Don't Be Quick to Judge

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Tuesday, Sivan 12 5773 - 21 May 2013

Aug 7, 2012

Don't Be Quick to Judge

From the COLlive inbox: Why do some in Chabad have a tendency to be quick to call out and put down other sectors?

By anonymous

There is a tendency within Chabad to be quick to call out and put down another sector of the orthodox community when something is being done within Chabad that one may not approve of. For example, a report on someone taking a hard stance on Tznius usually results in comments such as "who do you think we are, Satmar?"

An article that may contain photos of individuals who are not dressed to Chabad standards usually result in a barrage of comments about how 'they think they're modern orthodox' - with additional colorful language and comments added for good measure.

If you take a step back and think about this more, these comments are distasteful, hurtful, and plain out arrogant to to these other streams of Orthodoxy. There certainly seems to be a total lack of understanding by these commentators, on what Modern Orthodoxy is about.

Many young people in Chabad think that they can dress provocatively and without any class, and align themselves with Modern Orthodoxy whilst at the same time being Chabad. What they don't understand is that the way many modern orthodox people dress is correct according to their interpretation of Halacha, and their Hashkafa.

Additionally, these Modern Orthodox folks still learn Torah, have Midos, Ahavas Yisrael and a flair for Yiddishkeit. Many of our fellow 'modern Chabad' are missing many of those components.

Of course there are issues within Modern Orthodoxy, just like there are in Chabad, and for that matter, every stream of Judaism.

But, it's about time to start reflecting on our issues, looking in, instead of always looking out and pointing fingers, and casually name bashing other legitimate streams of Orthodoxy, all trying to get to the same place - to serve Hashem.

Sitting a few days away from Rosh Chodesh Elul, it's time to reflect and realize that no, we are not G-D's gift to mankind - there are other forms of Orthodoxy that we don't have to constantly put down.

We have some major issues within Chabad, and it's about time we took stock of them and made the changes we need, in order to inspire the next generation.

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Opinions and Comments

FINALLY!!

thank you for speaking up about this!!!

(8/7/2012 6:17:36 PM)

Al Chait Shechotonu Lifoecha Biflilus

Judging others is a sin, that's why there's an Al Cheit for it. As far as why one judges another, generally it comes from a lack of self esteem and as an escape mechanism we try to put others down so we aren't alone at our self perceived low level. Each of us as individuals and as part of a group need to introspect and examine our own selves truthfully. We we fix our own daled amos and take ourselves out of our personal golus, we will be zocheh to the complete and permanent redemption of klal yisroel.

(8/7/2012 6:49:01 PM)

talk about being judgmental...

"Additionally, these Modern Orthodox folks still learn Torah, have Midos, Ahavas Yisrael and a flair for Yiddishkeit. Many of our fellow 'modern Chabad' are missing many of those components."

your article is disgusting. purely embarrassing. at least you were smart enough not to sign your name.

(8/7/2012 6:58:49 PM)

Why is there something wrong with Chabad? mabye the people who consider themselves chabad but don't follow horoas directives a chassid should follow, but not to ch'v say there are problems with chabad just like every part of yiddishkeit. torah is emes, problem is the people that keep / try to keep it. i agree never to put anyone down either for fun or to make urself feel better but be careful with what you say so casually - that there are problems with all "stream" of yiddishkeit.

(8/7/2012 7:03:58 PM)

hello!!!!!

MOOm shebecho!!! al toimar lechavrecho

are you a lubavitcher???

(8/7/2012 7:17:55 PM)

Shay

So why do you say many of our " modern Chabad" are missing these components?" isn't that a generalized judgement.

(8/7/2012 7:46:15 PM)

a little hypocricy

The theme of this article is not to judge and put down others (as satmar , modern orthodox ) and at the same time judges different standards of lubavitchers (the author calls 'modern chabad '). Perhaps we need to stop judging and name calling period. (some examples: chabad lite, chnyok, nifrad, kofer, dor shishi, dor shmini, modern, kal, etc) And that does not exclude encouraging ppl to do what we consider valuable.

