[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman]
Aside from the issues discussed in last week’s article (“Cults and the War of the Jewish Magazines”) in how to differentiate between a genuine Torah chassidus and a cult leader, Rachmanah litzlan, other indications may exist as well.
1. A cult leader will also often show deep intelligence as well as strong familiarity with the holy texts of a religion, and will often implement his interpretations among his devotees. These innovations involve things that are not practiced at all by the normative followers of that religion.
2. There can also be a paranoia, where the cult leader will allege seemingly bizarre things, will create an infrastructure that will try to protect him, and will create rules that are somewhat odd.
3. The cult leader will not necessarily have peers or ties to others, living in a form of isolation where he will interact only with devotees. The leader will have a remarkable, almost unexplainable, ability to charm others.
When speaking with former members of Lev Tahor who have left the group, and with family members of Lev Tahor devotees, all of the above and more have been alleged. To be fair, supporters of the group have countered that this is all lashon ha’ra and that they are lying. While this could be true, it is very unlikely that those who have left the group can be so sophisticated in their descriptions. One of the best books on the subject was written by Madeleine Landau Tobias, called Captive Hearts, Captive Minds. These people hardly seem the type to obtain and read such a book, and yet there is an extraordinary correlation between what they allege and what is found in the book.
Let us examine each of the points made above.
• The former devotees have described Lev Tahor’s leader as a highly intelligent man. Indeed, he obviously impressed even the editor of Ami magazine, Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter. One of the innovations of Lev Tahor is to try to reach the “ideal” of early marriages. Ignoring the Birchei Yoseph’s and the Tzitz Eliezer’s understanding of the Shulchan Aruch’s first chapter of Even HaEzer, the leader of Lev Tahor is attempting to re-implement early marriage. The Birchei Yoseph writes that in our times it should not be done, and the Tzitz Eliezer contrasts it with what the Shulchan Aruch writes elsewhere regarding Torah study and states that this was never the intention in the first place. The Canadian authorities have found this in practice among members of Lev Tahor, and there are numerous other alleged cases of it, despite denials of it from Lev Tahor. Other innovations include the wearing of burka-like clothing, which is something that has never been done among Torah-observant peoples.
• Former member have alleged that the leader “claimed to have killed the pope.” They have also stated that the leader has created an infrastructure where devotees spy upon each other. Some claim that he has told devotees that he would urge their family and spouses to leave them unless they sign documents that they will never leave the group or reveal its secrets. There are further claims that the leader of Lev Tahor has attacked the conditions in the foster homes where the Canadian authorities have placed 13 children (now 12). These are conditions of which he has no knowledge. It is also alleged that he made remarks about how the president of the United States and the prime minister of Canada have amassed an arsenal with which to attack Lev Tahor. Once again, these are all allegations and it could very well be that they have been made up or warped by those who have been making them.
• The leader of Lev Tahor has charmed the women in his group to follow his views on clothing. He has created a following of close to 40 families. He has even, apparently, charmed Rabbi Frankfurter, a talmid chacham and editor of a leading magazine.
Rabbeinu Bachya in his commentary on Vayikra (4:22) discusses the inevitability of regular leaders sinning (to say nothing of people that apparently have a type of personality disorder). The verse states, “Asher nasi yecheta—when a leader will sin.” Rabbeinu Bachya writes, “It does not state ‘If a leader will sin’; rather, it states, ‘When a leader will sin’—the matter is one of certainty. The reason is that the leader’s heart is filled with conceit and haughtiness.” Rabbeinu Bachya goes on to explain that the Torah (Devarim 17:20) provides a counterbalance for the haughtiness of a king: he must carry a sefer Torah with him at all times so that his heart does not rise above his brethren.
The nesi’im were also provided with a counterbalance. They were instructed to bring the precious Avnei Shoham stones as a gift (Sh’mos 22:27). These precious stones were the same type that were found on the breastplate of Aharon HaKohein—the stones that were designed to achieve atonement. They thus had a humility-inducing effect to them, according to Rabbeinu Bachya. (The Netziv also interpreted the verse “Asher nasi yecheta” in the same manner—that the Torah is predicting the certainty of the leader stumbling.)
