To yankel berel
Your point in the June 23rd post is worth commenting on ie that Chabad expansion is gradual. Basically, the two sides are in trench warfare and neither can move the either. What results is name-calling but nothing substantive. Perhaps I can change the equation. When Rabbi Butman had his radio program he would often say that when Moshiach comes there won’t be any more Shnayim Ochzin Bitallis. Then he’d explain, “Yes there will be Shnayim Ochzin Bitallis” but only the Kabbalistic understanding. When I said this over to a Rav he rejected it arguing that every aspect of Torah is eternal..Next let’s consider the following. About two years ago I was arguing with a Lubavicher on VIN. I told him that it’s ridiculous to believe the Rebbe is Moshiach because he didn’t meet Rambam’s criteria. He responded, “Rambam is a Posek on planet earth but Chabad exists in the world of Yechida and we don’t follow Rambam in our world.” Next we come to Manic Friedman who said that G-d needs us more than we need Him.” So this is at odds with Rambam’s e 3rd fundamental of faith. But now it makes sense. They don’t think that his rules apply any more. Finally we consider statements made by Menachem Shmei and others on YWN. They’d say outlandish things and then tell us to study their sources. What emerges is that we have 2 different belief systems and neither side will budge. I hope that this will lead to open discussion rather than worthless epithets.