בע"כ יענו אמן

(I'm using a שם המושאל in the title)

It was a tough week for those that oppose Chabad and its activities, as was noted here in another thread. (I won't use the word "snag" or "haters.") Seeing Chabad get such praise from all ends of the spectrum is difficult for some people to stomach. Of course not everybody got in on the lovefest, not all media, and we understand some that didn't. Not that it matters either way. Nist in dem bashteit shlichus, on an article in a Jewish paper, but it sure helps. Quite surprising were the two articles published here, of Mozes and Fishoff, with each one surprising for a different reason. With Fishoff it's like this: It's tough to gauge an Agudist's views towards Lubavitch. Some don't care, Some are cold, some are lukewarm and some foam at the mouth at the mere mention of the "L-word." The Agudah of old in America had all kinds. R' Yechiel BZ is a throwback, or a relic if you will. A staunch Gerrer Chossid. The younger ones are MOSTLY products of American Yeshivos, where Lubavitch was not held in the highest regard - for all kinds of reasons. Hence, here in America we look at the Agudah as a group not particularly friendly towards Lubavitch, and we're surprised when we see joint efforts by the two groups or praise from one to the other. You might compare Fishoff to Reb Chatzkel Besser, z"l, but you shouldn't, because Rabbi Besser had no Rebbe that he could his own after WW2 and the demise of Radomsk, wheras Fishoff had the Gerrer Rebbes throughout and seemingly didn't consult with the Rebbe that much. Rabbi Besser did, as we all know, so comparing the two just because they were two Poylishe Yidden in the American Agudah upper echelons is not entirely just. So we're still a bit surprised to see Reb Yechiel write such warm words in the press about Lubavitch.

With MK Mozes it's like this. Israel and the Agudah there is a whole different ballgame. They were not necessarily influenced by Lakewood and Baltimore - and they knew der emes. Many of the Chassidishe Chavrei Knesset - Lorencz not withstanding - had very close relationships with the Rebbe, as has been documented time and time again. Despite their differences on many subjects they knew, they knew. The complete story has yet to be told, not just with the Agudah but with the Edah HaCharedis as well, and the disappointment amongst the zealots will be very great then. What jumps out at you is despite being a Hoyzboocher by the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz that he knew where to turn to in a time of crisis... Remember I don't work for Lubavitch, Inc. so I don't know who was invited and who went on their own accord and who went because newspapers sent them, but it was very nice to see such a cross-section of VIPs, press and politicians there to witness the great event. Not that I was there - I just see what all of you see, a barrage of pictures and articles that makes even a Lubavitcher like me say "ok, enough already, let's move on to another topic"