In our times, matters are slightly different. We have neither the directive for our leaders to carry with them a sefer Torah, nor a directive to bring the humility-inducing Avnei Shoham stones. What, then, will provide the necessary counterbalance to the inevitability of haughtiness and sin?
True, there are halachos about initially introducing a student who has personality issues into Torah study, but by and large, we as a Torah society need to take greater steps to ensure that we do not foster the growth of such movements within Yiddishkeit.
Excessive piety in not acting against a threat to Klal Yisrael can be wrong and is often destructive. The Gemara (Gittin 56a) concludes that the Beis HaMikdash itself was destroyed because of excessive piety in how the Sages dealt with Bar Kamtza.[1]
The Mesilas Yesharim (Chapter 20, “Harei Lecha”) concludes that in regard to these issues, one cannot blindly adhere to one side. Rather, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto states, “All factors must be weighed carefully on both sides as far as a person can determine, to see which is the proper way to act—the doing or the refraining from doing.”
It has been reported that at least one of the Chassidic Rebbes in New York has described the movement as a modern-day Shabtai Tzvi movement.
The author can be reached at [email protected].
NOTES:
1. Initially, some rabbis [correctly] thought to allow a dispensation to bring an imperfect sacrifice because of the serious circumstances. The excessive piety of Rabbi Zecharya ben Avkulos prevented that, because he feared that people would erroneously conclude that one is permitted to bring imperfect sacrifices. It was next [correctly suggested] that Bar Kamtza be killed to prevent his further traitorous and destructive actions. Rabbi Zecharya ben Avkulos prevented it, saying that people would think that the punishment for one who damages a sacrifice is death. Rabbi Yochanan concluded that Rabbi Zecharya’s excessive piety caused the destruction of the Temple, the burning of the Heichal, and our exile.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
17 Responses
It’s amazing to me that this has to be a discussion. They are clearly a wacky cult in every aspect.
Not only is that group a cult, but it also incorporates a strong Islamic influence. Just as reforms in Jewish practice in Europe were often borrowed form the protestants, so some communities like that of El-Baranas are heavily influenced by fanatical Moslem preachers and the Wahabi clothing code.
they are not more cult, than many many zionist based cheridim (settlers), the crux of the matter here is without doubt, yes they are cultish But they are also vehemently anti: zionist.
Before he is cynical about AMI,why doesnt he speak to lev tahor himself.His whole article is 2nd hand knowledge.
Am glad he took on Ami. I am wondering if the style and approach of modern day journalism has corrupted us as well.
the distinctions made by Rabbi Hoffman are pretty superficial. The truth is, it should not matter. when it comes to government intervention, cults should not be prosecuted by the government solely on the grounds of being a cult. when it comes to religion, we follow our mesorah and rabbis in determining what to accept and what to not accept. there is no independent reason for an individual to be able to tell the difference between a cult and a chassidis. as a civil american i accept lev tahor and belz (or satmar or bobov)’s rights to behave the way they want and be free of intervention. as a yid i reject both with equal “force.”
5. His article is based on first hand knowledge as reported in the Mishpacha, who have already spoken to people from LT.
EXCESSIVE PIETY is out of the box for Torah observances and results in archaic, cultist behavior.
I think Hoffman is 100% correct. The Rabbis is very charismatic and thats how he got all his followers. i know someone that was divorced and then married a women from Lev Tahor. The followers all have a backround story to them. The kids are living in fear. I dont understand how people could believe him He’s exactly like Shabsai Tzvei.
I dont understand how Ami could right such an article the world knows good and well that its a bad cult!
Someone has to do something about it.
Wow, you guys where able to find 5 or 6 sentences that a man said in his entire life to slander him with.
He should respond here on YWN(well actually he shouldn’t but it would be interesting).
