Question
What is the correct attitude toward those who believe the Lubavitcher Rebbe is the Messiah? Isn’t this the same as the Christian belief? How should Jews who believe this be treated and what should be done with their works?
Answer
The Lubavitcher Rebbe ZTVK"L was a great scholar of Torah and Hassidut, and a great leader. It is understandable that some idolize him. It is possible that had he come to Eretz Yisrael and led the whole state politically and spiritually, he may have been able to become the Mashiach. Sadly, he passed away and we did not merit it and it did not happen. Those who believe that he did not die turn him into some sort of a God, so to speak, and that may be, G-d forbid, a form of Idoltry.
These believers must be corrected, for it is impossible that The Rebbe ZTVK"L was greater than Moshe Rabbeinu and all our nation's other great leaders and scholars in history. Even when it was said about Yaakov Avinu that he didn't die, it doesn't literally mean that, for how could they have embalmed and eulogized him? (as it is mentioned in Taanit 5)
It is best not to read their works.
This question was answered by
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel
