An important contribution to Chabad after the Rebbe’s passing

[Hat tip to R’ Dovid]

This is an erudite and honest (in my opinion) analysis and critique of  “the Rebbe is Moshiach” within elements of Chabad by R’ Yechezkel Sofer. He was vilified for taking this position, and was rudely called “Yechezkel Kofer” by the lunatic fringe. Apparently, R’ Shalom Dov Ber Wolpe wrote a rejoinder entitled “Sefer, Sofer, Sippur” but I have not seen this.

R’ Sofer is a distinguished educator whose online Shiurim in Sefer Hatanya, are popular. I’m not sure, but I think he may also the same Rabbi cited here as controversially allowing polygamy?

At any rate, his viewpoint isn’t a solitary one by any stretch. Other well-known Chabad Rabbis who have similar views include:

• Rabbi Berel Levin, the chief editor of the new edition of the Shulchan Aruch Harav
• Rabbi Leibell Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva in Miami & his son Rabbi Chaim Shapiro, Rosh Beis Medresh Lehora’a in Morristown
• Rabbi Yosef Avrohom Heller, Rosh Kollel of Crown Heights and arguably the most prominent Posek in Chabad today
• Rabbi Ezra Shochet, the brilliant rosh yeshiva of Ohr Elchanan of LA
• Rabbi Chaim Rappaport, who needs no introduction

I particularly enjoyed his analysis of the Rambam’s position in Hilchos Melachim. It was common place and still is, to hear people misappropriate some phrases therein (viz Neherag).

I gave away a copy last night to a Meshichist Meshulach from India who recoiled upon seeing that it didn’t say שליט’א … but נשמתו בגן עדן מקדם or נשמתו בגנזי מרומים

Author: pitputim

I've enjoyed being a computer science professor in Melbourne, Australia, as well as band leader/singer for the Schnapps Band. My high schooling was in Chabad and I continued at Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh in Israel and later in life at Machon L'Hora'ah, Yeshivas Halichos Olam. View all posts by pitputim