While I certainly don’t wish to be part of their community and live by their lifestyle, I can honestly say that the people are the warmest friendliest, nicest you have ever met and the children certainly do not live in fear (except maybe now that they have been traumatized by child protection, they may be fearful of being taken away from their parents). I know first hand the people as I have visited them numerous times in Quebec, and I think it is a terrible shame their lives were shattered there. I always enjoyed my visits there and found it to be a very peaceful community. Before everyone jumps to any conclusions it is better not to believe everything you hear about others second hand. That’s why loshon harah is so dangerous. It harms everyone.
cg, mishpacha does not constitute first hand.
Interesting I don’t believe this is from Rabbi Yair. If the Rabbi would state that he has seen it first hand, I’d accept this whole article. However, he doesn’t even remotely state that he has seen it nor that he has spoken to anybody that has seen it himself. Being that this is the case, We must accept the things which are facts, while not even hear the biased opinions of mishpacha (nor the rabbi in this case). In halacha, we need a beis din to make someone pasul which has heard from 2 halacha witnesses, and have cross examined the witnesses according to halacha. I was trying to read between the lines as well if the rabbi is attempting to state this and did not find it. The fact that they go dressed (factually) in this manner (obviously not close to the rabbis perspective, especially being that he’s litvish) does not constitute any child abuse. (even if I cannot comprehend their dress code.) Davening for hrs, is in no way child abuse or adult abuse. Try concentrating on the words of our gorgeous tefillos and you won’t be able to finish before 2 hrs even. Did you ever try Birchat yotzer ohr? Birchat hatorah? aleinu? Ma tovu? Shmonah esrey? Ahava rabba? AHHHH it’s soo nice. you can’t possibly concentrate on the meaning of every word even with only the simple translation without the kavunat haari!
Ami on the other hand might’ve been impressed and won over by this Rabbi Helbranz. I prefer believing somebody who has been there which might’ve been influenced than somebody who has only heard some gossip or even worse heaven forbid motzee shem ra.
Hope some beit din (any) would listen to eidut of people that have been there (visiting, living there, as well as ex members) and give us their psak. We should never be sooo fast to judge another yid especially when the issue is tearing away kids from their loving parents (based on ami as well as commentator basmelech, first hand info). Hashem should please guide us through this, because the stakes are sooo high.
The power of mind control is one of the key components of what differentiates Lev Tahor from other Chassidic sects. Former members, those involved in rescuing members from there and therapists who deprogrammed adults and children, constantly raise this issue. In Lev Tahor, children are raised with no sense of self and adults have, for all intents and purposes, relinquished their ability to think and act for themselves, all in order to please their leader. Yes, much is dependent on a charismatic, brilliant leader who, one former Lev Tahor member told me, is intellectually twenty steps ahead of everyone he speaks with. We all reveal ourselves in multiple ways, often subconsciously. Their leader can instantaneously respond to those signals. He feeds on our biases, prejudices and egos. Even the most emotionally and psychologically secure can fall victim to this; l’havdi, those who come from dysfunctional homes and are psychologically weak. It often takes professional training to recognize the manipulations.
But, it takes more than charismatic leadership to make this happen. It takes a structure geared towards weakening the psyche. Adults there are often overworked, undernourished and sleep-deprived. The leader often begins his discourses late at night and continues into the early hours and, I was told, nobody is allowed to leave. Then there is the spying. Those who are privy to very personal and private information, harbor much power.
Lev Tahor argued that it moved to Chatham because the Ontario educational requirements are not as stringent there as in Quebec. Why, then, is it not staying put rather than fleeing to Guatemala? After all, Chatham also houses a very large Mormon community that adheres to its own educational system. If they are, in fact, treating their children well, why fear Ontario Youth Protection? Judge Templeton, by ruling not to send the children back to Quebec, showed that the Ontario justice system is not prejudiced against them, but, rather, favors the psychological well-being of the children.The conditions in Guatemala, we are told, are extremely primitive and Lev Tahor has isolated itself there even more than they did in Ste. Agathe or Chatham. Its children will be raised absolutely and completely under the thumb of its leader, without the intellectual or emotional wherewithal to challenge anything they are taught, or the ability to physically leave.
