Book review: The Messiah of Brooklyn

"The Messiah Of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidism Past and Present" by M. Avrum Ehrlich

Before I even write one paragraph about this book let's just say that it was worth to buy the book for the two pages on "The Negative Effects of Fundraising". Ehrlich highlights the key dilemma that threatens to undermine spiritual fabric not only of Chabad but by virtue of it's influences, the very fabric of Judaism itself. Here are the two pages in PDF. What else is there to add?

Target Audience: As was reading the book I wondered, who was he writing for? Particularly in light of the author starting from Baal Shem Tov. Ehrlich jets through the centuries of events with such speed that it remains of questionable informative value for a veteran and novice alike. For me the interest in the subject of the book has grown as I progressed in the chapters. The concluding chapters are the most informative and thought provoking. Perhaps this book is an Academic exercise confined within it's style? As an amateur enthusiast I would have like to see a more narrow focus.

Book style and structure: Avrum Ehrlich has attempted to step back from it�s subject matter and think thought the life of the Rebbe in historical, political, spiritual and economic contexts. His style is much different from that of Shaul Shimon Deutsch. Instead of archival reproduction of different sources and documents to form the narrative in The Messiah of Brooklyn we find succinct references that serve only as a springboard to the author�s broad ideas. Understandably it is tremendously difficult to find the sources. Yet I was often disappointed by the unspecific footnotes. For example Avrum Ehrlich writes:

Habad emissaries in countries with few Jews have often taken advantage of the reputation of Jews as powerful, wealthy, and influential to further their outreach work. There are stories told in Habad of emissaries to Asian and South American countries who were able to cultivate high-profile business leaders and politicians because of the belief that the Habad movement was an influential Jewish lobby with good business connections.

The statement is undoubtedly true but when I looked into the footnotes I found this: "See Beis Moshiah�"

As a general observation it seems that Ehrlich interprets many of the events as part of grand scheme of a managerial genius while some of the items he describes seem more random and accidental to this reader. I also think that addressing monarchic aspects of Lubavitch might have answered many of the peculiarities of the Rebbe�s management style. Ehrlich dedicated number of pages to the devaluation of rabbinical ordination (Smicha) in Lubavitch per Rebbe�s instructions but little is written about deterioration of the Yeshiva system itself.

Towards the end of the book there is fascinating discussion about the events surrounding Rebbe�s first and second wills and the role of Y. Krinsky in executing of the wills, AGUH and the surrounding controversy. This almost warrants a separate post, I have some interesting thoughts on the subject and I hope to digitize them as time permits.

Avrum Ehrlich observation about our medium is spot on. He writes:

At present the Internet is one of the main forums for discussion of Schneerson the significance of his passing, utilized by messianist, non-messianist, and anti-messianist Hasidism. There is even a Web site for ex-Habad Hasidim, who have left movement for various reasons but nevertheless wish to stay in touch with one other and offer mutual support. Thus, despite geographical separation and lack of wide numerical support, these groups are able to survive and cohere across the world; the debates in which they engage may well prove determine the future direction of Habad in the post-Schneerson era.

The book is an important marker about the life of the Rebbe and Lubavitch. Missing from the book is even a glimpse of Avrum Ehrlich�s personal interactions with his subject but it might be fitting to conclude with Ehrlich�s own dedication to his parents in the Introduction to the book:

Perhaps it is their recognition that nothing short of ideas sustains the world, and without the ephemeral, a family or indeed a civilization may, God forbid, become fallow. Perhaps it is their own desire to ensure that in this age of conformism, at least a few might be permitted to thrash about in un-navigated territory and ponder those things most dare not consider, and that it is in this sanctuary that life becomes most interesting. It is to them that this book is dedicated.

Avrum, thank you for your thoughts and work!