Chabad-Lubavitch related controversies

Chabad-Lubavitch is a branch of Hasidism. Its founder Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was twice arrested by the Russians on trumped-up charges, and later opposed Napoleon's emancipation of the Jews; one of his sons is alleged to have converted to Christianity. The conduct of the sixth leader, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn during the Second World War was criticised by some of his contemporaries. Some interpretations of its seventh leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's theology has been disagreed withsee Kuntres ha-emet al tenuat Habad bi-shenot ha-80, Mordecai Moshkowicz (Brooklyn, n.d.). See also Al Hatorah Veal Hatemurah, A. Neuman (London, 1992) by a few of his contemporaries; he felt very strongly that Israeli law should follow Jewish law and ethics, and was criticised heavily by Rabbi Elazar Shach for many of his policies, including his messianic focus. The belief that Schneerson is the messiah and will return or that he never even died has led to some friction within the Chabad community. Since his death in 1994 the movement has fragmented into competing factions. Financial battles have been ongoing between these factions since 1995, and the contested control over the headquarters in Brooklyn has led to strife.
==Shneur Zalman of Liadi==
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the movement, was arrested by Tsar Paul I on two occasions on trumped up charges but released both times.For a detailed account of this see Schochet, Jacob Immanuel, The arrest and Liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, 1964 (4th printing 1999) ISBN 0-8266-0418-8. In the face of Napoleonic invasion, Rabbi Schneur Zalman sided with the Tsar, believing that emancipation and freedom would lead to spiritual malaise. 
During his life, the controversies between the Hasidim and Mitnagdim intensified in many ways. Some issues involved in the disagreements were the rules for ritual slaughter as well as the conduct and phrasing of prayers.See The Hasidic Movement and the Gaon of Vilna by Elijah Judah Schochet. For a full treatment of this subject see The Great Maggid by Jacob Immanuel Schochet, 3rd ed. 1990,ch. X, ISBN 0-8266-0414-5. As a result, the Hasidim were subjected to bans, though in part due to the changes made to Hasidic thought this lessened during the lives of Rabbi Schneur Zalman's son, Rabbi Dovber Schneuri and grandson, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn. Although Shneur Zalman once attempted to see the Vilna Gaon to persuade him to legitimize the Hasidim, the Vilna Gaon refused to speak with him.Nehora: Jewish Online Bookstore's Entry on Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
===Arrests===
In 1798 Rabbi Shneur Zalman was arrested on suspicion of treason on trumped up charges and brought to St. Petersburg where he was held in the Petropavlovski fortress for 53 days.
For a detailed account of this see Schochet, Jacob Immanuel, The arrest and Liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, 1964 (4th printing 1999) ISBN 0-8266-0418-8.
Again in 1800 he was arrested and again transported to St. Petersburg along with his son Moshe who served as an interpreter, as Rabbi Shneur Zalman spoke no Russian or French. He was released after a few weeks but banned from leaving St. Petersburg.See Schochet, Jacob Immanuel, The Arrest and Liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi; On Learning Chassidus, Brooklyn, 1959, p.24 The elevation of Tsar Alexander I a few weeks later led to Rabbi Shneur Zalman's release. 
According to some scholars Rabbi Shneur Zalman's first arrest was not the result of anti-Hasidic Mitnagdim agitators fabricating charges, or officials seeking extortion monies.Kerem Habad, Kfar Habad, 1992, pp. 17-21, 29-31 (Documents from the Prosecutor Generals archive in St. Petersburg. An accusation was made on May 8, 1798 by Hirsh ben David of Vilna, who accused Rabbi Shneur Zalman of trying to assist the French Revolution, by sending money to Napoleon and the Sultan. It appears that there was no such person as Hirsh and the authorities were attempting to stir up internecine fighting among the Jews.
===Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Napoleon===
While some Jewish leaders supported Napoleon or remained quiet about their support, others including Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi openly and vigorously supported the Tsar. While fleeing from Napoleon, Liadi wrote a letter explaining his opposition to Napoleon to a friend, Rabbi Moshe Meizeles:Should Napoleon be victorious...": Politics and Spirituality in Early Modern Jewish Messianism, Hillel Levine, Jerusalem Studies in Jewish Thought 16-17, 2001
Alan Dershowitz argues that Liadi was clear about his intent - suffering was good for the Jews. Suffering would inspire asceticism and bolster the Hasidic cause. Dershowitz goes on to take issue with what he interprets as a view that Judaism requires suffering to survive.The vanishing American Jew: In search of Jewish identity for the next century, Alan Dershowitz, Boston, 1997, vi-vii
Others defend Rabbi Shneur Zalman, arguing that Napoleon had been attempting to arouse a messianic view of himself in Jews, opening the gates of the Ghettos and emancipating their residents as he conquered. He established an ersatz Sanhedrin, recruiting Jews to his ranks, and spreading rumors about his conquest of the Holy Land to make Jews subversive for his own ends.Napoleon and the Jews, Kobler, F., New York, 1976. Thus his opposition was based on a practical fear of Jews turning to the false messianism of Napoleon as he saw it.
Still others argue that Dershowitz's interpretation is correct, but that Rabbi Shneur Zalman's "fears were borne out by the events of the next two centuries. When emancipation did come to European Jewry, it came as a gradual process, and the traditional Judaism had by then developed an array of intellectual and moral responses (most notably, the Chassidic and Mussar movements). Still, the spiritual toll of freedom was high: traditional Jewish life was all but wiped out in France and Germany by the upheavals spearheaded by the French Revolution, and while it persevered in Eastern Europe until the eve of the Holocaust, many fell prey to the winds of anti-religious "enlightenment" blowing from the west. We can only imagine what the toll might have been had Napoleon conquered the continent in the early years of the nineteenth century.""Is Judaism a Theocracy?" by Yanki Tauber
==Moshe Schneersohn==
Scholar David Assaf uncovered evidence that Rabbi Moshe Schneersohn (or Zalmanovitch or Shneuri), the youngest son of the founder of Chabad, the Alter Rebbe, had befriended an artillery officer. The officer then got Schneersohn drunk at a party and convinced him to convert to Christianity. Assaf also uncovered evidence that there had been a campaign by Chabad followers to erase this fact from the history books. Schneersohn had been a Rabbi in the Belorussian town of Ula.New book reveals darker chapters in Hasidic history, Allan Nadler, The Forward, August 25, 2006 
According to Chabad accounts, including the history of the Chabad movement written by the sixth Rebbe, "Rebbe Moshe" was forced to flee and spend the rest of his life in hiding after winning a disputation with the local priest (similar to Nachmanides's forced move after winning the Disputation of Barcelona). Chabad accounts state that he was buried in an unmarked grave in Radomysl, Ukraine.
Documents found by historian Shaul Stampfer document Schneersohn's conversion to Christianity. The original documents are located in the national historical archives in Minsk, the capital of Belarussia. These include a letter in to the local priest in which he states his intent to convert, his baptismal certificate, which was dated July 4, 1820. The documents also show that after his conversion he worked for the Tzar to assist in the conversion of other Jews.
In the letter in which he stated his intention to convert he wrote that the Jews had tried to prevent him from doing so by watching him constantly, beating him and threatening him. He wrote: "I have remained steadfast in my desire to take upon myself the true faith of Jesus Christ, to which the holy books and all the prophets testify." After conversion he changed his name to Leon Yoleivitch. He returned to visit Lubavitchi, where his brother was the Rabbi, but fled, ultimately dying in a mental institution in St. Petersburg.
==Dovber Shneuri==
Although Rabbi Dovber Schneuri succeeded his father as Rebbe of the Chabad movement, a senior disciple of his father, Rabbi Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye, a popular and respected figure, differed with him on a number of issues and led a breakaway movement.
===Strashelye breakaway===
When R' Schneur Zalman died, many of his followers flocked to one of his top students, Rabbi Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye. He had been Shneur Zalman's closest disciple for over thirty years. While many more became followers of the Mittler Rebbe, the Strashelye school of Chassidic thought was the subject of many of the Mittler Rebbe's discourses. R' Aharon HaLevi emphasized the importance of basic emotions in divine service (especially the service of prayer). The Mittler Rebbe did not reject the role of emotion in prayer, but emphasized that if the emotion in prayer is to be genuine, it can only be a result of contemplation and understanding (hisbonenus) of the explanations of Chassidus, which in turn will lead to an attainment of "bittul" (self-nullification before the Divine). In his work entitled "Kuntres Hispa'alus" (Tract on Ecstasy), the Mittler Rebbe argues that only through ridding oneself of what he considered disingenuous emotions could one attain the ultimate level in Chassidic worship (that is, bittul).Ehrlich, Leadership in the HaBaD Movement, pp. 160–192, esp. pp. 167–172.
==Joseph Isaac Schneersohn==
The response of the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn to the Holocaust has been condemned from a number of quarters. Bryan Mark Rigg wrote his PhD thesis on the subject an Cambridge University. He quotes Rabbi Alex Weisfogel, secretary of Rabbi Avraham Kalmanowitz of the Vaad Hatzalah as saying that Kalmanowitz and Aaron Kotler were appalled at Schneersohn's focus on "bringing the messiah" while the war continued.Rescued from the Reich, Bryan Mark Rigg, Cambridge University Press, 2005
 
Rigg argues that while "he employed every means possible to escape Europe, when he arrived in the US, "he did not approach those very same people to help rescue those who had to remain in Europe. However, he did approach those people in the government to rescue his library, which he did get out in 1941. Also he started condemning people who were organizing amazing rescue efforts like rabbis Kotler and Kalmanowitz of the Vaad-Hatzala."
