li [5]697.

The above all sources from this above sourced letter.

“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 controversial enough? The Tzaddik is a Chariot for Hashem. Avraham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov are all called chariots. (See Ch. 46 of Tanya) What is a chariot? It is something you get inside and control it to aid you in your bidding. But more importantly, a chariot is an object with no will of its own. It does exactly what its driver wants it to.

Answer 3

Really interesting thread. I think it does illustrate at least one reason why Chabad is "controversial": You can see from the comments that Chabad people have their traditions about the attitudes of the rest of the Orthodox world, and the rest of the Orthodox world sees those traditions as being inaccurate, out of touch. "Everyone else disagrees with us about ___ concerning tzimtzum, etc." "The Vilna Gaon came out against us because ___."
It would never occur to them to ask us.
I love Chabad guys and get along well with them, but they don't ever pay any attention to what the rest of the Orthodox world does or thinks. They do their own thing. That has its strengths and its disadvantages.
Update: I note that the original question was about messianism, and maybe I got distracted by the comments. But truth is that I think the messianism is also linked to what I wrote: If Chabad were more connected with the rest of us, they would not have gotten so deeply invested in a messianic theory that the rest of us thought was nuts.

Answer 4

Generally they are accepted (people would join them for a minyan, for example, except for maybe the more crazy messianics).

However, when it comes to halacha the rest of the Jewish world all follow the Shulchan Aruch (more or less) and Chabad do have a few significant differences from that, which also seem to be against the simple reading of all earlier sources. Most notable among them are that they do not eat Seudah Shlishis (the third meal) on Shabbos, and they do not sleep in a Succah. (Nowadays a lot of people don't sleep in the Succah, but they accept it is an obligation and have special reasons not to, such as the weather. Chabad don't hold of it being an obligation at all, which is a very different matter)

I am definitely not chas vesholom saying anything against the Baal HaTanya who wrote the Shulchan Aruch HaRav (which they follow). They certainly have their reasons (probably rooted in Kabbalah). However, since it is different from the mainstream practice, this could be a reason for people not accepting them.

Answer 5

The Alter Rebbe was the main disciple of the Maggid who was the main disciple of the baal shem tov who's teachings stem from the AriZAL and Etz Chaim which is accepted by everyone, including the vilna gaon, the only legitimate contraversery was a bunch of false reports made to the vilna gaon which implied the alter rebbe didn't follow the torah chas veshalom, and therefore he refused to meet with him, but those repots have been proven false a number of times, and the main reason for misnagdim in the first place was because they thought that chabad would cause people to go away from judaism, but time has shown the opposite, that those who subscribe to the vilna gaon in general became reform or conservative (AKA total karites) and those who kept to chabad and chasidism are the more frum people of the world, so there is no basis to it at all in any way whatsoever in the slightest ever

Answer 6

In America Chabad is better organized than elsewhere and it is closer to mainstream Jewishness than elsewhere, but they still suffer from a very strong Zionist leaning which is not in line with mainstream Jewish belief.

In addition they have involved themselves in kiruv (bringing others close) uberalles, it is now increasingly common for people who become religious through Chabad having to leave because Chabad events do not hold to mainstream standards of gender separation and other issues.

Thus, some see them as having removed themselves from mainstream Jewish practice, possibly the price of inclusiveness.