Implicit Approval Through Membership

By the Grace of G‑d
15th of Tammuz, 5719 [July 21, 1959]
Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

In reply to your inquiry as to whether or not there has been any change in my stand toward the affiliation of orthodox Rabbis or synagogues with the New York Board of Rabbis or Synagogue Council -

I wish to assure you that there has not been, nor could there be, any change in my stand on this vital and far-reaching question.

My considered opinion, as I have reiterated it on several occasions privately and publicly, is based on the undisputable Halachic decision formulated by Rambam (Hilechot Teshuvah 3:8), according to which the doctrines and ideology of the Conservative and Reform movements can only be classed in the category of heretical movements which have plagued our people at one time or another, only to disappear again, having no basis in our everlasting Torah, Toras Emes, Toras Chaim.

Click to enlarge

I have clearly stated my view that membership in the New York Board of Rabbis, or Synagogue Council of America, or similar religious bodies, strikes deeply at the roots of true Judaism. Such membership cannot escape the logical inference that the Conservative and Reform movements are recognized by the orthodox members of the said bodies as belonging within the fold of true Judaism, differing only in degree or in minor details; whereas in truth these movements deny the very basis of true Judaism. Protestations to the contrary can only be regarded as empty words, refuted by actions.

May G‑d enlighten the eyes of those that still waver on this vital question, to remedy the situation without delay. I hope and pray that everyone, both Rabbi and layman, will use his utmost influence in that direction.

With blessing,
M. M. Schneerson

« Previous

The Secret of Jewish Survival

Can There Be Modern Orthodoxy?

Correspondence by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, The Lubavitcher Rebbe

Letter of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.

Join the Discussion

Sort By:

NewestOldest

6 Comments

Joe Ny June 18, 2020

Based on my understanding of this article it sounds like this was in response to someone asking if the reform movement is considered a part of the Jewish teachings
Which the responded was that the movement is not aligned with the teachings of Judaism.
In response to anonymous
This article was to answer that specific question
To Chaim rafayel
By no means was this article putting down any Jew rather it was just speaking about the movement.
Also every Jew obviously is precious to g-d even without doing ANY commandments,
And who are you to start measuring g-d's commandments and saying which ones are more important. Reply

Chaim Raphael November 5, 2020

in response to Joe:

I posted as Anonymous so my other point would seem stronger. First of all, the article was pointing down Reform Jews and other Jews, point blank. Not respecting and valuing someone's beliefs is by definition going against the very heart of the person, what they hold to be true, and the person themselves along with their neshama. You can go around disagreeing with a person's beliefs constructively, but to actively and publicly say we do not accept those beliefs while shaming a Jewish person's very essence of practice and existence is putting down non orthodox Jews, point blank.

Secondly, I am not the one measuring the commandments of G-d, you and many other people are that think their way of observing Judaism is the only authentic way to observe it. Tolerance is a virtue that I think people who cannot accept a different way of observance should work on. You're going around telling people what commandments you think they should do. Is it not you too deciding Mitzvot being big or small? Reply

Chaim Rafayel Park Heights, Baltimore March 5, 2019

Reform Jews can be good people I think you're missing a fundamental point. Every Jew can still be a good person even without keeping every commandment. You should focus more on the good of a Jew, not the negative things about them. And if you are going to criticize their beliefs, at least give examples. Reform Jews and conservative Jews can be good people too. In fact, the number one emphasized Mitzvah in Torah besides loving God and loving our neighbor as ourself is to do things that are Tikkun Olam, such as giving to the poor and clothing the poor and pleading for the orphan and the widow. I really pray that you can see that secular Jews are good Jews too, even if they dont follow every commandment. I pray more that you will teach Jews your wisdom as opposed to simply criticizing Jews who love God very much, the first if the ten commandments. Shalom. Reply

Anonymous Israel March 5, 2019

True Judaism is more than a set of books. It is a way of life. Although it is crucial to follow Halacha such as keeping Shabbos, Judaism doesnt only rely on opinions. It relies on Hashem and The Torah as a whole. If one loves G-d and performs many Mitzvot and is righteous they are a good Jew, regardless of their level of observance. The rebbe emphasized to focus on the good deeds of a Jew, even Jews that are not that observant. If I may, rabbi, I appreciate your opinion but think teaching Jews Torah in this article would be better, perhaps from the parsha of the week, for instance. I also think it would be better to focus on good commandments they do follow, instead of just focusing on the negative aspects of their commitment to G-d. Shalom. Reply

Rabbi Shmary Brownstein Chabad.org April 12, 2013

Re: Heretical movements? Labels are for clothes, not people. A Jew who does a mitzvah, studies Torah, or loves G-d, is a wonderful Jew, not a reform or orthodox Jew. But while being Jewish is not contingent on the beliefs one professes, JudaISM has a specific definition. What can be considered a Jewish idea and what cannot, is defined by Halachah and by Jewish belief historically. While there may have been times when certain beliefs were less defined, we stand now at a point in time when there are thousands of years of tradition that have defined Jewish notions in a specific direction. There were many sects during the Second Temple period, but it does not follow that they were all valid expressions of the Torah tradition. While one may hold a personal opinion about what the definition of Judaism is, the Rebbe here addresses what Judaism has been historically, not what it might have been. Had G-d meant it to be Sadducean, then they would have won out as the definers of Judaism. Reply

Zachary Lee Jakobs Pleasant Prairie April 9, 2013

Heretical movements? I am confused by your choice of words, Mr. Schneerson.
Had the Temple of Herod not been destroyed, would the scholars who had written the Talmud not been called heretics? Is it untrue that during the Roman occupation of Judea the Sagisees, the Zealots, the Pharisees, and the Essenes proclaimed each other to be heretical?
Judaism is not a faith built around Dogma, it is a faith dedicated to study, inquiry, joy, work, kindness, and most of all a love of G-d. I myself am a member of the Reform movement, though I choose to follow G-d's commandments more faithfully than my fellow members of the movement. I study Talmud, to gain a personal understanding of Torah, and I study Torah and Haftoroh to find both spiritual and historical meaning.
I do not believe that to be a Jew one must devote their lives to such study, and that perhaps not all commandments must be so vehemently followed. I believe love of G-d, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim are most important.
I am reform by principle not by faith. Reply

More in this section

You may also be interested in...

Join the Discussion