צר לי עליך אחי מש"י ....

 

So if we're to believe the Israeli frum websites and the Whats app chatter, the rumors were true. Son # 5, Yitzchok Yehoshua Heschel Friedman is the new Sadigerrer Rebbe of Bnei Brak. This at 23-24 years old and two years after his marriage to Ms. Sternbuch of Antwerp. Most of us did NOT see that coming. Those that folowed Sadiger at a distance were made to believe that when the time came it was to be his Rebbistive for the taking. The reyd on the street was that the Bostoner Rebbe from Boston hit the jackpot when he made the shidduch with Sadiger and that his son-in-law would naturally be the Rebbe of Sadiger when the time came. When we heard the rumors we could not believe that a father would do that to his son and basically embarrass him like that. But it was his choice to make by virtue of him being in charge for these seven and a half years.

But one of two things happened here: Either the ones that are "in charge" of the chassidus (huh?) told the Sadigerrer Rebbe that he cannot name his oldest son - Mordechai Sholom Yosef = מש"י  - as successor because then all that they've worked for all these years all these years will collapse. As one Sadigerrer I spoke to said: He made it into a brand name - מותג - and it would be in danger of crashing down. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know why his being Rebbe would do that. Or, maybe he takkeh isn't worthy of the position. The skeptic in me says it's likely reason number one. 

There seems to be plenty of resentment among the younger generation in Israel against the royal family - as crazy as that seems. This, from seeing the chatter on the interwebs. I mean, if you like the Rebbe and you're devoted to Sadiger don't resent his family because they're rich. They didn't take it from you, the money didn't come from high yeshiva tuition or forced מעמד געלט. They married rich and that's that. If you don't like it you can go to Boyan or Bohush. Chances are you'll be unhappy there too. 

Young Shia seems to be the only one who bucked the Sadiger trend and decided on his own to carve out his own little path. Even his younger brother pretty much toes the line. We usually like black sheep here at the Circus Tent, but maybe if he'd have become a Litvak or a Breslover. Stam to let your peyos hang out and try to look more generically Chassidish because you're always looking over your shoulder at the Rebbishe types with the white socks? Meh. But it seems like that's what the Sadigerrers want as well, judging from the chatter and the happenings today in Gutmacher Street. 

We like to look back at recent examples of such explicit tzava'ahs from Chassidishe Rebbes to NOT have their oldest sons replace them. Toldos Aron, for one, although there they were told to vote on it and take one of his children or איידעם. Maybe Reb Avrohom Yitzchok Cohen knew how that would turn out, so he decided not to hurt his son by NOT naming him. If the people vote on it then they shall have their way. Besides, Toldos Aron was also created by means of a vote after Reb Are'le Rot's passing, if I'm not mistaken. Even if it wasn't with an official ballot box they did vote with their feet there in 1946.  

Interestingly enough, it was a Lubavitcher with Rizhiner connections that reminded me of the fact that it was the Tzemach Tzedek that said that he wanted his YOUNGEST son, the Rebbe MaHaRaSH to take his place in Lubavitch. He was disappointed to think that the Rebbe of Sadiger's will may not become law there. Yes, Lubavitch wasn't to where most Chassidiei Chabad traveled after the Tzemach Tzedek;s histalkus in 5626, but in the end we see why it was davka the MahaRash that needed to take over. 

Back to MeSH"Y:

צר לי עליך is what came to mind when it seemingly was made public that it was Shia's for the taking and not מש"י. I was hurting for him when I heard this and decided to put keyboard to web page. Here he was told all his life and was made to understand by history that it was his position to lose - and then this ambush. Personally, if I was the one advising Shia I'd tell him to play hard to to get, to say that he was not doing this to his family - that he's not worthy. He'd get back on the plane to Antwerp and sit back in Kollel. Just like in Ger in 1948. This would work wonders and would make him even more appealing to the Sadigerrers. The rest of the Rebbishe branzshe would watch and be amazed by this strange phenomenon.

One chassidic observer said it best when he told me that people complain about Rebbes who don't leave clear tzava'ahs, but look at what happens when they DO!