How and why did a messianic movement develop around the Lubavitcher Rebbe? Could he have been Mashiach? What are the hidden beliefs of Lubavitchers about the Rebbe, and some of the lesser-known secret practices of the community? Plus: the true mystical and messianic meaning behind the Rebbe’s tefillin campaign, and an exploration of tefillin conspiracy theories and “Chabad tunnels”.
Tag Archives: End of Days
Understanding Chabad
How did Chabad become the world’s most successful Jewish organization? Where did it come from, and what is its philosophy? What are the true origins of Hasidic Judaism and why was it opposed by the rabbinic establishment in the 18th century? Who was the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and why did a messianic movement develop around him? And what’s the deal with Chabad conspiracy theories on the internet? Find out in this eye-opening class that takes a deep dive into the world of Chabad-Lubavitch.
Seven Names or Seven Messiahs?
In this week’s parasha, Tzav, we find the interesting term hakohen hamashiach, the “anointed priest”, referring to the kohen gadol, “high priest”. This term appears a total of four times in the Torah; three times in last week’s parasha, and once at the beginning of this week’s parasha. These happen to be the only four instances of the term mashiach anywhere in the Chumash. Superficially, they do not refer to the Messiah, but rather to the high priest. The Chumash itself never explicitly speaks of hamelekh hamashiach, the anointed messianic king of Israel at the End of Days. However, it does allude to a messianic figure here in the parasha, because one of those future figures whose arrival we expect is the Kohen Tzedek, the “righteous priest” who will serve as the first kohen gadol in the rebuilt Jerusalem Temple.
At the start of the Second Temple era, the hope was that Zerubbabel would be Mashiach. Continue reading