There are those who can personally testify to what is happening in Lev Tahor. I hope they will come forward to help save these children. The Canadian authorities cannot do this without their help. Once all of Lev Tahor is in Guatemala, it will be too late.
“Other innovations include the wearing of burka-like clothing, which is something that has never been done among Torah-observant peoples.”
This is incorrect. The Mishna In Shabbos deals with Reulos and Perupos which is the arabic levush worn in its day even by torah observant Jews (its dealing with Hotzaah). That being said, I am terribly uncomfortable with any ultra adherence to Torah and Mitzvos that Rebbitzin Kanievsky A”H (merely as an example) and others like her, the wives of those Torah leaders from whose words we exist, didnt engage in. I imagine that its tantamount to the Medrash criticising Adam and Chava for adding on to the commandment of Hashem, and Shaul Being a Tzaddik Harbei” in his refusal to kill amalek in its entirety.
“Excessive piety in not acting against a threat to Klal Yisrael can be wrong and is often destructive. The Gemara (Gittin 56a) concludes that the Beis HaMikdash itself was destroyed because of excessive piety in how the Sages dealt with Bar Kamtza. (and see note 1)”
Although the mesilas Yisharim does explain the gemarah in this fashion, the poshut pshat is according to Rashi, on “Anivus” is “excessive forbearance” and according to others on excessive humility, as Rav Zecharya considered himself a minor member of the Beit Din and paskened first thereby making it difficult for others to contradict.
This group is cultish simply because he isolates them- if he was not a cult, he would live in a jewish community with other Jews. The kids got sick and got rashes because he made them never take off their socks- even to sleep, which is absurd because your blanket covers your feet, and besides, feet are not Ervah. None of bnei Yisroel wore socks in the midbar, nor did they wear socks or stockings to the Bet hamikdash.
A lot of the clothes of current chasidim are actually clothes adapted from the communities they lived in Poland and Russia. The Burqa of this cult is an adaptation of Arab dress.
A cultish relatively recent chumrah that has taken hold of many chasidic sects is the forcing of newly married women to SHAVE THEIR HEADS, this is a shandeh, a DISGRACE OF THE RABBIS. This is zealotry and is an abomination. Nowhere in Torah does it state that Jewish Women should mutilate their bodies for tzniut. Shaving a woman’s head is mutilation, it is ugly and women are not supposed to be ugly to their husbands, and shaving a woman’s head is manly like a man, and women are not supposed to dress like men or look like men. Shaving a woman’s head is what Nazis did to women to dehumanized them. Why should a young bride be dehumanized and treated like a concentration camp victim by the lead Rabbi? How dare a lead Rabbi tell the married women to shave their heads bald like a man to look so ugly and unfeminine? How dare he step into the privacy of a husband and wife to ruin a young wife and make her ugly?? The Halacha is to cover ones hair in public. There is no Halacha to cover ones hair in front of her husband, and especially not to shave it all off. In fact, if you shave it off, why should you cover your head? You might as well walk around bald, because women do not have to wear a yarmulke, or head covering, they are commanded to cover their hair, so if they have no hair, they need not cover their heads. What will the next chum rah be- to rip off women’s fingernails, and shave their eyebrows and pull out their eyelashes? I saw a young married chasidish guy flirting with some girls, and when he was asked why he said because his wife shaves her head and so he is attracted to other young women. This chumrah is damaging marriages, Damaging the bond between husband and wife. It should be labeled as heresy and distortion of Torah. Would our sages have ever dreamed that recent rabbis would be telling women to shave their heads???
To leahle – now you are criticizing many Chassidic groups which expect the women to shave their hair after marriage.If you aren’t one of them who are you to complain about it being mutilation? It has nothing to do with only Lev Tahor and nothing to do with you so mind your own business.
Leahle! Who are you to criticize the gedolei hadar of these times? Your questioning the holiest people of our generation. Like you could think that your holier then them.
This is the biggest shame of a person to talk like that!!!!!
you should watch before you speak! I’m like totally awed!!!
The Rabbis know good and well what they are doing.!! Not that my community shaves but i respect it!