Today I spent the day in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. I walked all over asking Hassid's what they thought about Moshiach. One guy, a Lubavitcher told me he was sure Menachem Schneerson was NOT the Messiah. On this we agree I told him. What about you he asked? I am a Jew who believes Y'shua ha Notzri is the Moshiach. Oooooooh. One of those, he said. Yep. Look, you have your opinion. I have mine. Lets leave it at that. Away he went. Most were afraid to speak openly to me about their thoughts and feelings. They were afraid to be seen talking to me. What is apparent to me is that most of these Hassidim are very isolated and afraid to do something or consider ideas that would get them in trouble with their community. They don't consider anything unless their rabbi is ok with it. These people have an image in the world of being very pious. At least that is what most Gentiles think and many Messianic Jews too. It isn't an accurate portrait. They are men and women wearing costumes but caught up in a cult of mind control and behavior control. Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for them is that they might be saved.....
posted by DavidBrickner at 6:48 PM
3 Comments:
Post-modern Orthodox.
David:
Have you worshiped with them? I have. I attend Chabad regularly. I have been to their homes and also observed them as spouses and
parents.
I frankly do not see anything cultish about them and in fact do find something to substantiate the idea that they are living better integrated lives and frankly are much less dysfunctional than the vast
majority of messianic Jews and their families, whose homes and
families I have likewise visited extensively. Observant Jewish people are not perfect. However they do not represent themselves as such and in my opinion we have much to learn from them about relating to God, to each other, and the world at large.
I don't speak as a theologian. However I am a believer in Yeshua and have been a practicing Psychiatrist for many years. And I have spent 30 years among Messianics.
I ask you again, have you spent much time knowing these people? As a diagnostician myself, I know full well that one must first lay aside one's preconceptions and, as much as possible, come to intimately know one's patient on his or her own terms and with respect for their own
value system before making a diagnosis. I am afraid you have not done so, and have diagnosed and prescribed prematurely and in error.
For you, as for me, this is a serious professional breech.
The diagnosis might be said to say more about you than about them. Having said that I have to admit that I have not had much experience with JFJ and have heard similar things before from leadership from other organizations. I will therefore leave you to reflect upon whether this applies to you. I will say strictly based upon my observations that if I were to make my personal religious choices strictly on the basis of the health and the character of the people involved it would be a slam dunk.And not for Messianic Judaism.
And I would hope that that comment might give potential missionaries to the Jews reason to pause. At least for a moment before they commit mass Lashan Hara.
Shalom.
Menachem
Menachem,
I can only speak of my experience and you are speaking from your own. Perhaps you have only been exposed to a more modern Chabad community. My reference was more to the very dependent and closed off communities we are working around in Kiryas Joel, Williamsburg, Boro Park. They are completely dependent on the rebbe, live in a great deal of isolation and fear....that is what we see.
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