He forbade his followers from leaving Russia in the 1920s and 30s, declaring that those who did were "deserters". Chabad scholar Avrum Erlich writes:
 
However, Chabad sources argue say that recently uncovered documents show that Schneersohn immediately began lobbying for assistance to Jews in the Nazis' path.Two Memorials Mark Nazi Atrocities in Former Soviet Union and The Jewish Press Aug 31 2007 page 10. According to Chabad he petitioned ambassadors and politicians in London and New York for relief packages to be sent to the Jewish communities in the western parts of what is today the former Soviet Union. His letters were co-signed by Rabbi Jacob Rosenheim, the then-president of the Agudath Israel World Organization.
===The Malach===
Another incident which occurred was with Rabbi Chaim Avraham Dov Ber Levine haCohen, also known as The Malach (lit. the angel). He was the tutor of Joseph Isaac Schneersohn when the latter was a child, but personal differences caused Rabbi Levine to break with Chabad. Torah Vodaas, in order to inspire its students, used to encourage its students to visit knowledgeable rabbis and Rabbi Levine was one of them. Eventually, some of the students styled themselves as Rabbi Levine's followers. This quasi-Hasidic group, known as The Malachim, is antagonistic towards Chabad and only acknowledges the legitimacy of the first four Chabad rebbes. The Malachim themselves did not choose a successor to Rabbi Levine. Today, the Malachim are a marginal group.
The dispute was apparently over the tutelage of Yosef Yitchok.B. Sobel, The M’lochim According to the Malachim, Levine caught him reading a secular book and told his father about the incident. Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, the fifth Rebbe of Chabad, did not believe that his son would do this and called tutor and tutee to talk with him. When Yosef Yitzchok promised that he had not read the book, the father accepted his word, and Levine resigned his post.Ehrlich, Leadership in the HaBaD Movement, pp. 269–271Jerome R. Mintz, Hasidic People, pp. 21–26
==Menachem Mendel Schneerson==
===A Rebbe as the "Essence of God"===
In 1950 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson described his father-in-law the sixth rebbe, and Rebbes in general, as being "the essence and content of God, as it put itself in a body". This is mentioned in his collected sermons Likkutei SichosLikkutei Sichos Vol. 2, pp. 510-511 He asks how one can make a request of a rebbe - isn't that a problem of speaking to God through an intermediary? (Which is anathematic to Judaism.) He notes that while his answer is novel, and not found in other Hasidic sources one must answer that in truth "One cannot ask [this] question. . . since Atzmus u'mehus alein vi er hat zich areingeshtalt in a guf" or "[a Rebbe] is the essence and substance of God enclothed in a body".
In recent years some critics, notably Rabbi Dr. David Berger and Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller, have opined that this is a major innovation by Schneerson that in their view "deifies" the Rebbe, which is contrary to Orthodox Judaism. Chabad writers counter that these reactions are based on misunderstandings of Kabbalistic terminology used by Rabbi Schneerson, and that similar expressions can be found throughout non-Chabad Hasidic and Kabbalistic literature.Pavzener, Avraham. Al HaTzadikim (Hebrew). Kfar Chabad. 1991Frumer, Assaf. Kol Hanikra Bishmi (Hebrew)
Defenders point to similar statements attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, the Ohr ha-Chaim, and many others. They point to a quote from Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi that "He who breathed life into man, breathed from Himself". Therefore, a person's soul is "truly a part of HaShem above".Tanya, Likutei Amarim chapter 2 They argue that in the light of these statements Schneerson's 1950 comments are not a departure from normative Jewish thought.
In 1961, ten years after Schneerson had first talked about Atzmus, senior chabad rabbis were using the term to describe him. In a letter dated Tamuz, 5721, Rabbi Avraham Pariz, rabbi of Kfar Chabad wrote:
:
===Schneerson on the Holocaust===
Schneerson compared the Holocaust to the amputation of a rotting limb.God as surgeon, Yehuda Bauer, Haaretz, June 13, 2007 Schneerson argues that the Holocaust may be beneficial on a deeper level of perception, and argues that God can be compared to a surgeon who amputates a limb to save a patients life:
Chabad emissiary Eliezer Shemtov wrote that this is a misunderstanding and that Schneerson's letter means the opposite of what the artilce in Haaretz claimed.How the Rebbe understood the Holocaust
===Rabbi Elazar Shach's critique===
Rabbi Elazar Shach a long-time leader of Lithuanian Judaism was involved in a number of public disputes with Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson the Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement from the 1970s through Rav Schneerson's death in 1994. Rav Shach accused his followers of false Messianism. When certain elements in Chabad actually identified Rabbi Schneerson as the possible Messiah, Rabbi Shach advocated a complete boycott of Chabad, its institutions and projects by its constituents. He objected to the call for "forcing" the Messiah's appearance, an idea advocated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.Faith and Fate: The Story of the Jewish People in the 20th century, Berel Wein, 2001 by Shaar Press. pg. 340 
Pointing to an assertion by the Rebbe in a passage dealing primarily with his predecessor that a rebbe is ‘the Essence and Being [of G-d] placed into a body,’ Rabbi Schach spoke of nothing less than Avodah Zara [idol worship]. His followers refused to eat meat slaughtered by Lubavich shochetim or to recognize Chabad Hasidim as adherents of authentic Judaism.The Rebbe, the Messiah, and the Scandal of Orthodox Indifference by David Berger, 
2001, published by the Littman Library of Jewish Civilization of Portland. Page 7. Rabbi Shach also compared Chabad and Rabbi Schneerson to the followers of the 17th-century false messiah Sabbatai Zevi. Chabad representatives dismissed the comparisons, noting that whereas the Sabbateans deliberately violated religious laws on the assumption that a "new Torah" would emerge during messianic times, Chabad preached that only strict adherence to tradition would bring the redemption. Chabad also claimed that its veneration of the rebbe was not at odds with Jewish tradition.Summer of the Messiah (Jerusalem Report) February 14, 2001.
Rabbi Shach once described Schneerson as "the madman who sits in New York and drives the whole world crazy."The Messiah of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidim Past and Present, M. Avrum Ehrlich, Chapter 10, notes, KTAV Publishing, ISBN 0881258369
In addition to Rabbi Shach's objections to some Chabad members venerating Rabbi Schneerson as the Messiah (both before and after his death), the two also disagreed on various issues of Jewish law and philosophy, but particularly politics. Chabad strongly opposed peace talks with the Palestinians or to relinquishing any Israeli territory under any circumstance, while Rabbi Shach alternately supported both left and right-wing parties in the Israeli elections. During the 1988 elections, Schneerson encouraged Israeli Haredim to vote for Agudat Israel over Rabbi Shach's newly-formed Degel HaTorah party. In response, Rabbi Shach's newspaper, Yated Ne'eman, ran several articles documenting various Chabad writings and statements that supported Rav Shach's contention that Lubavitch was becoming a breakaway sect of Judaism focused around Schneerson as the Messiah.
Chabad characterized Rabbi Shach's opposition to Rabbi Schneerson as being personal in nature, and stemming from private disagreements between the two leaders, but Rav Shach's supporters defended his harsh criticism of Chabad, saying the movement represented a very real threat of turning religious Jews to apostasy. There have been similar concerns regarding Chabad Messianism that have since been raised among Haredi and Modern Orthodox communities in Israel and the United States. 
In a conversation that he had with an American rabbi in the 1980s, Rabbi Shach stated, "The Americans think that I am too controversial and divisive. But in a time when no one else is willing to speak up on behalf of our true tradition, I feel myself impelled to do so."
It should be noted that in spite of his pitched battle against Lubavitch, Rabbi Shach nevertheless recited Tehillim when Rabbi Schneerson became sick. At the time he was asked for an explanation, and he obliged, “My battle is against his erroneous approach, against the movement, but not against the people in any personal way. I pray for the Rebbe’s recovery and simultaneously, also pray that he abandon his invalid way.” Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight - OPINION & COMMENT 
Rabbi Shach made clear in his writings Michtavim U'Maamaromim 5:533 (pg. 137) that he is not at all opposed to chassidim and chassidus (including Chabad Chassidim from the previous generations Michtavim U'Maamorim 2:23 (pg. 31) 1986 edition.) ; he recognized them as "yera'im" and "shlaymim" and full of Torah and Mitzvos and fear of heaven.Michtavim U'Maamaromim 5:534 (pg. 138) 
Rabbi Shach often clarified his stand, both in speech and in writing, that the slander spread against him about his persecution of chassidim was something he could never forgive, for it had transformed him into a baal machlokes, a hate-monger, at a time when he loved peace and pursued it to the nth degree.
In 1980, Rabbi Shach and Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (known as the "Steipler") protested the Chabad Lag Ba'omer parade.See Michtavim U'maamarim Volume 1 (Edition 2) page 49, Letter of Protest, signed by Rabbi Shach and Kanievsky 
In 1988 Shach explicitly denounced Schneerson as a meshiach sheker (false messiah).A Historian's Polemic Against 'The Madness of False Messianism' 
By Allan Nadler. http://www.rickross.com/reference/lubavitch/lubavitch9.html See also Toward the Millennium: Messianic Expectations from the Bible to Waco By Peter Schäfer, Mark
R. Cohen. 1998. pg. 404, footnote 56. http://books.google.com/books?id=AT8GF9EciLEC. See Michtavim U'maamarim [5:569 (173)]. 
