Remembering the Lubavitcher rebbe (Ha'aretz)
By Daniel Ben Simon
The memorial ceremonies surrounding the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Lubavitcher rebbe are overshadowed by controversy: Is Menachem Mendel Schneerson dead or still alive?
Members of the Hasidic sect Chabad have been preparing for months for this event, which will take place this evening when thousands crowd into the Yad Eliyahu stadium in Tel Aviv.
But a giant pall hangs over these celebrations. It turns out that other Hassidim from the Chabad clan intend to hold a separate event in the Rebbe's honor, with thousands convening at the large amphitheater in Bat Yam. The latter will celebrate without making any reference to the rabbi's death, as though he were still alive and continuing to shower his love on the movement that viewed him as the messiah.
A note of sadness, not to say gloom, has therefore crept into the central celebration. What was supposed to be the biggest event of the decade is about to expose the deep rift within the extended Chabad family. The thousands at Yad Eliyahu will participate in a memorial service, while their competitors in Bat Yam will take part in a colorful and merry celebration. While participants in Tel Aviv will hear sermons and speeches and Torah wisdom delivered by great contemporary rabbis in memory of the rebbe, the Hassidim in Bat Yam will dance and sing in the rebbe's honor.
It is already clear that most Hassidim will rush to Yad Eliyahu, because most have come to terms with the rebbe's death and have turned over a new leaf in the history of the Hasidic movement.
Bat Yam meanwhile will host Chabad youths and others who refuse to accept the rebbe's departure. Despite having heard of his burial plot, and despite not having seen him since his death, they are convinced that his body and spirit still hover above, undetectable by the human eye.
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For more on the controversy and its historical context, go here.
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