I think there is a balance in Judaism and it's OK to have people on either side of that balance. I come from a very, very "Misnagid" family. So I always treasured my glimpses into the Chasidic way of life. There is, most likely, a happy medium there somewhere.
So, all in all, I like Chabad. I like what they do. So "good for them" -- they have their own Israeli stamp now! Read all about it here.
As for the image, if they had asked me (though why they would I sure don't know), I would have said to put people on it, not 770 Eastern Parkway, which is, after all, just a building. ("What? Just a building? Is the White House just a house?") But I do like it overall. Yasher Ko'ach.
8 comments:
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Chabad, too.
Mirty, nice post. I actually like the stamp. Putting a person on it would have meant only one choice, The Rebbe. I don't think that people would appreciate that, celebrating Chabad, which is what this stamp is doing should be more than just The Rebbe. 770 evokes that emotion. It represents Chabad. The homely, warm, inviting feeling. It's like all those shluchim, sent out into the world, who invite so many people into their home every day and every week. It's a symbol of all the people who come together in that building every shabbos from literally, all over the religious spectrum.
The boos flow freely, and often so do the drugs. Yep, I can handle Chabad.
From what I heard - they didn’t put a picture of the Lubavitcher Rebbe because many felt it would be a sign of disrespect when one licks the stamp.
Some history:
Years ago, the Israeli Postal Authority wanted to out out a stamp with the image of the first Chabad Rebbe - Rabbi Shchneur Zalman of Liadi.
The Rebbe was opposed to the plan = because it would be a disrespectful use of the Tzadik's image when it gets "cancelled" going through the postal system.
Indeed, again in 1994 or 1995 after the Rebbe pased they designed a stamp with the Rebbe's image. I think sample images were even posted on the internet. However Chabad managed to convince them not to issue the stamp based on the Rebbe's earlier expressed view.
I bought a bottle of wine with a picture of 770 on it. That to me seems very appropriate.
Psychotoddler - this ones for you courtesy of http://www.crownheights.info/
Bochur Arrested For Drunk & Disorderly Conduct in Public
05 March 2006
At around 2:00am [Sunday Morning] an Israeli Bochur was on his way from 770 to the dormitory at 1414 President when a patrolling police officer noticed the Boucher on Kingston and Union not walking straight (all over the place) and approached him, the Boucher immediately turned violent and attempted to fight off the police officer.
A total of 8 police officers arrived on scene immediately and managed to subdue him, while placing him in the police car the Bochur all of a sudden went violent again causing the officers to need to subdue him once more. Arriving at the Precinct the Bochur could no longer stand on his own (being so severely intoxicated).
You guys in New York.... have no idea what Chabad does for us out here in the sticks. I think Rabbi Levertov in Austin must have cloned himself and his wife; otherwise there is no explaining how they can manage it all. A short (and very incomplete) list of what they've done in the past few years:
1. Got the main grocery chain in Texas (HEB) to open a "Kosher Store" with all Kosher food and a deli counter.
2. Opened a center in the north suburbs (far from the Chabad house on campus) which holds daily minyans and shiurs. Also classes for women. (I've been to classes there. The Rebbetzin's depth of knowledge is impressive, to say the least.)
3. The Rabbi and Rebbetzin host any guest, any time, who wants to stay in a Shomer Shabbos, kosher home. I know, because my parents dropped in on them one weekend. (of course, if you want a QUIET shabbos, that's another matter.)
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