Rabbi Shach is quoted as saying, "Even if I knew for certain that they would burn me alive, I would still not desist in my campaign against false messianism, for this is bona fide avodoh zorah."Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight - OPINION & COMMENT 
Rabbi Shach is quoted as saying, "We are fighting against secularism in the yeshivas. Today, besiyata deShmaya people are learning Torah in both Chassidic and Lithuanian yeshivos. In my view there is no difference between them; all of them are important and dear to me. In fact, go ahead and ask your Chassidic friends with us at Ponevezh if I distinguish between Chassidic and Lithuanian bochurim."Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight - IN-DEPTH FEATURES
===Other Haredi critiques===
Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner was opposed to what he is reported to have perceived as a "personality cult" built up around the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and to the public projection of both the Rebbe and the Lubavitch movement, by the movement, through public media—print and broadcast journalism, books, film, and the like.From Berlin to Slobodka by Rabbi Dr. Hillel Goldberg, KTAV 1989 (pages 187–188) 
In an interview with Mishapacha Magazine, Yisroel Belsky accused Chabad of having "become a personal cult centered on the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe", and said "There's no room in Yiddeshkeit for a personality cult in which an individual is deified and glorified. Whether he was great or wasn't is immaterial. There have been many great people in Judaism. The personality cult of glorifying an individual person, giving him unique titles, elevating the shape of the building he was active in, etc., has no place in Yiddeshkeit."Mishpacha, April 2008 Chabad Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg responded, in a letter to the magazine, "I can categorically state that none of the Chabad Yeshivas in any way, G-d forbid, 'deifies' the Rebbe. Rabbi Belsky's statement is totally libelous and falls in the category of falsehood and slander. The issue of the role of a tzaddik has always been a point of contention between Chasidim and non-chasidim. A perusal of the works of such Chasidic luminaries as the Meor Ainayim, the Noam Elimelech, and the Tiferes Shlomo, to name just a few, underscores the central role that a Rebbe occupies in the life of a Chasid. Ultimately we have come to respect these differences of opinions between the two communities. For Rabbi Belsky to reiterate this opposition to what he considers to be an improper Chasid-Rebbe relationship only fuels the fires of baseless hatred."Welcome to Shmais News Service - Chabad News Lubavitch News Crown Heights News 
Notwithstanding various denials from within the movement, there remains a large number of primary sources from Schneerson's own authorized writings that are perceived by many in mainstream OrthodoxyThe yeshiva deans of many of the world's largest yeshivos are on the record on this very point. Among them, R' Aharon Kotler, R' Shach, R' Aharon Feldman, R' Shlomo Miller, R' Yisroel Belsky etc. as, at the very least, resting at the very edge of full heresy.
===Chabad library controversy===
A family dispute arose about the library of the sixth Rebbe which also brought an internal family rivalry between Rabbi Barry Gurary (supported by his mother) and his uncle the seventh Rebbe (supported by the "Rashag", Barry's father) into the public spotlight. Barry Gurary's grandfather, the sixth Rebbe, collected a vast library of Judaica, which included several rare volumes. Barry believed, on his mother's word, that certain of the books in the library had been left to him. 
This, as well as the Sixth Rebbe's known closeness to his grandson, suggested to some that Barry was a potential heir to the Sixth Rebbe, as the only male descendent. However, when the Sixth Rebbe passed on, Barry was only twenty years old, and could not be seriously considered (Both Ehrlich, pp. 339-342, based on the testimony in the books case, and Deutsch, based as well on internal documents, agree to this). (See more at the Hasidic Judaism and Baal Shem Tov articles) Afterwards, he drifted away from the movement, no longer considered heir material.
In 1984, some 34 years after his grandfather's passing, Barry Gurary entered the library and clandestinely removed numerous Jewish books, including a first edition Passover haggadah worth over $50,000, and a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) that was said to have belonged to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism, and began selling the books. One illuminated Passover Haggadah dating back to 1757 was sold for $69,000 to a Swiss book dealer who soon found a private buyer to pay nearly $150,000 for it. His uncle, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad Rebbe, was infuriated by these actions. He demanded that the volumes be returned. When Barry refused, also refusing his uncle's summons to Beth Din, Schneerson pursued the case in the civil courts. On legal advice the Lubavitchers decided to obtain a temporary restraining order in the hope that this would resolve the matter. 
Rabbi Schneerson argued that the volumes were not the "personal possession" of Gurary's grandfather, but the "communal property" of the Lubavitch Hasidim. In making this argument, basing himself on a letter from his father-in-law indicating that the books were the heritage of the entire Jewish communityNY Times Case Transcript, 7 Jan. 1987 he implied that possession of the books legitimized a succession claim; therefore Barry's alleged theft constituted a challenge to his long-undisputed leadership of the Chabad movement. The organizational body that represents Lubavitch Chassidim - Agudas Chasidei Chabad (ACC), filed suit to retrieve the books. 
In 1986, the court ruled in favor of ACC, and that ruling was upheld on appeal in November 1987.Agudas Chasidei Chabad of U.S. v. Gourary, 833 F.2d 431 (C.A.2 (N.Y.), 1987) The volumes were returned to the library. The Lubavitcher Rebbe then proclaimed this day as a special time of rejoicing for Lubavitch which they called Didan Notzach (which basically means "our case won," implying that it was God who helped them win).
==Chabad messianism==
Chabad messianism is a belief by some within the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement that believe that the late Rabbi and leader of that movement Menachem Mendel Schneerson will be the Jewish Messiah. Adherents to this belief are termed Mishichist in Yiddish.
Before Schneerson's death in 1994 a significant body of Chabad Hasidim believed that he was soon to be crowned as the Messiah - an event that would herald the Messianic Age and the construction of the Third Temple. Books and pamphlets were written containing purported proofs for the Rabbi's status as Messiah, some of which Schneerson opposed.
Attempts by his followers to persuade him to reveal himself as the Messiah were to no avail. Followers routinely sang the mantra "Long live our master, our teacher and our rabbi, King Messiah for ever and ever" in his presence - a chant that he often encouraged in his last years, after suffering a stroke, which left him unable to speak and paralyzed on the right side of his body.
During the later years of his life Rabbi Schneerson's teachings were interpreted by many to mean that he was claiming to be the Messiah.
His death in 1994 did not remove the messianist fervor. Believers soon developed new rationales to justify the belief the Schneerson was the Messiah despite being dead. Some argued that he had in fact not died at all and was still physically present. Others argued that though he was dead Judaism did not rule out the possibility of the Messiah returning from the dead. 
The development of this messianism and its impact on Chabad in specific — and Orthodox Judaism in general — has been the subject of much discussion in the Jewish press, as well as within the pages of peer-reviewed journals. Nevertheless, the belief in the Lubavitcher Rebbe being the Messiah, is confined to a subset of the Chabad community and is not accepted by Jewish adherents outside of that community.
===Yechi===
"Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu v'Rabbeinu Melech haMoshiach l'olam vo'ed!" is a phrase used by many Lubavitch Hasidim to pray and proclaim that the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson is the messiah. It means "Long Live our Master, our Teacher, and our Rabbi, King Messiah, for ever and ever." The phrase can be seen printed in various settings, it is chanted by many people at the end of daily communal prayers in Lubavitch congregations, including the main Lubavitch synagogue in Crown Heights. In Oholei Torah/Oholei Menachem, the largest Lubavitch yeshiva outside Israel, Yechi is recited during the service, and an administrative directive declared that any student who cannot behave respectfully during the recitation should go elsewhere.Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight - OPINION & COMMENT Yechi has a complex and controversial history dating back to the mid-1980s and is often viewed as a litmus test to differentiate the messianists from the anti-messianists or non-messianists.
===Shaul Shimon Deutsch===
Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, a former Lubavitcher, started a new Hasidic group, Chabad-Liozna. However he has failed in attracting adherents. He took this title in a ceremony on December 5, 1996 at his synagogue on 45th Street in Brooklyn."Dissidents Name 'Rebbe'," The Forward, December 6, 1996 He took the name of the town of Liozna in Belorussia where the early Chabad movement was founded with the intent of enticing Chabad followers away from the belief that their late leader was the Messiah. His actions have made him an object of derision within the mainstream Chabad community.Heinon, Herb, "Bigger than Death," Jerusalem Post, August 15, 1997 
In 1998 he was the victim of a campaign of character assassination via the Internet.Jolkovsky, Binyamin L., "The "Messiah Wars" heat up: Online gets out-of-line", Jewish World Review, February 19, 1998 A forged Jewish Telegraphic Agency press release claimed that he had been arrested for embezzlement and the counterfeiting of ten-dollar bills. He installed bulletproof glass in the windows of his home and synagogue.Segall, Rebecca, "Holy Daze 
The problems of young Lubavitcher Hasidim in a world without the Rebbe," The Village Voice, September 30, 2000
==Weinstock estate==
The "Weinstock estate" case, that dragged through the courts for ten years, divided the highest levels of Chabad administration into two irreconcilable camps.
