In a sharp letter addressed to a friend, renowned London scholar and Chabad Rabbi Chaim Rapoport responds to the recent controversy surrounding Shmuley Boteach's recent book "Kosher J"
He quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein who wrote "Everything that missionaries tried all these years and were not successful can be changed Heaven Forbid by Rabbis who lack intellect, who want to participate in interfaith dialogue with these people…"
Free translation from Hebrew
In a sharp letter addressed to a friend, renowned London scholar and Chabad Rabbi Chaim Rapoport responds to the recent controversy surrounding Shmuley Boteach's recent book "Kosher J". Free Translation from Hebrew:
I would like to express my opinion about the renowned author "Rabbi" Shmuley Boteach, who defines himself as a "Chabad Chossid" and his views are broadcast across the world.
First and foremost, his ideas writings and talks are known to all. Since his days in Oxford it was known to all that he is full of ideas which are against the Torah-true way, and even ideas which border on some of the major transgressions (Idolatry and Adultery).
Even though he has recently started a campaign to convince the masses to focus and discover the personality of Yoshke, to befriend the Goyim and to discover their religion, I still refrain from publicly denouncing him and his ideas, for: (1) It is a known public fact that Lubavitch of London has fired him from his Chabad post because of his ideas and actions, and as long as he is not welcomed back into our midst - serious people will not consider his ideas to be those of the Chabad movement Heaven Forbid; (2) I am worried that arguing about his book will cause the fulfillment of his intended goal (with all his books, especially the recent one), Heaven Forbid, and he will pride himself with the fact that people consider his ideas as valid, at least partially.
In regards to his recent book, about Yoshke and the 'obligation' to discuss his personality and his teachings in interfaith dialogues, there is no time to go thru each of his ideas and assumptions and dismiss them one-by-one, especially since the whole idea of discussing this fraud (a false prophet and false messiah) with people who dedicate their lives to grab Jewish souls and convert them to their faith, is a terrible danger to the Jewish nation, causing confusion and blurring the borders, starting a chain reaction with no predictable end in sight. This generation is especially vulnerable because of the fact that Jews are not suffering persecution in the hands of the Goyim, etc.
The foremost Posek of our generation, the honorable Rav Moshe Feinstein has clearly written in his responsa (Yoreh Deah Vol 3 Siman 43) about a similar venture, intefaith dialogues discussing Yoshke and his teachings:
And to us, Lubavitchers, who are connected to the Rebbe by following his directives, the Rebbe has already instructed us many times (among them in Igros Kodesh Vol 26 page 338) in regards to arguing or even "exchanging ideas" with the priests (whether face-to-face or in writing) that it shoul "absolutely forbidden"
In the Rebbe's words:
(1) These ideas cause that "every person will think that he is ready for the challenge of reading these topics, discussing them, and deciding which one is right." This will cause "a opening, a big breach in the protective walls . . for he is transgressing an explicit Torah transgression": "God commanded us not to read such books at all, and nor to think about them or any connected matter at all. Even to look at a figure is forbidden, as it is written, "Don't turn to idols". Concerning this matter it says, "...and don't inquire about their gods by saying, `How did these nations serve their gods?'", i.e. not to inquire about the method of worship even if one won't worship, because this causes one to worship and to do as they do" (Rambam Laws of Idolatry Chapter 2, Halacha 2).
(2) We have not seen or found "a single person who came closer to Judaism thru these dialogues" but we have seen that "speaking about these ideas causes confusion, and the lack of knowledge causes that people will develop wrong ideas, and even ideas which contradict the faith"
(3) "Since we are discussing a Torah transgression, which is one of the three major transgressions (Yehareg Ve'al Ya'avor), we have to be stringent even when in doubt (ספיקא לחומרא), ane especially in a case such as this when all doubts are removed",
Since we cannot allow ourselves to cause a Chilul Hashem, and not to support a transgressor, it is of paramount importance that the leaders of the Rebbe’s institutions should be careful not to give this author any opportunity to speak at Chabad events, and none of his articles or activities should be published in Chabad sites on the internet. It is obvious that he should not be invited to participate as guest of honor in any Chabad event.
Since he is a Jew, we are still obligated to bring him closer, to hope that G-d will cause him to return to Judaism, but we must be very careful not to allow him to voice his opinions etc, so the simple people will not think that he is still part of the consensus and his ideas are worthy of discussion (for, after all, he still carries the outward symbols of a Chabad Chossid, and people might fall in his trap).
To those who want to be “Mekarev” this author by giving him the right to voice his opinions, thinking that he will not cross the line again, they are obviously wrong, for all the people who knew him are aware of his personality, that he is not capable (as of now) of being restrained and limited in Judaism (or Mentschlichkeit), and even if he will be able to hold himself in for a short while – he will not be able to keep it up for long, because his whole interest is to be jump in front of everyone, to break the boundaries and to cause a ruckus. This is a known fact among all his friends, Jews and non-Jews alike…
Chaim Rapoport
London, England
Chabad.info
20 Tevet 5772 (15.01.2012)
http://www.chabad.info/index.php?url=article_en&id=25804
He quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein who wrote "Everything that missionaries tried all these years and were not successful can be changed Heaven Forbid by Rabbis who lack intellect, who want to participate in interfaith dialogue with these people…"
Free translation from Hebrew
In a sharp letter addressed to a friend, renowned London scholar and Chabad Rabbi Chaim Rapoport responds to the recent controversy surrounding Shmuley Boteach's recent book "Kosher J". Free Translation from Hebrew:
I would like to express my opinion about the renowned author "Rabbi" Shmuley Boteach, who defines himself as a "Chabad Chossid" and his views are broadcast across the world.
