By COLlive reporter
A brief report last weekend on COLlive.com about the Purim Shpiel at the Satmar Beis Medrash in Williamsburg has sparked an uproar over what seemed like a comedian imitating the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
279 comments were written (not all are published), many complaining that the Satmar Rebbe Reb Zalman Leib Teitelbaum sat at the head of the table during the comedy act and didn’t condemn or try to stop it.
Commentors on COLlive were debating whether it was an insult to imitate the Rebbe singing “Tzamah Lecha Nafshi” and other niggunim or merely a Purim skit.
One Satmar chossid explained to COLlive that it is not uncommon to imitate various Chassidic leaders – even their own – during the festivities of Purim.
The executive board of The Satmar Beis Medrash Yitav Lev, however, did seem to think there was a problem with the Shpiel.
A public apology signed by their “hanhala” is published in this week’s edition of Der Yid, a weekly newspaper in Yiddish associated with Reb Zalman Leib.
Published on page 3 of the paper, the advertisement didn’t mention Chabad-Lubavitch by name, or the Lubavitcher Rebbe, but it goes on to explain that the skit was a mistake that will not be repeated.
They said they were not aware of the nature of this frum comedian or his characters.
Satmar is not the only venue this comedian plays the Rebbe. Videos on YouTube show him at a Yeshiva doing the same – mostly imitating the Rebbe singing and how he ended saying a sicha or maamar.
Satmar has another group led by the Rebbe Reb Aaron Teitelbaum, based out of Monroe, New York, and should not be confused with the Williamsburg group.
you are right!
are nice kind, friendly,and want to be friends. They really do, Someone even suggested solving the shidduch crisis within Lubavitch by marrying their (old) boys who are 22-23. They would even convert to marry our girls, THIS IS FIRSTHAND INF0
FROM SATMER ITS A BARGIN
For the non- yiddish speakers, this was a very parve and lukewarm apology. It was quite obvious who the “comedian” was immitating. The apology, if that’s what it was, should have similarly been directed to the subject of the offense.
LOL I noticed that also 🙂
they made an apology so just accept it! Be a chossid!
good job col!
the apology is not sincere its only because the tremendous uproar, i am not sure if this is the satmer faction that in the begining were calling themselves the “noaam hamidos party”
14-who says the Satmar Rebbe gleefully laughing ???
21 (and most of you)-it is an apology no less
28-agreed
33-me too (and if you were sarcastic, im not)
APPLAUD THEM FOR THE GOOD THEY DID, NOT FOR WHAT THEY DIDNT DO
the real satmer reb ahrons faction is steering satmer in a more peacful co living with all chasidus, and according to my buis.collegue which was at the reb ahrons tisch on shishan purim the directive of the rebbe was that no adult should be badchening in order not to offend any individual which was the norm in the past but never did they take an individual rebbe or godol and mock him this is a first reb ahron has no problem with his shwer the viznitser rebbe, and neither with davening at a chabad house I tip my hat (bentdown)… Read more »
we are upset
we are venting our feelings
we are voicing our opinions
we are NOT fighting ChV’Sh
It makes TOTAL sense to publish the “apology” in “their” newspaper. The “hanholah” has to educate THEIR people that what happened was wrong. We all know it was wrong – they don’t need to tell us that! But their community might think it was okay – even endorsed by their authorities. So this isn’t really an “apology” but an educational message to their community that this program was not condoned. Satmar feels they don’t “owe” us any apology. We, cannot be moichel or “reject” and be makpid on what they have. But they can be “mesaken” (rectify) the damage they… Read more »
During this past Shushan Purim (expression”which has passed to a good end”) seudo in our big beis medrash, there was amongst the various “simchas purim” (purim entertainment) made an well-known introduction that the chachomim were not pleased by it.
We feel it is our duty to advertise that this was not done with the fore knowledge of the kehillo and we hope that in the future such things will not occur and may it be His will that such a stumbling block will not be made by ourselves.
