By COLlive reporter
Photo by Yossi Formansky
Rabbi Yehuda Leib Mintzberg, spiritual leader of the haredi Hamasmidim community in Jerusalem, has given a rare interview to the Kfar Chabad magazine.
The move is said to have created a stir in his community that is associated with the Old Yishuv of Jerusalem veterans and includes a yeshiva and 1000 families in a few locations in Israel.
Past statements attributed to Rabbi Mintzberg were critical of the 16th century kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Halevi Luria – “Arizal,” the founder of chassidism, the Baal Shem Tov and customs in Chabad, in addition to other Chassidic groups.
“In Pirkei Avos it says that ‘any gathering that is for the sake of Heaven is destined to endure.’ We of course don’t need any proof that the Rebbes ways are for the ‘sake of Heaven’,” he said in remarks that will appear in this week’s edition.
“Those who opposed his way have distinctly admitted that his whole being was dedication to the Creator, that he was a Jew of self-sacrifice. This also explains the success. This is the real explanation to the great secret of his activities and establishments that are not only existing but have grown stronger.”
“Everything holy has opposition. The greater the leader, the greater the opposition. The first leader that paved the way and had strong opposition was Moshe Rabeinu, the first leader of the Jewish nation.
“The same was with a leader like the Rebbe, who led in a special way – it was natural there was opposition. On one hand, it is a fact and there’s nothing to do about it. On the other hand, the good news is that the truth prevails and we see it in actuality.”
In regards to previous remarks, he said: “All the things that were supposedly said in my name about Lubavitch is a lie; When someone said something, they took it out of context and people with agendas exaggerated it.
“And in general, just who am I to come and dare say I have an understanding of someone like the Rebbe? On this it says (in Tehillim) ‘Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.'”
A real mench. I’m not trying to be funny or disrespectful. Seriously, a read yid, a real mench. The ramifications of an interview like this is amazing. First, A LOT of Yidden are going to take this Godol very seriously. (If it’s presented and advertised carefully and done well. But there’s money in it for anyone of us to do it).Yet, a lot won’t beleive that this story is true. That’s just how it is. Your saying he’s the ‘head’. If this is true wouldn’t it make sence that all or at least a lot of other ‘rosh yeshivas’, gedolim,… Read more »
‘Todah raabah’ Rabbi Yehuda Leib Mintzberg & COLlive.com
‘Todah raabah’ Rabbi Yehuda Leib Mintzberg & COLlive.com
it is important that the article be translated for those in Anash who do not understand ivrit well