First and foremost, his ideas writings and talks are known to all. Since his days in Oxford it was known to all that he is full of ideas which are against the Torah-true way, and even ideas which border on some of the major transgressions (Idolatry and Adultery).
Even though he has recently started a campaign to convince the masses to focus and discover the personality of Yoshke, to befriend the Goyim and to discover their religion, I still refrain from publicly denouncing him and his ideas, for: (1) It is a known public fact that Lubavitch of London has fired him from his Chabad post because of his ideas and actions, and as long as he is not welcomed back into our midst - serious people will not consider his ideas to be those of the Chabad movement Heaven Forbid; (2) I am worried that arguing about his book will cause the fulfillment of his intended goal (with all his books, especially the recent one), Heaven Forbid, and he will pride himself with the fact that people consider his ideas as valid, at least partially.
In regards to his recent book, about Yoshke and the 'obligation' to discuss his personality and his teachings in interfaith dialogues, there is no time to go thru each of his ideas and assumptions and dismiss them one-by-one, especially since the whole idea of discussing this fraud (a false prophet and false messiah) with people who dedicate their lives to grab Jewish souls and convert them to their faith, is a terrible danger to the Jewish nation, causing confusion and blurring the borders, starting a chain reaction with no predictable end in sight. This generation is especially vulnerable because of the fact that Jews are not suffering persecution in the hands of the Goyim, etc.
The foremost Posek of our generation, the honorable Rav Moshe Feinstein has clearly written in his responsa (Yoreh Deah Vol 3 Siman 43) about a similar venture, intefaith dialogues discussing Yoshke and his teachings:
“It is obvious that this constitutes a serious transgression of the prohibition of Idolatry. This plague has spread in part as a result of an endeavor by the new pope and his master plan to convert the Jews from the holy and pure faith to their faith, they have realized that they will have greater success with this [interfaith dialogue] than with murders and hate (as it was common in the previous generations, and encouraged by the previous popes). It is therefore obvious that any contact or discussion with these people constitutes a transgression of the prohibition of Idolatry.
The persons who engage in this are considered “Maisit U’me’diach,” for although the Rabbis who engage in this practice will be careful with their words and will not acknowledge the priests and their ideas . . many other people will see their actions and start going to lectures by missionaries . . Everything that missionaries tried all these years and were not successful can be changed Heaven Forbid by Rabbis who lack intellect, who want to participate in interfaith dialogue with these people…”
And to us, Lubavitchers, who are connected to the Rebbe by following his directives, the Rebbe has already instructed us many times (among them in Igros Kodesh Vol 26 page 338) in regards to arguing or even "exchanging ideas" with the priests (whether face-to-face or in writing) that it shoul "absolutely forbidden"
In the Rebbe's words:
(1) These ideas cause that "every person will think that he is ready for the challenge of reading these topics, discussing them, and deciding which one is right." This will cause "a opening, a big breach in the protective walls . . for he is transgressing an explicit Torah transgression": "God commanded us not to read such books at all, and nor to think about them or any connected matter at all. Even to look at a figure is forbidden, as it is written, "Don't turn to idols". Concerning this matter it says, "...and don't inquire about their gods by saying, `How did these nations serve their gods?'", i.e. not to inquire about the method of worship even if one won't worship, because this causes one to worship and to do as they do" (Rambam Laws of Idolatry Chapter 2, Halacha 2).
(2) We have not seen or found "a single person who came closer to Judaism thru these dialogues" but we have seen that "speaking about these ideas causes confusion, and the lack of knowledge causes that people will develop wrong ideas, and even ideas which contradict the faith"
(3) "Since we are discussing a Torah transgression, which is one of the three major transgressions (Yehareg Ve'al Ya'avor), we have to be stringent even when in doubt (ספיקא לחומרא), ane especially in a case such as this when all doubts are removed",
Since we cannot allow ourselves to cause a Chilul Hashem, and not to support a transgressor, it is of paramount importance that the leaders of the Rebbe’s institutions should be careful not to give this author any opportunity to speak at Chabad events, and none of his articles or activities should be published in Chabad sites on the internet. It is obvious that he should not be invited to participate as guest of honor in any Chabad event.
Since he is a Jew, we are still obligated to bring him closer, to hope that G-d will cause him to return to Judaism, but we must be very careful not to allow him to voice his opinions etc, so the simple people will not think that he is still part of the consensus and his ideas are worthy of discussion (for, after all, he still carries the outward symbols of a Chabad Chossid, and people might fall in his trap).
To those who want to be “Mekarev” this author by giving him the right to voice his opinions, thinking that he will not cross the line again, they are obviously wrong, for all the people who knew him are aware of his personality, that he is not capable (as of now) of being restrained and limited in Judaism (or Mentschlichkeit), and even if he will be able to hold himself in for a short while – he will not be able to keep it up for long, because his whole interest is to be jump in front of everyone, to break the boundaries and to cause a ruckus. This is a known fact among all his friends, Jews and non-Jews alike…
Chaim Rapoport
London, England
Chabad.info
20 Tevet 5772 (15.01.2012)
http://www.chabad.info/index.php?url=article_en&id=25804
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