(8/7/2012 8:14:40 PM)

By Anonymous...

Stopped reading there.

(8/7/2012 8:15:35 PM)

A question...

Someone from a litvish background (shaved) becomes a chossid (grows a beard) then they decide to relax and take up shaving again... Did they become litvish again?

I think not... When they were litvish, before becoming a chossid, they were still a frum yid, when they decided being a chossid wasn't for them, it began a downward spiral to eventually dropping everything.

True story bro.

(8/7/2012 8:18:35 PM)

to #8

but you got down to the bottom to comment :)

(8/7/2012 9:01:32 PM)

Agree with #3

You might be right, but you are the wrong one to say it!!
(Sorry it's not my style to comment, specialy not negatively, but you pushing it to much!)

(8/7/2012 9:15:29 PM)

lol

Yes, you are hypocritical lol
It's kindof funny

In this world...in every sect of Jews etc have different types of people. In modern orthodox there are people who judge others, there are those who dress trashy... and all the not good stuff.

In chabad there are those people
In Montana there are those people
In L.A. there are those people
In Missouri there are those people

They exist everywhere as do the better people...

In chabad there are those good people
In Montana there are those good people
In L.A. there are those good people
In Missouri there are those good people

This world is made up of all different types of people

(8/7/2012 9:29:47 PM)

you are right

WE[OURSELVES are not G-d's gift to mankind,but CHASSIDUS CHABAD IS truly G-d's gift to mankind,we need to make sure that we dont mess up and uphold this gift that we were zoiche to get and to make sure that we,in our hanhogo,can transmit it to all.so that Moshiaach will come .

(8/7/2012 10:09:56 PM)

the rebbe said

that modern and orthodox are an oxymoron

(8/7/2012 10:12:47 PM)

from 770

Torah did not became modern orthodox too as fare as we all know, did not change from Har Sinai till our days. So lets all remain chassidim of the Rebbe, not good too many of our young people fray out and you call modern orthodox but lets no judge either, right????????? where are we going people?????????

(8/8/2012 12:50:13 AM)

apply this to more than the tznius issue!

Yoiu only talk about Tznius here how about other issues including Yechi Hatred of Rabbonim & The Israeli Bachurim etc? or doesn't that count here! how about The " Shpitz Chabader's hatred of B/t's & those that don't have much money? To quote RAv Mendel Futerfas who saw some people standing on the side by a farbrengen he told them don't be a Journalist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(8/8/2012 9:51:52 AM)

Lubavitcher

I think you made some very good points. It is very wrong that we shoot out negative comments about other orthodox groups. BUT your attitude reminds me of liberals who always feel the need to apologize for their existence . "it's time to reflect and realize that no, we are not G-D's gift to mankind" Is that the message of Rosh chodesh Elul? I think I am G-d's gift to man and for that reason we - who do hold our selves on a higher standard - must be careful not to put others down.

(8/8/2012 12:53:57 PM)

Thank you!

The BEST post I've read on ANY Jewish website all Year. Yasher Koach!!!! Emmes!

(8/8/2012 4:30:52 PM)

#3----

I fail to understand what you find disgusting about the article. You may not agree, but could be mensch enough to present your point of view in a more mature or kind way? Why is someone else's viewpoint "disgusting"? I find YOUR comment to be very mean-spirited an lacking in basic respect. All the author is trying to say is Jews might approach their Jewishness in the way they choose, but we are all Jews! What good does it do to spew anger at a different point of view? I doubt that the Rebbe engaged in such arrogance.

(8/9/2012 2:29:18 AM)

Don't get why so many readers object...

