Customer Reviews

Can The Rebbe Be Moshiach?: Proofs from Gemara, Midrash, and Rambam that the Rebbe zt"l cannot be Moshiach

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Gil Student has written a masterful book concerning the topic of Messianism and the Rebbe from Crown Heights. This book is a good asset to people in Jewish communities with pro-Messianic Habad congregations. Mr. Student speaks with utmost respect toward the Rebbe (who was a truly outstanding scholar) while criticizing those who believe that the Rebbe is the Messiah. The author clearly proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lubavitcher Rebbe CANNOT be the Moshiach (messiah) . It is my hope that his point will get across to those who must hear it: namely, those who actually believe that the Rebbe is still the Moshiach. This belief that the Messiah will rise from the dead is inherently Not Jewish and Gil Student proves very effectively how this belief is not based on Jewish sources.
This is a wonderful companion volume to Professor Berger's book on Habad and messianism. Kudos to Gil Student for writing a most needed book for the Jewish masses.

This book is important because it presents the controversial Lubavitcher views in an objective, meticulous and scholarly manner and clearly demonstrates that their views have no source in Jewish oral or written tradition. No non Lubavitch rabbi supports their positions. In fact, most great Rabbis view the more extreme Lubavitch as totally heretical and "beyond the pale" of normative Judaism, because their beliefs run counter to the thirteen priciples of faith. All the authors sources and assertions are carefully footnoted. The book is well written and fascinating to read.

Excellently written. Intelligent, insightful, learned and eloquent. This book is very convincing to all but those who have already made up their mind. A must read on the subject.

In this book, Gil Student presents a scholarly and thorough compilation of sources proving that M. Schneerson could not possibly be the long awaited messiah. The tone of the book is impartial and unbiased, while expressing care for the reader's objectivity and longing for the messianic era. I strongly recommend this work to anyone interested in this topic. It is masterful! The one issue that I have with the book is that every false messianic movement begins with and is sustained by an enabler / encourager. The author did not identify nor deal with the grave onus of the enabler / encourager of this false messianic movement. So doing would have helped open people's eyes to the core falsehood of the movement. Otherwise, the author should be applauded for a fantastic book.

i personally grew up in a non chabad household and learned in a chabad day school growing up.doing my own research of the subject i came to see that if you talk to someone in chabad regarding the moshiach issue these sources are known and do not refute the idea of the rebbe being moshiach. and there are many sources that point to the fact that the rebbe can and still is our awaited moshiach.this book (if already read)should be taken in its proper light, someones confused questions regarding a subject, who never asked(or cared to ask)the professer in that exact field for the answers. its like learning a gmara and refuting shulchan aruch from it.ask .seek. discover.what chabad ,and the rebe says about the subject,this book is a one sided look at moshiach!

"We would hope that there are people who constantly reevaluate their positions in an intellectually and honest way. But... courageous people like that are few and far between" (introduction of this book).

I personally find this tone arrogant and condescending, and unfortunately, it is pervasive throughout the book. While I do not fault the author for presenting in these terms (well, actually I do, I think less Sinat Chinam will do more to bring Moshiach rather than "clarification of issues".), I wonder, had he presented his arguments with a modicum of humility, would they have been more palatable to the people the author claims he is trying to reach? (I think yes, at least for me.) As for the arguments the book presents, I wonder if the author is aware of the whole concept of "shivim ponim laTorah"? The basic premise is that there are multiple interpretations of even the simple passages in the Bible, and to claim that one way of looking at things is the end all be all is as close-minded as the people the author looks down on. Had the author presented both sides of the argument (fully) without any biases (or omissions) and then let the reader come to his or her own conclusion, I would have more respect for him and his writing.

However, having read this book I have come to the conclusion that this is just another of the many attacks on the Lubavitch movement in a newly disturbing guise. Would I recommend reading it? Yes, just so that the reader might become aware of these arguments and find his or her own answers (or agreement) to them, but I would caution the reader not to accept everything the author says at face value. Use it to springboard your own research into the issue, and come up with your own conclusions.

I'd like to clarify something here. The title of this book (as well as Dr. Bergers book) should have read 'Sources and proofs that can help legitimize your dislike of Chabad' While some sources quoted were complete, others were not in context or quoted only in part and were brought down with one intention in mind: to discredit the idea of the Rebbe as being Moshiach. One searching for the Truth on this will have to come to the conclusion that either they cannot know if he is Moshiach, or they will see that he must be Moshiach. IN THIS BOOK, THE CONCLUSION IS DECIDED AND THE REST IS MERELY COMMENTARY.

In short, such a book could have been written in 1991 or 92 stemming from the same feelings towards Chabad, only now there are many more sources to bring up and many more 'strange' ideas that have been publicized about Lubavitch to ridicule. It is a basic misunderstanding of Yiddishkiet that would fuel such dislike for Chabad in general and the concept of the Rebbe as being a Novie (prophet) and Nasi (leader of the Jews) etc. in particualr. From day one of the Rebbe's accepting of leadership there have been those against him. So have there been those against Moshe Rabeinu, and it is clear what bothered Korach V'adoso. One must study Chassidus and Torah with a pure intention with a genuine thirst for G-dliness, and only then will one find an answer. Sinas Chinom, however good and lofty it may feel, will only help destroy lives and keep us in Golus Ch'V VCh'V.

(If one wants to learn about Chabad, get a book about Chabad from your local Chabad house. Start studying the basics, like Tanya. If one simply wants a surface glimpse of it, then I would recommend Sue Fishkoffs book. While she doesnt profess to be a Rabbi, she gives over a genuine review of her experiences and understanding. She does not give unilateral declarations on beliefs that others have, even if she feels otherwise.)

The Rebbe said as a prophesy that this is the generation of Moshiach and that Moshiach is ready to come right now!
Practically speaking, we must add in acts of goodness and kindness to hasten the coming of Moshiach immediately! One more Mitzva and one more act of true Ahavas Yisroel can surely bring about the complete and final Geula with Moshiach, Now!

Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabeinu Melech Hamoshiach L'Olam Voed!

instead of arguing who and cannot be
be nice to each other, and work together so that he comes, and none will care who he is!

written poorly, and with a vengence rather then with fact and/or authority