In 1978 Judah Leo Weinstock bequeathed a $32 million estate to the United Lubavitcher Yeshivot (ULY), a body that oversaw the funding of four Chabad yeshivas, under the direction of Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary. The donation had been solicited for the ULY by Rabbi Nachman Sudak, a Chabad emissary in London. However, Weinstock had asked that the money be used to establish Yeshivas in Israel, something that ULY was not capable of. Gurary ordered that the monies be distributed evenly between ULY and Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch (MLC) which maintained Yeshivas outside the US. In 1987 a board of trustees (including Yehuda Krinsky) was established that distributed the money on a discretionary basis between ULY and MLC. 
In October 1994, a few months after Schneerson's death ULY fell into financial troubles. The directors of ULY requested large sums from the trustees - eating into the principal of the estate. The directors of the MLC (some of whom were also trustees of the estate) objected to the requests, and the trustees of the estate refused to grant the money.
Furious, the directors of ULY began claiming sole title to the estate, based on a strict reading of Weinstock's original bequest. The ULY took the MLC to court, having failed to agree on a mutually acceptable Beit Din. The previously open relationship between the ULY, MLC and the trustees - while Schneerson was alive - complicated the case, as did the ambiguity in the bequest.
===Litigation===
Surrogate Judge Michael Feinberg dealt with the case from 1995, when the dispute surfaced until 2000 when he ruled that there had been clear intent to share the money equally between the two organizations, once united but now at loggerheads.
In 1997 the dispute had deteriorated, and a rival ULY board headed by Krinsky claimed to be the rightful representatives of ULY. Feinberg ruled that until the dispute could be settled Mario CuomoHow a Hefty Fee for an Ex-Governor Went Unnoticed, Tom Robbins, The Village Voice, July 23 - 29, 2003 would serve as the emergency receiver, a role he held till 2000. In 2000 Feinberg ruled that since the parties refused to attend any type of Beit Din or arbitration, he had to rule against the original board and for Krinsky since the original board had failed to cooperate with the court-appointed arbitrator. The judge noted that:
:
The ruling was a major blow for the ULY board, known as the Vaad,Lubavitch Yeshiva case over, Shamais News Service, September 25, 2000 though their lawyers welcomed the decision publicly saying that they could now appeal.
In a final judgement in November 2003, New York Supreme Court ruled that the original course of dealing before 1994 showed intent on behalf of the ULY to share the money evenly with MLC, and that course should continue.Preliminary hearing, Commercial Division, Part 2 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, 29th day of October, 2003 Thus, after nine years of litigation, the original ULY board lost their claim for complete control of the Weinstock estate.Decision of interest, Weinstock Estate, New York Law Journal, November 13, 2003
==Local controversies==
===Europe===
====Czech Republic====
In Prague in 2005 tensions developed between Chabad members and Rabbi Karol Sidon. The Alt-Neu Synagogue in Prague's ancient Jewish Quarter became the scene of an emotional dispute between members of the Chabad movement and locals backing Karol Sidon, chief rabbi of the Czech Republic. The conflict led to violent brawls and hospitalisations on a number of occasions.Jewish conflict turns violent: Community, Chabad vie to control Prague's Old-New Synagogue, Dinah A. Spritzer, The Prague Post, April 21, 2005 Sidon was eventually returned to his post.S controversy, Sidon is reappointed as Prague chief rabbi, Spritzer, Dinah A, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 9, 2005 
In 2004 Tomas Jelinek the director of the community council fired Sidon as Rabbi giving the post to young Chabad rabbi Manis Barash. A grassroots campaign from community members led to the deposition of Jelinek as the community director. Jelinek then asked a religious arbiter in Israel to rule on the case who ruled in favor of Barash. Sidon's supporters argued that the case was void since Jelinek had lied to the Judge telling him that the community board had been behind his actions in firing Sidon and appointing Barash. However, on 21 November 2005 he was reelected as the chief Rabbi of the city following the protracted dispute with Chabad.'Little Jerusalem' shul battle heats up, Lev Krichevsky, Jerusalem Post, April 13, 2005
Community head Jacub Roth told the press: " this is part of the local Chabad’s striving to take over the community’s religious life. We have seen an ugly foray of Chabad in their attempt to take over the Old-New Shul."
====Lithuania====
In May 2004, the Lithuanian Jewish community temporarily closed the Vilnius synagogue following a disorderly dispute in the synagogue between members of the Orthodox and the Chabad Lubavich Jewish groups. The community closed the synagogue again in August 2004, following another disturbance. The Government charged the leader of the Chabad Lubavich community with assault and trespassing in the second occurrence, but subsequently dropped the charges. The synagogue remained closed pending resolution of the community's internal disputes.International Religious Freedom Report, US Embassy in Vilnius, 2005
=====Sholom Ber Krinsky=====
Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky (nephew of Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky) the Chabad emissary to Vilnius has been embroiled in a number of scandals. His soup kitchen was closed down because it served contaminated food. A scandal erupted when charges were made that he had stolen money from donors. Creditors took over the first floor of his Chabad Center to cover unpaid debts, and he remains indebted to his creditors. He collected money to maintain the Jewish cemetery in the city but never paid the $25,000 to the community which was his share in the maintenance.Developments in Vilna's Jewish Community in the Past 15 Years, Yated Ne'eman, December 12, 2004
Krinsky styles himself as Lithuania's "Chief Rabbi", though this was not widely accepted. His attempts to become the officially recognised chief rabbi included having Yona Metzger – who has close ties to Chabad – write a letter to the Lithuanian President; he tried appealing to the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice, but this too failed. On February 29, 2004, he held a meeting of 30 of his followers within the community and declared that they were the religious Jewish community of Lithuania. These people proclaimed him chief rabbi and documentation of the meeting was sent to the Ministry of Justice, but this failed to sway the government who maintained that choosing leaders was the prerogative of a religious community as a whole. In response 400 Jewish Lithuanians signed a document condemning Krinsky.
When the community appointed a Chief Rabbi, Chaim Burstein in early 2004 Krinsky and his followers began a campaign against him. In May 2004 some of Krinsky's followers attacked Burstein on the podium during prayers, and the police were called to break up what became a brawl. Burstein retreated to his home with some supporters to continue prayers but Chabad activists broke in and continued assaulting the worshippers.
The synagogue closed down and was reopened a few weeks later with security at the door to prevent the ingress of Krinsky and his friends. Krinsky attempted to enter and a brawl ensued.Quarrels keep Vilnius synagogue closed, Milda Seputyte, The Baltic Times, September 02, 2004 Krinsky told the press that the security made him "feel like I went through a Nazi selection." The synagogue was again closed for the duration of the summer, Krinsky and his Chabad followers maintained an angry vigil at the scene that was covered regularly by the local media.
In June 2007 Krinsky was facing eviction from his premises for non-payment of rent, and was given an ultimatum by the community to "publicly acknowledge the community's ownership of the synagogue and its choice of chief rabbi; cease referring to himself as "chief rabbi"; and submit to "a sound, open and transparent financial management".Vilnius Shul Duel Heats Up Over Restitution, Michael J. Jordan, JTA, June 4, 2007
====Russia====
A bitter rivalry has been ongoing in Russia for the past 10 years between Berel Lazar, chief rabbi for the Chabad-Lubavitch-dominated Federation of Jewish Communities, and Yevgeny Satanovsky, president of the pluralist Russian Jewish Congress, over who represents the Jews of Russia on an official basis.Rival Russian Jewish Leaders Lend Backing to Putin, Nathaniel Popper, The Forward, November 14, 2003 The Kremlin officially recognized Lazar as the religious leader of the Russian Jewish community, pushing aside the congress's Rabbi Adolf Shayevich, who until then had occupied the post.
Since the installation of Rabbi Berel Lazar as the Chief Rabbi there have been a number of controversies associated with Chabad influence with premier Vladimir Putin, and their funding from various Russian oligarchs, including Lev Leviev and Roman Abramovich.No love lost, Yossi Mehlman, Haaretz, December 11, 2005 Lazar is known for his close ties to Putin's Kremlin.Chabad Prize to Putin Spurring Debate Over Russian's Actions, Eric J. Greenberg, The Forward, February 4, 2005
Putin became close to the Chabad movement, since it is the largest Jewish organization in the FSU representing the majority of communities. Some say it was after a number of non-Chabad Jewish oligarchs and Rabbis including Vladimir Gusinsky (the founder of the non-Chabad Russian Jewish Congress), backed other candidates for president.Jewish media baron arrested in Moscow, Elli Wohlgelernter, Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2000 Lev Leviev, a chabad oligarchDe Beers, Phyllis Berman Lea Goldman, September 15, 2003 supported Putin, and the close relationship between them led to him supporting the Chabad federation nomination of Lazar as Chief Rabbi of Russia, an appointment that Putin immediately recognized despite it not having been made by the established Jewish organisation.Putin, Making a Gesture to Jews, Slips Into a Factional Morass, Michael Wines, New York Times, September 19, 2000 Some have gone so far as to describe Lazar as Putin's Court Jew; Lazar responded to these allegations:
Rabbi Adolf Shayevich, who had been Chief Rabbi of Russia until 1998, argues that the Lazar is merely the appointee of Chabad and that he remains Chief Rabbi. What happened, he explains, "has nothing to with religion and everything to do with politics and business. The president invites him to receptions and does not invite me. I am not offended."
