Ahead of the US presidential elections this Tuesday, Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov, chairman of Agudas Chasidei Chabad (Aguch), released a public letter on the elections and Chabad’s position on political parties and candidates.
By Anash.org reporter
Ahead of the US presidential elections this Tuesday, Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov, chairman of Agudas Chasidei Chabad (Aguch), released a public letter on the elections and Chabad’s position.
In his letter directed to Shluchim and Anash, Rabbi Shemtov begins with Chabad’s policy on voting. “It has always been the clear policy and direction of Chabad Lubavitch, based on the Rebbe’s instructions over many years, to encourage voting in US elections.”
“At the same time” the letter continues “the Rebbe was emphatic that Chabad Lubavitch does not affiliate with or endorse political parties or candidates, and to avoid the perception of partisanship while involved with public officials.”
Aguch also shared a letter written by the Rebbe regarding elections in Brooklyn:
“I received your (undated) letter, and was surprised to read in it about a purported stand of Lubavitch in connection with the forthcoming elections for Congress from the Sixteenth Congressional District.”
“It is well known that neither I personally, nor the Lubavitch movement, take a public stand in any election to any office, which is a policy of long standing. It therefore surprises me how you could have received any impression contrary to this established policy.”
That’s why there’s a “PAC.”
It is perfectly fine and in fact positive to engage with political figures from both sides of the aisle. The issue is to associate politically or publicly support them. The idea is to be beyond politics in a way that allows us to engage the political system for Judaism’s benefit about becoming part of it. (There were plenty of political figures who visited the rebbe before gimmel tamuz as well) and with the same clarity with which the rebbe didn’t want to associate politically, the rebbe did want engagement with political figures for various purposes of influence (either to influence them or their supporters or for publicity etc)
Many politicians visit the rebbe. Im sure if kamala or doug want to visit , rabbi shemtov will escort them