Hanholo of the community
they also immitated reb Ahron which they hate the same as they hate us,the tone of politics is dictated by the former gabai moshe fridman which is considered the powerman in satmer and is the owner of the news paper “DER YID”,
However I think more effort should be put into that letter. Although I do not know Hebrew, it looks short.
-Anonymous
in light of history in light of their low behavior in light of their below par apology i really think it is within our dignity to have all their products off our shelves no big deal no anger plain and simple statement of AD KAN i will still have ahavas yisroel for you but they lost the privilege of doing business with us enough! esp in light of their wrong doings in the past the apology should have been over the top anyone who is making light of this does not know the history the very painful history sorry, this… Read more »
to give cheap forgiveness to a cheap apology?
what ARE you saying?
there are limits
being nice is one thing
being stupid is another
unfortunately bc i did grow up
i see how to deal with this
by keeping far away from them as possible
like the Rebbe said years ago
not their schechita
not their money
not their hechshairim
enough is enough PERIOD.
Their apology is worse than their perpetration!
Being that on the past Shushan Purim, at the Meal in our Grand Beis Medrash, among the different Purim celebrations, there was a presentation that “does not please our wise men”
We feel the obligation to inform that this was done without the foreknowledge of our community, and we hope that in the future such things will not take place, and may it be God’s will that we do not stumble.
The Hanhala of the Community.
Grow up!! who gave you authority to wage war in the Rebbe’s name? are you that mekushar that you feel the need to ridicule people after they went out of their way to extend an apology?
Stop fighting and lobbing verbal abuse, behind the cloak of net!
for us non Yiddish speakers?
I like the comment posted by #4
You obviously know nothing about Poilisher Rebbes. You are just as ignorant as those making fun in Williamsburg!
Is this what you call “apologyzing”? There is no mention at all of the wrong they committed nor did they mention the person they offended with their disgusting act. I know thy’re talking about the mocking of the Rebbe, but they avoid mentionning it! I’m someone who easily forgive, but nobody can call those words an “apology”, and to accept them as such is ridiculous. Ahavas Yisroel does not mean being stupid. They’re playing with our nerves. Moreover, what’s the point of publishing it in a Satmar blatt? WHO in Satmar cares about their apologyzes? They didn’t wrong Satmar, they… Read more »
Did you intend to be # 28 which is “bigmatria” Yechi .
This isn’t an apology. A true apology says “We were wrong to show such disrespect the Lubavicher Rebbe, we sincerely ask Mechila from the Lubavitch community worldwide & it will never happen again.”
Forget flowery language. Say it LIKE YOU MEAN IT!
The Moshiach flags came after Degel Hatorah in Israel was founded by Rav Shach. Both have caused and continue to cause harm to Lubavitch.
A poylisher rebbe ken men nisht nochmachen: You cannot immitate a poylisher rebbe, because how would you immitate him? put on a whit beketche, close your eys and scream “shabbo”? then you would actualy be a poylisher rebbe, you wouldn’t be just immitating one.
They should know better bichlal,
and what about their yiras shamayim for the holiness of the day? so much wrong here, so much….
will never trust them,
may have to forgive bc who wants the burden of the ill feeling
but will never trust them
the behavior goes deep
and the weak apology is another insult actually!
bc when realizing their wrong
they still could do THAT properly either.
FEH! FEGH! FEGGHH!
it could be written for the misnagdim they make fun of aswell…
When the whole world will imitate Chabad’s Ahavas Yisroel-Acceptance of Moshiach openly with Moshiach flags, and learning the Rebbe’s Sichos, Moshiach will come. Remember in the midbar all yidden carried Flags like it says in chumesh “Ish Al Diglo”
Nonsense! Their Rebbe was sitting there and lauging!! He did NOT get up BESHAS MAASA and instruct to stop!! This is total unaceptable.
“uhn kein faroisdige yediah fun di kehilla?”
shtika kehodaa!!!
they should have all yelled feh! but instead they laughed!
they don’t spell out what they are talking about in this apology.
VERY VERY WEAK, like their arms where twisted to come out with this.