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt was expelled from Russia by order of the government, after having lived in Russia for fifteen years. According to rival oligarch Vladimir Slutsker Goldschmidt told friends that it was Slutsker that had him expelled due to his opposition to Chabad.Russia: Why was Moscow's Chief Rabbi deported?, Geraldine Fagan, Forum 18 News Service, October 6, 2005 Lazer made no protest at the expulsion of his rival, and within days was appointed to Putin's "Public Chamber",Chief Rabbi of Russia Named to Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, FJC News, October 6, 2005 a controversial body that human rights groups have criticised as a window dressing exercise, packed with Putin acolytes to "legitimize the government’s increasingly authoritarian policies".Putin Names Rabbi To Advisory Body, The Jewish Week, October 7, 2005 
According to an editorial in the Jerusalem Post the reason why Lazar has not protested Putin's arrests of Jewish Oligarchs and Goldschmidt's deportation is that "Russia's own chief rabbi, Chabad emissary Berel Lazar, is essentially a Kremlin appointee who has been made to neutralize the more outspoken and politically active leaders of rival Jewish organizations."Editorial, Jerusalem Post, June 2, 2005
In 2003 while many around the world criticised the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky Lazar praised the action saying that "The future of the country shouldn’t be in the hands of one man who has money," 
Rival RJC chair head Yevgeny Satanovsky said that Lazar's endorsement of the actions was intended to develop a role as the special Jew for Putin in order to strengthen the position of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which he said was built around the worship of Schneerson. Lazar responded that "it’s no secret that I have a very good relationship with the president." 
=====Darkei Shalom synagogue=====
The Darkei Shalom synagogue is a major synagogue in northern Moscow. It was affiliated with Chamah, a religious and social welfare movement on behalf of former Soviet Jews with offices in New York and Israel, as well as Moscow. The spiritual leader of Darkei Shalom, Rabbi David Karpov, is a devotee of the late Lubavitcher rebbe, yet over the years he has distanced himself from FEOR, the Chabad rabbinical grouping in Russia that appointed and is headed by Lazar. Kaprov was telephoned by Lazar telling him that the synagogue was being gifted to the Chabad movement by its owners and that he would have to leave the synagogue, and resign his post to make way for the a new Chabad emissary.Hostile Takeover In Moscow? 
Critics of Chabad-led umbrella group angry as shul changes hands; AJCongress dragged into controversy, Walter Ruby, Jewish Week, April 1, 2005 Lazar suggested that if he fell into line with FEOR he may be allowed to stay. At the same time Kaprov received court orders over various technical and administrative issues, which Kaprov argued were due to Lazar pressuring Kaprov. In an open letter to Lazar, Rabbi Adolph Shayevich and 16 other rabbis wrote:
:
Shayevich added in a statement to the press that "they already have too much money and power, and are using it to destroy all Jewish organizations which resist Chabad’s total domination of Russian Jewish life."
Critics of Chabad-led umbrella group angry as shul changes hands; AJCongress dragged into controversy, Walter Ruby, Jewish Week, April 1, 2005
=====Putin medal=====
At the sixtieth anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz at the concentration camp, Putin gave a controversial speech in which he failed to mention the death of Jews at the camp. His speech was followed by the presentation by Lazar of a medal honoring Putin, something that was not on the schedule for the event. Lazar lated defended his action saying that he "had no second thoughts".
====Ukraine====
Chabad maintain a Chief Rabbi in the Ukraine in opposition to non-Chabad Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich. A group of prominent secular Jews orchestrated the appointment of Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman - a Chabad messianist to rival Bleich and another Chabad rabbi, Azriel Haikin who had been appointed by Chabad in 2002. His election as Chief Rabbi by a group formed by some wealthy Jewish businessmen in October 2005, caused considerable controversy in the Ukraine Jewish community. Azman's election was endorsed by a group of secular Jewish leaders attending a Kiev Jewish conference, but not by any rabbinical authorities.Ukrainian community split over chief rabbi Phoenix Jewish News, Vladimir Matveyev, October 28, 2005 A group of rabbis from the non-Chabad Russian Jewish Congress attacked the appointment describing it as "illegitimate" and "insulting to the feelings of every believer". 150 secular Jewish leaders from 100 Ukrainian cities and towns later protested the vote as well.Recent election of third chief rabbi in Ukraine splits Jewish community, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, October 24, 2005
According to the Baltimore Jewish Times, More than 30 Chabad rabbis affiliated with the federation issued a statement Sept. 15 saying that the election of another Chabad rabbi, Moshe Reuven Azman of Kiev, to serve as Ukraine's chief rabbi was "illegitimate" and "insulting to the feelings of every believer. A chief Rabbi can be elected only by rabbis working in Jewish communities of that country," and argued that the election was invalid.Chabad dispute escalates, Baltimore Jewish Times, October 21, 2005
====United Kingdom====
=====Gaon Club=====
The financial troubles at a central London club aimed at attracting professionals, consumed a third of Chabad's total UK budget. Allegations of financial irregularities led to the directors of the Lubavitch Foundation (UK) filing a Beit Din suit against the club's director rabbis Mendy Vogel and Yosef Vogel demanding that they cease and desist from using the Chabad name.Going going Gaon, Zeddy Lawrence, Going Going Gaon, December 24, 2007
Rabbi Shlomo Levin, director of Lubavitch UK said the Lubavitch Foundation had been "unable to meet its monthly commitments, amassing large debts in unpaid teachers salaries, bank loans and unpaid PAYE." He complained that the Club was responsible for swallowing a large chunk of the movement's budget.Lubavitch gets financial house in order, London Jewish News, January 3, 2008
The Gaon club was opened by Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in 2006 and was located in rent-free premises in the West End of London.
The club was closed and the Beit Din ruled that the Vogel brothers must not use the Chabad, Lubavitch or Gaon Club names for at least 6 months and that they should return any Chabad property that they had in their possession. Rabbi Faivish Vogel the father of the two men, who was the chief fundraiser of the "Lubavitch Foundation (UK)" which brought the suit, resigned following the ruling.Club debacle sets oﬀ alarm bells, Geoffrey Alderman, Jewish Chronicle, January 4, 2008
It emerged that the foundation is now £1.5million ($3 million) in debt to banks and other individuals. The Vogel brothers expressed their intent to continue their activities despite the ruling: "We are not going anywhere. Our dedication to Anglo-Jewry, and particularly its young people, was not just a job. It was our life, as taught to us by our father who was inspired by the Lubavitcher Rebbe."Chabad rabbis remain defiant, Simon Rocker, Jewish Chronicle, January 4, 2008
====Rabbinical Center of Europe====
Chabad established a rival rabbinical grouping (called the "Rabbinical Center of Europe") to the Conference of European Rabbis, the primary Orthodox Jewish rabbinical conference in Europe since the Second World War. The body is headed by Moshe Garelick, a Chabad Rabbi from Milan. The executive director of the "Conference", Aba Dunner complained that the "center" was misrepresenting itself, deliberately confusing people and duplicating their work. Attacked their action as counter-productive he said: 
While the organisation was set up as a Chabad group, they removed all references to Chabad after a few months, the Chabad Headquarters in New York still listed it as a Chabad organisation. The sister organisation of the "Center", the "European Jewish Community Center" uses the initials EJCC again similar to the initials of the European Jewish Congress - a major organisation with representatives in over 40 states. Cobi Benatoff, president of the European Jewish Congress siad "We will certainly be confronting Chabad about this issue, this way of misleading people is not the Jewish way."Battling for Europe's Jews (part 2) -In capital of European Union, Chabad wields great influence, Philip Carmel, JTA, April 20, 2005
===United States===
====Prospect Heights====
In 2006 a bitter dispute over territorial rights erupted in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, head of Tri-state area emissaries, appointed Rabbi Ari Kirschenbaum as a shliach in the neighbourhood. Rabbi Shimon Hecht of neighbouring Park Slope disputed his right to do so, claiming that Prospect Heights was within his "territory"; shortly afterwards Hecht's niece and her husband moved into the area, his son started a Chabad center of his own, and his wife opened a branch of her day-care center in the area. Kastel filed a lawsuit against Hecht in a Beit Din alleging that he has overstepped his boundaries by undermining Kirschenbaum's activities. Kastel says the problem is that there aren’t enough up-and-coming areas to go around. "There are maybe 100 or 200 guys who trained their whole lives, and are looking for an opportunity to go. Smaller communities which would never be considered before are getting people." He attributed the case to gentrification of neighbourhoods, which present a tempting prospect to motivated Chabad emissariesMall Menorah Smackdown Dueling rabbis struggle over who gets to spread the faith to newcomers in the gentrifying area around Atlantic Yards., Debra Nussbaum Cohen, New York Times Magazine, January 2, 2007
====Woodstock====
In 2005 two rival Chabad emissaries became embroiled in a public row over who was the bona fide emissary of Chabad to the wealthy community of Woodstock, New York.Cha-bad blood:Menorah lighting ceremony reveals rift in local Lubavitcher communities, Andrea Barrist Stern, Woodstock Times, December 23, 2005 Rabbi Yacov Borenstein, who opened a Chabad center in Poughkeepsie 20 years ago and has since launched smaller centers in New Paltz, Goshen and Woodstock was pitted against Rabbi Yitzchok Hecht who opened a specific branch for Woodstock in 2005. Borenstein told the press:
Borenstein, a messianist, was fired by the Chabad organisation in the 1990s, according to Hecht, and therefore had no right to establish a Chabad synagogue. Hecht responded saying "he knows he is not authorized and is not part of the system. Anyone can call themselves Lubovitcher and say he is here to do the Rebbe's work, but that doesn't make you part of the system." The dispute came to public attention after both groups attempted to establish a Menorah for Hanukkah on the village green, they subsequently agreed to take turns at lighting the menorah on an annual basis. Borenstein argued that a religious court ruling in 2004 had found that he was Chabad's sole emissary to Ulster County, Hecht argued that the ruling was invalid as the court did not have the authority to rule on cases out side of New York City.
