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Many readers of Yated Neeman in Eretz Yisrael were surprised to see a column dedicated to the mora d’asra of Kfar Chabad, HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi ZT”L, who was niftar on Wednesday 23 Teves.
While Yated has not been a fan of Chabad since the newspaper’s establishment, the article, which focuses on the history of the late rav and his education, mentions that he always maintained a good relationship with gedolei yisrael.
Mentioned in the article is a visit Rav Ashkenazi made to HaGaon HaRav Michel Lefkowitz ZT”L and how the Gadol Hador received him warmly.
That historic visit took place following the 2008 terrorist attack in the Mumbai Chabad House. As YWN had reported at the time, following the barbaric attack, a delegation of prominent Chabad rabbonim led by Rav Ashkenazi visited with gedolei yisrael shlita, and in addition to Rav Lefkowitz they met with HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita, HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz Shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Dov Povarsky Shlita. An additional meeting was held with Hagon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
It is always easier to write a flowery eulogy than deal with a live person. But one should know, that before the creation of Yeted, Chabad had good relations with the Litvish world.
It was only after certain people started to agitate against Chabad that the youth began to percieve them as a negative group. This was NOT the case of many of the great Torah minds.
My rebbe, a renowned Torah Litvishe sage had only good words for Chabad and told me when I spoke to him questioning if I should have a connection with chabad or break my existing connection that (and I quote) “Chabad are good people.”