I thought this article was right on. Growth and maturity are not possible when people are always justifying their behavior rather than looking within at their own shortcomings and weaknesses. If someone is behaving in a way that is against the rules and guidelines of Torah, that person should do some self introspection instead of blaming it on the community, the various machlokes, their teachers, the schools, their next door neighbor. Torah is Torah and the deepest and healthiest thing a person can do is claim Yiddishkeit and the Torah for themselves and evaluate their own behavior. What I got from the writer's article is that we belittle the stringencies of Chabad hashkofes by calling them "Satmar" and we justify relaxing our standards -- no shoes, socks, etc. -- by calling them Modern Orthodox (i.e., frum Jews do it so why can't I?)

(8/9/2012 12:31:27 PM)

Stop the Ad hominem tactics

Ad Hominem is a Latin term, literally meaning, "to a man."
This simply means that a debater calls the other debater names (e.g. "naive, ignorant, fanatic, Misnagid, Meshichist, etc.) rather than sticking to the facts. This is a very immature way to carry on a debate, and such a debater does not look good. Now, it may very well be that the epithet may be true, but back it up with facts.

(8/9/2012 9:35:42 PM)

duvid grunfeld

"Additionally, these Modern Orthodox folks still learn Torah, have Midos, Ahavas Yisrael and a flair for Yiddishkeit."

Can you be any more condescending and make any more rampant sweeping statements? Revolting. Why bother writing this article if all you want to do is bag "Modern Orthodox" don't do it under the pretense of bagging Chabad.

Better still, don;t bag anyone.

(8/9/2012 11:17:16 PM)

'Tzaddikim yelchu bom, reshoim yikoshlu bom"

We learn so much about Bittul in Chassidus but yet have a superior attitude to all others. I have always said all Jews should learn both Chassidus and Mussar as together they make a powerful medicine.

Harav Avigdor Miller Z"L draws the line between those who are shomer Torah and Mitzvos and those who dont, very simple. Even those who daven with shorts and sandals in Israel are still in shul to connect to HKB"H !!! They love Hashem and want to connect with Him, which is what our lives as yidden who practice and follow Hashems laws are all about. Rav Miller never put down any frum Jews, he spoke lovingly of the holy communities of Boro park, Crown heights and Williamsburg in the same breath !! Listen to his shiurim !! They are gold !

If we use our hidurim to look down at our fellow yidden, then to me it is simply said in the posuk: 'Tzaddikim yelchu bom, reshoim yikoshlu bom" If you use the Torah and your chumros to look down on others then you must ask where is my Ahavas Yisroel ? Am I really following Hashems ways?

We are all real hypocrites to look down at others but willingly take their money for our Chabad Houses.

#3 you need to look at yourself in the mirror, why are you afraid to hear a little mussar that you have to insult the writer? Perhaps s/he is doing us a favor allowing us to fix our attitudes.

Maybe you lash out because as the Rebbe famously said, 'If the hat fits ...??!!! ve'Hameivin Yavin...

Eliyahu from Canada

(8/10/2012 12:07:38 PM)

Luibavitcher mekareved by Rav Miller

I'm a Lubavitcher, but my decision to embrace the Frum way of life was primarily through Rav Avigdor Miller, ZT"L. I am sure I'm not the only one. I never had a personal encounter with him, except for one public shiur. Simply by reading his famous publications was enough for me to see the truth.

(8/10/2012 2:49:06 PM)

Rav Miller Z"L etc

In case anyone thinks Rav MIller z"l is not for Chabad, or wants to learn more about him you can get many tapes at the Levi Yitzchock Library on Kingston or go online to Kol Halashon. com He has no doubt many ba'allei Tshuvah to his credit and is regarded with awe by many including Syrian Jews, sefardim, and many Chassidim including Satmar and Belz etc.

Another main point he brings is that HKB"H dislikes those who dislike frum Jews, even if you are frum yourself !!

Lets start by having kavanah when we say "Hareini makabel Alay mitzvas Asei shel VeaHavta lereacha Kamocha"

(8/10/2012 5:07:05 PM)