Borenstein was involved in an almost identical dispute with the Chabad emissary to Orange County, New York, Rabbi Pesach Burston.Chabad family feuds, Monroe Sunday Record, May 28, 2006
====Postville====
Rabbi Aaron Rubashkin purchased a disused meat-packing plant in the declining town of Postville, Iowa in 1987 and turned it into a state of the art facility for the rendition of Glatt kosher meat. The influx of Chabad adherents from New York to manage the facility and to ensure Kashrut led to demographic changes it the staunchly Lutheran town of 1,500 residents. Journalist and Professor Stephen Bloom spent months living amongst the townsfolk and wrote a book on the conflict between the Lubavitchers and the native residents entitled Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America, that was heavily critical of what he saw as the bigotry and insularity of the Chabad residents, as well as their business practices.Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America, Stephen G. Bloom, 2001 ISBN 0-15-100652-0
=====Armed robbery=====
On September 27, 1991 two married Chabad Rabbinical studentsIn Rural Iowa, Residents Learn The Ways Of Their Orthodox Jewish Neighbors, Rogers Worthington, Chicago Tribune, November 22, 1992 who were working as ritual slaughterers at the Postville Plant, Phillip Stillman from Crown Heights and Rabbi Pinchas Lew, son of senior London Chabad rabbi Shmuel Lew, committed a series of armed robberies in the Postville area, one of which led to Stillman shooting and critically injuring convenience store clerk Marion Bakken in Decorah, Iowa.
Using a borrowed Oldsmobile, with the licence plates removed, they drove to the town of Ossian, Iowa. When they arrived, Stillman pulled out a .357 Magnum on a retired schoolteacher working a popcorn stand and demanded his coins and bills. They then headed to Decorah where they raided a convenience store. As the clerk, a 50-year-old grandmother, rang a silent alarm, Stillman shot her,A Jewish Sect Comes To Iowa To Kick-Start A Factory And Finds A New Home, Stephen G. Bloom, Chicago Tribune, January 28, 1996 leaving a bullet permanently lodged next to her spine causing her ongoing pain.
Stillman pleaded guilty to attempted murder and first-degree robbery.1 suspect in Decorah robbery pleads guilty, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City), February 4, 1992 While awaiting sentencing, on March 8, 1992 Stillman escaped from Jail but was recaptured within five minutes.Winneshiek jail escapees caught, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City), March 9, 1992 Stillman was sentenced to 55 years in jail for three offences, to be served consecutively.Robber who shot clerk, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City), March 12, 1992 Bloom wrote:
Lew, who's $200,000 bond had been paid by a "hasidic organisation in Brooklyn",Woman shot has yet to see a dime -A Chapel Hill rabbi was ordered in a civil lawsuit to pay the Iowa victim more than $1.4 million, James Miller, The Herald Sun (Durham, NC), May 18, 2001 made an Alford plea to conspiracy to commit a forcible felony as part of a plea bargain and was sentenced to 10 years in jail and 5 years on probation for driving the getaway car.Lew sentenced to 10,The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City), November 26, 1992 After complaining that the food was not kosher, he was released on probation after three months on condition that he attended a religious rehabilitation program.Monastic' sentence replaces prison term,Sarah Strandberg, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City), March 31, 1993 His victim then lodged a civil suit. On March 18, 1994, a jury returned a verdict that ordered Lew to pay her and her husband, $1.43 million plus 10 percent annual interest.Robber Rabbi arrested again, Jewish Journal June 7, 2001
=====Pinchas Lew=====
Rabbi Pinchas Lew gained rabbinical ordination while on probation for the 1991 armed robbery. He subsequently moved to Chapel Hill in 1997 where on the instructions of Chabad leadership he set up a Chabad house, and was the shaliach to the University of North Carolina. After three years, news of his past came to light. Following the publication of Postville many in the community demanded he leave, particularly after it emerged that he had not paid any of the restitution money that the court awarded his victim.Rabbi's criminal record raises questions in community, Yonat Shimron, The News & Observer, May 18, 2001 In a public meeting at the Duke University campus on May 16, 2001 Lew refused to discuss the issue of restitution payments; this and press reports the victim had said that Lew had never apologised made some in the community uneasy. By this time Lew had five children, and used the name "Pinny Lew".
The Chabad movement appointed Lew as the emissary to Chapel Hill despite being aware of his past, according to Rabbi Yossi Groner (son of Leib Groner), the emissary in Charlotte. Groner noted that Lew was completely reformed, spiritual, remorseful and "is an excellent person." 
In June 2001, Lew was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor offence of indecently exposing himself while touching his genitals to his Hispanic housekeeper on May 16, a few hours before he defended himself at the public meeting at Duke.Judge drops assault charge, Yonat Shimron, The News & Observer, August 11, 2001 On August 10 the case came to trial. The maid testified that:
Lew's attorney argued that the crime of indecent exposure does not apply on private property, and as that had been the police's initial charge the judge dismissed the case on a technicality. Following the case a Chabad Beit Din convened and ruled that Lew's position had become untenable and that he would have to retire, and he left his posting in November 2001.Rabbi leaves position, Yonat Shimron, The News & Observer, November 24, 2001
Lew subsequently wrote articles for Chabad websites on modesty and family purity on behalf of Chabad of Puerto Rico.An anthology of laws and customs pertaining to pregnancy and childbirth distributed by Chabad of Puerto Rico, copyright Pinny Lew 2005
====Public menorahs====
In 1989, the County of Allegheny with the support of Chabad defended itself in court all the way to the United States Supreme Court from the ACLU in County of Allegheny v. ACLU over the display of a public Menorah owned by Chabad. 
The city of Burlington, Vermont denied the local Chabad chapter, headed by Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin permission to erect a Menorah in the city's main park during Chanukah.Mark A. Kaplan v. City of Burlington and Robert Whalen (12/12/89)United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, No. 89-7042; 891 F.2d 1024 Raskin appealed the decision on two occasions after an initial hearing 1987 found the display to be unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The ACLU assisted the city of Burlington in a final appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1991, and the Menorah ban was upheld.Chabad-Lubavitch of Vermont v. City of Burlington, 936 F.2d 109 (C.A.2 (Vt.), 1991)New Twist to Old Fight: Menorah in Vermont Park, Sally Johnson, New York Times, December 20, 1987 A similar case occurred in Chicago in 1990, and the court found the same way,Lubavitch Chabad House, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 917 F.2d 341 (C.A.7 (Ill.), 1990) as did a court in Iowa in 1986.Lubavitch of Iowa, Inc. v. Walters, 808 F.2d 656 (C.A.8 (Iowa), 1986) Another similar case in Cincinnati had the same judgement,Congregation Lubavitch v. City of Cincinnati, 923 F.2d 458 (C.A.6 (Ohio), 1991) as did a case in Georgia.Chabad-Lubavitch of Georgia v. Miller, 5 F.3d 1383 (C.A.11 (Ga.), 1993)
A similar case in White Plains led to the Common Council unanimously rejecting the display of a Menorah in a public space in the town with the support of many Jews, affirming a local tradition of keeping parks free of religious and political displays.White Plains Council Blocks Electric Menorah for Park, Lisa W. Foderaro, December 3, 1991
In 1988, the American Jewish Congress produced a 28-page report, entitled "The Year of the Menorah", criticising Chabad's Menorah campaign and the litigation that went with it. It complained of the increase in the number of menorahs placed on public lands, arguing that it was causing tension both within the community and with non-Jews.Menorah displays stir jewish rift, Miami Herald, June 14, 1987
IN 2002 U.S. Supreme Court last ruled that Chabad of Southern Ohio were entitled to light an 18-foot menorah in the city's Fountain Square. Justice John Paul Stevens ruled that the city could not ban the chanukiah and other religious displays from the square.Supreme Court rules on public chanukiot, Joe Berkofsky, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 6, 2002
====SeaTac Airport====
In December 2006 a controversy emerged after Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky complained that the SeaTac Airport was displaying a Christmas Tree but not a Menorah.[Christmas trees put back at SeaTac airport,Gene Johnson, Associated Press, December 13, 2006] In response to this complaint the airport management removed the tree, and Bogomilsky was widely criticised in the press for "having the tree removed". After considerable press and TV news coverage, the tree was replaced and Bogomilsky released the following statement:
====Satmar-Chabad disturbances====
On a number of occasions through the 1980s, Chabad and Satmar Hasidim became involved in violent brawls over various issues.Jew cleared in beard-cutting case, Philadelphia Daily News, May 25, 1984 In 1983 tensions were elevated and rioting ensued. Chabad spokesman Yehuda Krinsky blamed the Satmars, saying that the attacks were "definitely Satmar. Lubavitch is a victim of brutal attacks by Satmar. Their record of terrorism goes on."Attack on Rabbi brings anguish to Borough Park, Ari L. Goldman, New York Times, June 22, 1983 In a letter to Time magazine he repeated his allegations, arguing that it was false to claim that both groups were guilty.Letters to the editor, Time Magazine, August 01, 1983
====Mordecai Yomtov====
On December 3, 2001, Rabbi Mordechai Yomtov, a Chabad-trained rabbi at "Cheder Menachem Elementary school" was arrested and held on $500,000 bail after three boys, ages 8 to 10, reported that Yomtov was keeping them alone in the classroom and molesting them while the other children were at recess.Instructor at Cheder Menachem grade school accused of molesting boys, Julie Gruenbaum Fax, Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, December 14, 2001 Rabbi Chaim Cunin of Chabad told the press the students were being given counseling.Rabbi arrested on 10 counts of molestation, Julie Gruenbaum Fax, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 21, 2001 In a plea bargain with prosecutors, he was allowed to plead guilty to two acts of continuous sexual abuse of minors and one count of lewd conduct, and was sentenced to a year in prison and banned from associating with children.Rabbi sentenced to year in prison for lewd acts: Hebrew Teacher Pleads Guilty to Lewd Acts, Los Angales Times, February 5, 2002
====Hollywood====
A controversy about the right of Chabad to conduct religious services in two adjoining homes in Hollywood, California was termed "the most divisive issue in Hollywood history" by state officials.City refuses Chabad's request to remain in Hollywood Hills, John Holland, Sun-Sentinel.com, June 6, 2003 Chabad activists appealed to the Jews on the zoning commission to vote "with their hearts" and outvote the non-Jewish members of the commission to allow Chabad to continue to use the homes as a synagogue.
