Ardent Anti-Zionist, Strongly Pro-Israel

Loved peace and pursued peace yet fought battles to protect Judaism and Jews.

There is probably no one who stressed the importance of peace as a subset of Ahavas Yisroel, the unconditional love for every Jew.

The Rebbe not only preached peace but did everything in his power to bring peace between Chassidim, husbands and wives, and even between Israeli government ministers.

I am aware of the fact that the Rebbe did not allow Chabad to plant itself in several communities because it would cause discord in those communities.

Yet, the Rebbe did not hesitate to fight against policies that would prove harmful to the security of Israel or that would undermine the Torah and its Mitzvos.

For example, the Rebbe struggled to have the Law of Return amended that conversion must follow Halacha and that no compromises of Israeli territory could be made because of security reasons.

A political operative questioned one of the Rebbe’s decisions concerning the elections in Israel and argued that it would disrupt the peace between different Chassidic groups.

The Rebbe’s response was that unity among Chassidic groups was an admirable goal, but it doesn’t override matters of Pikuach Nefesh – life and death considerations.

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Demanded respect for and devotion to teachers and rabbis; yet was critical of the teachers’ and rabbis’ lapses.

The Rebbe went to great lengths to tell students that they must have an unconditional submission to their teachers. The same was said to members of the community that they must follow the directives of their rabbis. 

The Rebbe personally would consult with other rabbis when he had personal Halachic questions. While the Rebbe was more than competent to answer his own questions, in his humility and his desire to serve as a role model of showing respect and submission to Halacha, he deferred to the local rabbis.

However, the Rebbe did not hesitate to criticize the leadership for their lapses in their educational and communal responsibilities. 

In some cases, the Rebbe deviated from his stated position not to get involved with issuing Halachic rulings, leaving that for the rabbis. But when the Rebbe saw that the rabbis neglected to rule on certain issues or whose rulings were flawed, the Rebbe did not hesitate to make his position public.

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Opposed to Zionism but the most pro-Israel and was the source of inspiration and support for Israel and its leaders.

The Rebbe was an ardent opponent of modern Zionist ideology, but he was the strongest supporter of Israel’s independence and its security.

The Rebbe’s “quarrel” with modern Zionism (both secular and religious) is that they settled for less than what the Torah wants for Israel. 

While even some of the most right-wing Zionist were willing to make some compromises in Israel’s integrity and the integrity of Judaism, the Rebbe did not allow for any compromises. 

The Rebbe objected to referring to Israel as a medinah — a mere state. Israel, detached from its historical-Biblical moorings cannot survive. Only when we recognize that it is G-d’s land can Israel be strong. 

The Rebbe’s infinite love for Israel was recognized by Israel’s leaders. The president of Israel, Zalman Shazar was an ardent Chassid of the Rebbe, and all its Prime Ministers had tremendous respect for the Rebbe as a Jewish leader and as a lover of Israel. ■