In an open letter Rabbi Pesach Schmerling, a Shliach in Far Rockaway, writes how despite declarations that the Lag B’omer Parade was to be held with unity, he along with a group of others felt the contrary.
I read with interest the letter by the Lag B’omer Parade Committee, in which they state that the parade will be held in the spirit of unity, and that they should be allowed to conduct the parade in the manner they see fit, as only this would ensure that all of the Rebbe’s Chassidim will spend Lag B’omer in the spirit of achdus.
I, as one of the Rebbe’s Chassidim, together with a group of about fifty men, women and children affiliated with our Chabad House, did not feel that spirit of unity at all. Unfortunately, the view of some was imposed on others (through means of terror and blackmailing as became known now).
It isn’t a secret anymore that there are two groups in Lubavitch (in general, each of these is subdivided into various sub groups), those who say “yechi” and those who don’t.
To claim that for the sake of unity and achdus the view of some should be imposed on everyone is an insult to our intelligence. Everyone knows that “bimkom sofek shev v’al taasse odif”, when in doubt keep the status quo. Everyone who feels the need to say Yechi after the 12 Pesukim could have done that in their seats. To impose that on all by announcing it (three times!) on the microphone is an act of arrogance, the very opposite of Achdus, and not befitting the day of Lag B’omer at all. It is an example of “lo nohagu kavod zeh bazeh”!
That this Chilul Hashem was done by official Mosdos (Merkos, NCFJE, Tzivos Hashem) only adds insult to injury. I wonder how they will write their Du”ch to the Rebbe after such a disgrace to the name of Lubavitch.
May we be zoche to have true Achdus in Lubavitch, and then we will truly be zoche to “borchenu ovinu” and to the Geulah NOW!
Rabbi Pesach Schmerling
Chabad of Far Rockaway