====Sholom Ber Levitin====
In 1989, the chief Chabad emissary to SeattleSeattle Chabad website. Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin was convicted of being part of an international money laundering ring that headed by Israeli Adi Tal. Levitin defended his actions, saying that the proceeds were going to Israel: "I was motivated by my desire to help my brethren in need, with funds being transferred to Israel" Levitin, one of 11 charged, was sentenced to a $10,000 fine and a 30-day imprisonment.Four global money laundering operatives sentenced, Daily News of Los Angeles, March 18, 1989Suspects from Los Angeles among those indicted in New Jersey, Los Angeles Daily News, March 26, 1988,
===Israel===
====Involvement in politics====
As a non-political organisation Chabad are officially banned from involvement in political campaigns in Israel under Israeli election laws. However, on a number of occasions Chabad has run campaigns that endorsed a candidate in an election, in 1988 and in 1996.
In 1988 Schneerson ordered his followers to vote for Agudas Yisroel to thwart his rival, Elazar Shach's party Degel haTorah's ambitions. 
The Chabad movement, taking the lead of Schneerson, began organising right-wing political campaigns starting in the 1980s. Famously they endorsed Binyamin Netanyahu in the 1996 election with a poster campaign with the slogan "Netanyahu is good for the Jews."Feeling Right at Kfar Habad, Arieh O'Sullivanm, Jerusalem Post, May 18, 1999 A The involvement of religious groups in endorsing candidates has been controversial in Israel, with left-wing politicians such as Shulamit Aloni bitterly criticising what she termed electoral interference. Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo, an ardent messianist is the most publicly political Chabad Rabbi organising a number of controversial political campaigns and calling for people not to celebrate Israeli Independence Day in response to Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan; he told a conference in Jerusalem that "the remedy for the disengagement is to understand that the State of Israel is a terrible thing. We should not bless or praise the state that was founded by criminals and heretics like Herzl."Thousands of delegates promise: "We shall not forgive", Dikla Gal-Ed, Makor Rishon, March 14, 2007
In 1996 Meretz leaders asked the Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair to investigate the links between Chabad and the Likud party to see whether there had been any improper funding.Meretz wants probe of Likud violations of 'Likud violations' of Party Funding, Evelyn Gordon, Jerusalem Post, July 4, 1996 In the 2006 election, Chabad declined to back any political platform.Chabad to remain apolitical in elections, Mathew Wagner, Jerusalem Post March 2, 2006 They also protested the fact that much of the funding for Chabad's pro-Netanyahu campaign had come from a foreign resident, Australian mining magnate Rabbi Joseph Gutnick
=====Shabtai Bloch=====
In 1998 a Chabad activist, Shabtai Bloch (born 1950) described by the New York Times as a "central figure in the rigorously Orthodox Chabad movement"Israeli Accused of Plot Against Netanyahu, New York Times, November 20, 1998 was arrested by Israeli police on suspicion of planning at attack on then Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu. According to Israeli army radio he had been a "central figure in the rigorously Orthodox Chabad movement". Bloch had planned to attack Netanyahu in the city of Safed, while the Prime Minister was visiting soldiers wounded in Lebanon. Bloch had been the leader of Chabad activists in Safed, and had planned to protest an Israeli troop withdrawal from parts of the West Bank that Netanyahu had authorised. Bloch had been active in Netanyahu's 1996 election campaign on behalf of Chabad and felt betrayed by the Prime Minister, according to the New York Times.Israeli Accused of Plot Against Netanyahu, New York Times, November 20, 1998 According to the Jerusalem Post Bloch was one of the leaders of the Chabad movement in Israel".GSS arrests man suspected of planning to attack PM, Danna Harman, Jerusalem Post, November 20, 1998 He was released after 10 days under house arrest.Chabad Under Fire: Israeli activist released to house arrest in, Lawrence Kohler Esses, The Jewish Week, November 27, 1998
=====Kfar Chabad attack=====
While attending the wedding of an associte at the Chabad community of Kfar Chabad in 2005, Binyamin Netanyahu was attacked by a crowd, who threw objects at him and slahed the tires of his armoured car while shouting "Murderer, your day will come", according to Yedioth Ahronoth. A plate was thrown at Mr. Netanyahu, then the Finance Minister.Netanyahu's response to wedding assault: Referendum, Gill Hoffman, Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2005 Shimon Peres responded to the incident saying "The attempt to attack Netanyahu was done only because of his views. It is incumbent upon us to condemn this trend." Netanyahu attacked at party, Al Jazeera, February 12, 2005
=====Gaza withdrawal=====
During the Gaza withdrawal in 2005, Saadia Hirschkop an 18 year old Chabad adherent from Crown Heights, then studying at the Chabad yeshiva in Kfar Chabad was found in possession of weapons and put under administrative detention by Israeli authorities along with two other far-right activists.Protesting Gaza pullout, Netanyahu resigns post, Chicago Tribune, August 8, 2005 They were accused of planning terror attacks against Arabs in an effort to derail the withdrawal plan. Hirschkop agreed to be deported to the United States.Army collecting weapons from Jewish settlers, USA Today, August 10, 2005
=====Shalom Dov Wolpo=====
Shalom Dov Wolpo called for the state execution of the prime minister of Israel Ehud Olmert and a number of senior ministers at a gathering of senior Israeli rabbis in Tel Aviv. He argued that they should be "hanged from the gallows" for giving "these Nazis [Palestinian terrorists] weapons and money".Rabbi wants Olmert hanged, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, January 3, 2008
Menahem Mazuz opened an investigation into the comments.Mazuz checking Chabad rabbi's 'traitor Olmert' statements for incitement Dan Izenberg, Jerusalem Post, January 3, 2008 In comments to the Jerusalem Post, Meretz MK Haim Oron called on Defense Minister Ehud Barak to prevent the Chabad movement from providing religious services on IDF bases until it distances itself from Wolpe. Binyamin Netanyahu and Chabad spokesperson Menachem Brod also condemned the comments. Brod argued:
His comments were also condemned by a number of religious MKs and by the Orthodox UnionKnesset Members and OU Condemn Rabbi Wolpe's 'Gallows' Remark, Nissan Ratzlav-Katz, Arutz Sheva News, January 4, 2008 The row threatens to split the movement, with the messianists faction at risk of being distanced from the rest of the Chabad movement.Rabbi's incitement against Olmert threatens to split Chabad, Nathan Jeffay, Haaretz, January 10, 2008
Wolpo has a long history of controversy in Chabad that in the past has resulted being chastised by the Rebbe in an unprecedented fashion. In Iyar 5744, 1984 the Rebbe told Rabbi Wolpo in reference to his repeated statements about Moshiach, "I am warning him to stop speaking, writing to spread or print anything about the ideas of Moshiach. In his name or in the name of others, or in whatever "kuntz" or style and way. And if G-d forbid he does something he should know clearly he is making a battle against me."
After bringing the Chabad Yeshiva to the edge of bankruptcy in Kiryat Gat he was removed as its director and replaced by Rabbi Havlin, now chief rabbi of Kiryat Gat and Rosh Yeshiva-Dean of the Chabad Yeshiva.
