These aren't just Hasidim - they're Lubavitchers. The only prosyletizing Jewish sect I know of.
Look for photos of a very old rabbi on the side of vans, RVs or billboards in the area. That's Rabbi Schneerson, who was supposed to be the Moshiach, but died a couple years ago.
They're the ones who maintain a piece of string around Miami Beach at about 10-12 feet up. The string is an imaginary wall, making the city a single house, so they can walk around on the Sabbath without "leaving home."
During Hurricane Andrew, there was a hotline so they would know if the string was up or down. Don't ask me how they dialed a phone on Shabbas - I don't know.
One site: http://www.chabad.org/
Another: http://www.lubavitch.com/
And here's a good overview (non-Lubavitch).
quote:In 1940 the head of the movement Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson moved to America from Russia. From the outset he expressed his determination to make the Lubavitch movement into an American religious movement (e.g., by abandoning the traditional European long frocks in favour of American-style dress).
The aggressive posture was especially encouraged by his successor Rabbi Menahem Mendel Schneerson.Under his leadership the movement established a complex of religious and educational institutions (including publishing houses, billboards, telethons, as well as children's clubs and summer camps) whose principal objective was to reach out to the vast numbers of American Jews who had grown up without any real exposure to "authentic" religious Judaism.
In pursuing its objectives the Lubavitch movement made efficient use of the full range of American advertising and public relations media. Chabad was particularly influential during the 1960's and early 1970's when the youth culture of the day was rebelling against the materialistic institutions of the large religious movements in favour of spiritual alternatives. Through its campus "Chabad Houses," the Lubavitch movement was able to present itself as a credible alternative to Eastern religions, drug culture, radical politics and other foreign paths that were attracting Jewish youth.
along with a letter from a Lubavitch believer:
quote:As to what transpired on Gimmel Tammuz, there is some debate. But note that many sources state clearly that Moshiach can come from among the dead. Of course, in my opinion and in the educated opinion of many Lubavitchers, the Rebbe did not die. In the sefer Arba Meos Shekel Kessef, by R. Chaim Vital, he states that Moshiach will disappear briefly, while he receives the soul of Moshiach, and will then reappear, at which point everyone will flock to him.
Also note that the Rebbe himself said that this generation is different than the previous generation in that there will be no histalkus, and that the Nasi haDor is not subject to geniza. There are many other things the Rebbe stated, telling us that he is Moshiach, and to one who is intellectuallly honest with himself, there is no doubt.
There's plenty more on that site.
It's also worth mentioning that there some big scandals involving Chabad charities down here - mishandling funds in some way.
[ 22-03-2002: Message edited by: grant ] |