The Rebbe needs to aplogize for laughing. #14 hit the nail on the head.
I saw a clip where they did the same thing with the Satmar Rebbe Reb Aharan with a greater tumult!
They did the right thing acher hamaase.
Kol Yisroel Chaverim!
Moshiach Now!!!
sorry,
bad taste left…
and besides…it wasn’t a full apology
it skirted around their wong
i will put it behind
but….yes, there is a but
i will still keep a distance
there is history, plus this, plus that.
enough.
That was a real mentchdic thing to do!
even if they didnt HAVE to apologize, whatever it was they proved to show good responsibility over whatever happened there. Now thats Ahavas Yisroel 🙂
In my school on Purim Shpeils we imitate other students and teachers, i think it would be good to come up with a guide on these shpeils, as to when theyre funny, or just not respectufull so we can all follow good guidelines in our purim simcha 🙂
Moshiach NOW!
they r playing wiyh fire
ye ye
The apology from the “Hanhalah” from the shul for unwittingly allowing the program does NOT in any way, shape or form apologize for the Satmar Rebbe gleefully laughing at the disgusting antics with unabandoned joy and implied approval. If the program was scheduled without prior knowledge of its contents – a “shogeg”, IF this is true (and that is a capital “if”), would excuse allowing the program. However, to partake in and to be “ne’hne m’sudas Achashveriosh”, with “kavonah and b’mezid”, as their rebbe did, is simply unconscionable. At the very least HE, their rebbe, should apologize for HIMSELF acting… Read more »
As we all know it is not easy to admit a wrong. Thus, I’d like to commend them for apologizing. I encourage my fellow chassidim not be kanoyim at this point, and to accept an apology when it is offered. If we only we all learnt to do this and apologize when we are wrong, the world would be a much better place. Let us remember that at this critical time in Jewish history, it is very important for yidden to be b’achdus. PS The kanoyim will say that they can’t accept an apology, because it is not ‘far reaching’… Read more »
DIDAN NOTZACH, ayayayayaya
Honestly, I knew they would apologize. The outcry was too great with more than 200+ comments on COL (most of them were to express shock and disgust). They couldn’t do anything else than apologize.
אויב דער גאנצער עולם מיט זייער אדמו”ר און בי”ד וכו’ האבען געזעצען און געהערט אדער געלאכט מיינט דאס אז זיי האבן הנאה געהאט, נאר יעצט האבען זיי זיך געכאפט אז ס’איז נישט גוט פאר זיי
the fact that their leader sat through it and did not protest, speaks volumes. Perhaps more that the skit itself.
i think satmar are nice people bpnimius just they lack a little respect i think were going over the top here sorry
Let us put this behind us. The Rebbe would have wanted the same.
I guess i’ll see it this shabbos when i’m flipping through my copy of “Satmar Today” B”H, i get it delivered to my doorstep here in CH.
Who are they kidding, let them publish it on col and other publications we actually read!!
they do not have to apologize for imitating us. We imitate them, and we wear striemels on purim as well. All yidden are yidden, and its tragic were at odds with each other.
And as explained in this article, they imitate all Rebbe’s including their own, and if they were able to do this on Purim, maybe were on better “terms” than we think. I dont think they did it out of spite, i think they did it because they admire the rebbe.
Very nice…
There is a famous story of the Satmar Rebbe (Rav Yoel) when at a simcha a comedian asked the Satmar Rebbe asked for permission to imitate the Satmar Rebbe. The comedian began a perfect imitation of the way the Satmar Rebbe davened with all his nuances and motions. In middle the Satmar Rebbe began to cry. The comedian stopped and ran over to the Satmar Rebbe and begged fogiveness for having hurt the Satmar Rebbe’s feelings. The Satmar Rebbe said “you didn’t hurt my feelings. When you imitated me so perfectly I started to think that perhaps when I’m davening… Read more »
I am very impressed, people make mistakes, the only quiestion is if they can make up for them
Would someone kindly translate the apology into English? Thanks.
kol hakovod!