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It should be made clear that the Rebbe did not view himself as Moshiach and he told the Chabadniks in a 1984 sermon that anyone who views him as the Moshiach are alienating many Jews from the teaching of the Ba’al Shem Tov:
“This is the Rebbe’s view, articulated in a memorable 1984 sermon. When some of his followers began to sing a song in his presence identifying him as the Messiah, he interrupted them and said: I would like to speak about something negative that requires fixing…There are some overzealous Chabdniks who imagine that they are the ones who know what needs to be done, and how it should be done. They are unmoved when those around them sometimes attempt to dissuade them from something negative. They think to themselves: Who are these people to tell me what to do? Not one of them is shpitz Chabad!
What i am referring to is those who, as a result of their statements, verbal and printed, and their songs, have alienated many Jews from the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov, the study and approach of Chasidut. In fact, there are Jews who had begun to study Chasidut and as a result of these individuals’ activities, they have stopped doing so. Not only are they failing to bring Jews closer, they are alienating those who have already begun to come close…
Let it therefore be known that anyone who continues with such activities, fights a war against Chabad Chasidut, against the Rebbe [Rayatz], against the Ba’al Shem Tov, and against Mashiach himself, who wants to come but is waiting for the further dissemination of Chasidut. These are people, on the other hand, are distancing Jews from studying Chasidut, G-d forbid.
May G-d spare me from having to repeat this directive again.
The sermon made a very strong impression and effectively silenced any attempts to publicly identify the Rebbe as a potential Mashiach for several years.” ~ Turning Judaism Outward, a biography of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe (Chaim Miller, author of Kol Menachem Chumash-Gutnick Edition) Page 404 to 405I don’t know if what I am telling all of you in this forum, whether or not it is considered lashon hara, but out of necessity I feel it important to share.
Moshiakists within Lubavitch have brought about a stigma against them from other yidden who are not Lubavitchers. Although, not all Lubavitchers are Moshiakists. And, not all Chabad houses view the Rebbe as the Moshiach, either.
When the Rebbe was niftar, there was a family who wished to take over the helm and assume leadership (the Rebbe had no children), which caused a mochloikas. The rabbis decided to prevent a division and not appoint anyone to take over leadership.
I find that there is a wide range of feelings toward Lubavitch. From my experience, most will not consider their minyanim kosher. Reason being, many Chabad houses permit any man, Jew by birth, to daven with them and be counted part of the minyan and/or even if they do not keep Shabbos or other mitzvot (family purity, etc.). Some Chabad houses do not even have ten kosher yidden to make up the minyanim. In places where there are not enough men to make a minyan, the rabbis will call men he knows in the community to come to shul to make up the minyan (irregardless of whether or not they are married to goyim, do not keep Shabbos, etc.).
Since you cannot tell which Chabad house views R. Schneerson as the Moshiach, it is not advisable to daven at any Chabad house (unless you actually verify the rabbi is not a Moshiakist).
The Moshiakists are actively recruiting people to sign their name on documents that state their “declaration” that they believe R. M. M. Schneerson to be the Moshiach. I have seen it.
By the way, Chabadniks, their minhag is to not sleep in the sukkah.