====Israeli Rabbinate conversion case====
In December 2007 the case of a Chabad educated man attempting to convert to Judaism came before a senior conversion Beit Din to authorize his conversion. During an interview before the panel of 3 rabbis the man espoused messianist views. The panel escalated the case to a group of four of Israel's most senior rabbis, two of whom were Modern Orthodox and two of whom were Haredi for arbitration. The Haredi rabbis were inclined to approve the conversion, while the Modern Orthodox pair were not, ruling that a exponent of messianist beliefs cannot be converted to Orthodox Judaism. The deadlock is to be resolved by leaving the final decision to Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel.Rabbinical Conversion Court refuses to convert Chabad messianist (Hebrew), Avishai ben Hayiim, Maariv, December 26, 2007
While Binyamin Ish-Shalom an educator at the centre that prepared the man for conversion argued that the beliefs were legitmate, a State Conversion Authority quoted the two opposing rabbis as arguing that Chabad messianism was "beyond the pale of normative Judaism":Gentile Lubavitcher refused conversion, Matthew Wagner, January 2, 2008
Responding to the case Shmuley Boteach criticised the rulings, arguing that messianism was not heretical. Seth Farber took a contrary position:Was the decision correct?, Jewish Chronicle, January 18, 2008
====Elkana====
A dispute of the construction of a Mikvah in the West Bank settlement of Elkana led to a case being heard before the Israeli supreme court to determine whether or not Chabad were part of Orthodox Judaism. Chabad residents demanded the local religious council build a double- Mikvah, per their requirements, but the religious council refused. All attempts to reach a compromise failed. The attorney for the local religious council made a statement on their behalf: "The local hassidim from Chabad are from a messianic cult and want to force the community to build the mikveh according to their specifications." The rabbi of Elkana who had made the decision defended his position: "I have ruled according to our custom on the mikveh issue. We are not a Chabad community and my ruling followed the rulings of outstanding rabbis throughout the generations."Is Chabad part of Orthodox Judaism?, Aviram Zino, Yediot Aharonot, May 29, 2006
===Australia===
====Gutnick-Feldman feud====
A protracted and complex public feud has been ongoing between two of Australia's most senior Chabad Rabbis Joseph Gutnick and his brother-in-law Pinchus Feldman. The matter has ended up in court on a number of occasions. Gutnik first brought the case to court in 2001.Gutnick family riven by $8m feud, Australasian Business Intelligence, October 25, 2001 At issue was a loan of A$10 million that Gutnick lent Feldman after his Yeshiva in 1994, Yeshivah Centre, Sydney to prop it up after it fell into serious financial difficulties with debts of over A$20 million.Quarrel splits Diamond Joe and Diamond Rose, Valerie Lawson, The Age, May 6 2003 
After the parties could not agree on a Beit Din in 2003, the case ended up in the New South Wales Supreme Court, with Gutnick suing Feldman for A$13.5 million. Feldman agreed that the Yeshiva did indeed owe Gutnick the money but argued that there had been an unwitnessed verbal agreement between the two that the interest (70% of the debt) would never be paid as Jewish law forbids taking interest from a charity.
But he maintained the interest was "an obligation never to be fulfilled" due to "a definite understanding" between the two men, and discussed in private conversations to which no one else had been a witness. Feldman lost the case and was deposed as president of the institutions.
The feud was reignited in March 2007 when Feldman received a bill for A$540,0000 in back-taxes. Under an agreement Feldman had agreed not to open up any competing institutions and the Yeshiva agreed to pay the back-taxes.Orthodox row over $500,000 tax debt, Joshua Levi, Australian Jewish News, March 30, 2007 However members of Feldman's family opened up a competing Yeshiva and so Yeshiva Centre refused to pay the taxes. In March 2007 Feldman was served with the full tax bill.
====Yossi Engel====
An investigation has been launched by South Australian Police into fake report cards ChabadAdelaide rabbi takes appeal to the Supreme Court, AJN, May 14, 2007 Rabbi Yossi Engel allegedly signed and government funding allegedly paid to a non-existent Adelaide Jewish school, the "Spirit of David Adelaide Hebrew". He took his synagogue to the Supreme Court of South Australia over a contract dispute which ruled that Rabbi Engel's contract with the AHC has ended.
shul pulls out of din Torah, Peter Kohn, AJN, November 18, 2007Aussie shul dispute, Dan Goldberg, JTA, 16/07/2007
Engel is also the subject of an ongoing fraud investigation into charges that he failed to conduct checks at plants that he authorized as Kosher.‘I’m here to stay’, says Rabbi Engel, Jason Frenkel, August 2, 2007
An attempt to solve the problem by involving the London Beit Din failed after its leader Chanoch Ehrentreu's demands for two first-class airfares plus a week in a top hotel, estimated to cost at least $20,000.August 23, 2007 World shorts, Jewish News Weekly
Chabad have since distanced themselves from Engel, removing some mentions of his name from their websites.
===Canada===
====Montreal Mikva dispute====
In 1982 a new mikva was completed in Montreal intended for use by women and for conversions from Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews.Community mikvah closes to people converting, David Lazarus, Canadian Jewiish News, March 21, 2007 The mikva was paid for by all quarters of the Jewish community. Rabbi Itche Meir Gurary, a local Chabad rabbi became director of the mikva. The orthodox community used other, exclusively orthodox mikvas to perform conversions, but pluralist stream were only able to use the community mikva. In March 2007 Gurary announced that the mikva would no longer be open for conversions. Reform and conservative Jews complained that this was merely a pretext to keep Conservative and Reform converts out. Conservative Rabbi Lionel Moses argued:
Gurary responded that the non-Orthodox had "overstayed their welcome. If I let them in, I would have to compromise on cleanliness." Adding that non-Orthodox congregations should construct their own Mikvas.
====Chabad Youth Organisation====
The death of the director of the Chabad Youth Organisation in Israel, the de facto hub of the vast majority of Chabad's activities in Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Madaintchek led to a power struggle between messianist and moderates over the control of the group. The messianists were led by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Wilshansky, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Chabad Yeshiva in Safed, while the moderates were led by Rabbi Yosef Aharonov. Wilshansky took Aharonov to court to prevent him making material changes CYO's foundation documents, signatory rights, directors, and membership, or making any other fundamental changes. The petitioners claim that this is an attempt to illegally take over the group and Chabad in Israel in general.Lawsuit exposes Chabad power struggle in Israel, Yitzhak Danon and Itamar Levin, Globes, 15 February 2006
Yosef George Segal was a Chabad employee who was accused more than a year ago by Young Chabad officials of embezzling $4.5 million from the organization.
Yosef Aharonov and three others are accused of embezzlement, tax evasion and money laundering. The arrests and a Nov. 13 raid on the community of Kfar Chabad follow an eight-month investigation by the Israel Tax Authority and the Central District Fraud Squad.
Arkady Gaydamak, an Israeli-Russian billionaire and a potential Jerusalem mayoral candidate, is accused of donating $256,000 to the money-laundering facilities allegedly run out of Kfar Chabad, according to Israel's Channel 10. He and other prominent businessmen are currently under investigation.Israeli Chabad leaders arrested, JTA, 11/26/2007Chabad heads suspected of major embezzlement, Mathew Wagner, Jerusalem Post, November 15, 2007Chabad leaders arrested for alleged theft, money-laundering, Nurit Roth and Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz, November 15, 2007Senior Chabad official suspected of evading millions in taxes, Eli Senyor, Yediot Aharonot, 11.14.07Chabad Leaders in Israel Arrested on Fraud Charges, Anthony Weiss, The Forward, Nov 21, 2007
==Control of 770 Eastern Parkway==
The synagogue is currently being run by a team of Gabbaim who are elected by members of the Crown Heights community every three years. For many years these people have been exclusively messianist and have set the tone for the building. In 2005, following the plaque disturbance (see below), the Gabbaim, who had incorporated themselves as "Congregation Lubavitch Inc." went to court challenging the right of Agudas Chasidei Chabad and Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch to control the building and the synagogue. In 2006 ACC and MLC won the case over ownership of the buildingWho controls Lubavitch headquarters?, David Berger, Jerusalem Post, April 22, 2006 and served CLI with an eviction notice, and in December 2007 the New York Supreme Court upheld the eviction. CLI is expected to appeal this decision.
===2004 disturbances===
On December 15, 2004 a disturbance erupted in Crown Heights between anti-messianists and messianists that led to nine arrests after the official movement attempted to install a plaque, noting that Schneerson was dead. Gil Schwartz explained the reasoning of the messianists: "He's alive - they are writing that the rebbe is dead!" Cuff 9 in rabbi row, The New York Daily News, December 16, 2004 Another messianist, Meyer Romano, the next day said: "The Rebbe is Superman and [Rabbi] Yehuda Krinsky is Lex Luthor, you understand?"Rough and Rebbe Brawler - I fight for Superman, Denise Buffa, New York Post, December 17, 2004
===2006 disturbances===
Further disturbances following the Annual emissaries conference in November 2006 led to a number of injuries and damage to the property according to the senior emissary Dovid Eliezire as quoted in the Jewish Week. He wrote an article on the events that was published in Chabad periodicals and online.The Tragedy at 770, Dovid Eliezrie
===2007 ruling===
On December 27, 2007 Judge Ira Harkavy of the New York State Supreme Court ruled that the Gabbaim did not have the right to control the synagogue and gave the Chabad organisations that own the building the right to evict the Gabbaim.Lubavitch Non-Messianists Win Court Battle, The Jewish Week, Debra Nussbaum Cohen, January 2, 2008 The Gabbaim expressed their intent to appeal, pending the transfer of a $500,000 bond and an undertaking to maintain the synagogue in the meantime. According to the Jewish Week, it remains unclear how the owners will exercise the rights the court has given them and some are predicting serious violence if any attempts are made to enforce the ruling. Edward Rudofsky, attorney for the community, warned of violence:
==Citations==
==Further reading==
*On the Spectrum of Messianic Belief in Contemporary Lubavitch Chassidism, David Berger
*Chabad and Messianism, Adam Dickter, Hadassah Magazine and Hadassah's apology for printing it.
*The Once and Future Messiah in Early Christianity and Chabad, Joel Marcus
*Dalfin, Chaim. Attack on Lubavitch: A Response, Jewish Enrichment Press, February 2002 (ISBN 1-880880-66-0)
*Yanover, Yori. Attack on Chabad Is Called Unredeemable The Forward
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Category:Hasidic Judaism in Israel
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