כ״א תמוז ה׳תשפ״ה | July 16, 2025
We Are Chassidim of the Rebbe, Not of Bibi
“A recent op-ed by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Gutnick drew strong reactions from many Lubavitchers. I feel compelled to address a painful issue: the widespread lack of awareness of the Rebbe’s clear stance on Shleimus HaAretz. It’s time to stop being chassidim of Bibi. We are chassidim of the Rebbe.”
A recent op-ed by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Gutnick drew strong reactions from many Lubavitchers. I feel compelled to address a painful issue: the widespread lack of awareness of the Rebbe’s clear stance on Shleimus HaAretz. It’s time to stop being chassidim of Bibi. We are chassidim of the Rebbe.
By Rabbi Shmuel I. Silverstein
Yesterday, an op-ed by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Gutnick was published on Anash.org. It drew strong – and unfortunately, disturbing – reactions from many Lubavitchers. I feel compelled to respond and address a painful but urgent issue: the widespread lack of awareness, even within our own community, of the Rebbe’s clear and uncompromising stance on Shleimus HaAretz.
To be honest, many of the responses to Rabbi Gutnick’s article were deeply troubling. Some were outright disrespectful – not just to a fellow Yid, but to a man who devoted enormous amounts of his life and resources to fulfilling the Rebbe’s inyonim, and was appointed specifically to be involved in these very issues. Even if you disagree with a viewpoint, there’s a basic standard of derech eretz that’s expected – especially when engaging with a man handpicked by the Rebbe to be involved and at times take a public stand in Israeli politics.
But beyond the disrespect lies something deeper and more disturbing: a widespread ignorance of what the Rebbe actually said. People are commenting with full confidence on the Rebbe’s position, yet clearly have never studied the Rebbe’s sichos on the topic, never listened to the hours upon hours he spoke bout the holiness of Eretz Yisrael, the danger of giving away even a piece, and the suicidal nature of any policy that supports autonomy or “confidence-building measures” with sworn enemies of the Jewish people.
To be quite clear, it’s completely understandable why many of us have found ourselves naturally drawn to support Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. He has withstood enormous pressure – arguably more than any Israeli leader in history. The United States, the Israeli media, legal systems, international bodies, his own cabinet, and sometimes even the IDF – he has stood against them all in defense of Israel’s survival. And the way the radical left has attempted to demonize him, criminalize his every move, and paint him as the sole source of Israel’s problems is disgraceful.
It’s no wonder that many good-hearted Lubavitchers, disgusted by the lies and slander from the left, feel compelled to side with Netanyahu as the unfairly maligned underdog, and are impressed by his tremendous courage and bravery.
But here’s where we have to stop and remind ourselves: We are not “chassidim of Bibi”. We are chassidim of the Rebbe.
And when you’re a chassid of the Rebbe, you measure your position on Eretz Yisrael not by how the media portrays someone, or whether they’re better than the alternative, but by one standard alone: what does the Rebbe say?
Unfortunately, many Lubavitchers today simply don’t know. They know the Rebbe cared about Eretz Yisrael, sure. But they haven’t sat down to listen to even one full farbrengen on the topic. They haven’t read the sichos from the 1970s and ’80s, when the Rebbe was practically begging for someone to listen – to understand the disaster of autonomy, the illusion of “Palestinian civil governance,” the insanity of giving up territory captured through Jewish blood.
And so, because they’re uninformed, they fall into the trap of seeing this as a “right vs. left” issue – where the left is obviously insane, and the right must therefore be correct.
But the Rebbe didn’t think in “right vs. left.” The Rebbe spoke with clear Torah clarity. And when necessary, he called out leaders on the right just as strongly as those on the left.
To illustrate this, let’s revisit several of the points Rabbi Gutnick made in his original piece. He was once a supporter of Netanyahu. So were many others. When Bibi defeated Shimon Peres – the architect of the Oslo Accords and a man who openly championed a Palestinian state – it seemed like a great victory. Here was a strong, security-minded leader who, we hoped, would bring sanity back to Israeli policy.
But the facts tell a different story.
Netanyahu gave away Chevron. Netanyahu voted in favor of the Gush Katif disengagement four times – twice in the Cabinet and twice in the Knesset – including the final vote that sealed its implementation. He supported the Wye Agreement. He gave the infamous Bar-Ilan speech, legitimizing the two-state solution. Under his leadership, Israel waged repeated wars in Gaza and Lebanon, each time failing to eliminate the terror threat – and then agreed to ceasefires that allowed the enemy to regroup and rearm.
He made the infamous Shalit deal, freeing over a thousand terrorists – including Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Simchas Torah massacre. He allowed Hamas to remain in power, strengthened them with Qatari money, and treated terror not as something to be eradicated, but something to be “managed.”
October 7th wasn’t just a fluke. It was the result of a policy of containment instead of elimination. And that policy was … Netanyahu’s.
The Rebbe cried that stopping mid-operation would only lead to more calamity. That negotiating with terrorists was suicide. That giving away land is pikuach nefesh. That autonomy would become the launching pad for war. That every inch surrendered would be paid for with Jewish lives.
And today, Bibi is still talking about Palestinian autonomy. Still refusing to commit to a full return to Gaza – despite all experts saying the war can be completed in weeks if they fully engage in battle, which has not been done since the beginning. Still willing to engage with terrorists – each time only raising the price of hostages and projecting weakness. Still clinging to Oslo. Still putting world opinion before the safety of our people.
This isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s not political. It’s life and death.
Yes – Netanyahu has shown incredible strength. He’s done many good, courageous, and historical things. But if he continues making catastrophic mistakes, if he is unable to make the hard decisions because of pressure, if his leadership continues to cost us Jewish lives – then it doesn’t matter how brave he is. He is wrong. And if he can’t stand the pressure, then he must resign.
The Rebbe said this about Menachem Begin, a hero of Jewish history. The Rebbe said it about Yitzchak Shamir, a man many viewed as a hardliner. Although the Rebbe himself helped bring him to power, the Rebbe said, if he couldn’t withstand the pressure – then the Rebbe (and he used his full name, MMS) would take down his government.
This is not about gratitude or hakaras hatov. We can be grateful for what someone has done, show them respect, and even love them as a person – while also recognizing they are no longer the right leader for the moment. That’s maturity. That’s responsibility.
So please, I implore you: Many already have questions, arguments, and comments on this. But before commenting with fiery certainty, educate yourself. Watch even a few of the beautifully produced short JEM videos on the subject. Read the sichos. There’s a beautiful book in English on this topic called “Make Peace” by Elisha Pearl (SIE). Ask someone who has learned through them. If you do that, I promise you – your entire view of the current situation will shift. You will stop seeing this as “Bibi vs. the left” and start seeing it as “the Rebbe’s Torah-guided view on how to bring lasting and enduring to Eretz Yisrael.”
We need leadership rooted in Torah, in truth, and in fear of Heaven. We need to stop pretending that the only alternative to leftist insanity is to blindly follow the right – even when the right is making fatal mistakes. We need to be brave enough to call for a government that aligns with Shleimus HaAretz. One that doesn’t just avoid concessions but actively undoes the mistakes of the past: the Hitnatkut, Oslo, the Wye Agreement, the recognition of Palestinian autonomy..
And if no such leader exists, then we trust in Hashem – not in flawed human beings.
It’s time to stop being chassidim of Bibi.
We are chassidim of the Rebbe.
Let’s start acting like it.
COMMENTS
The question that has to be asked is what will be gained by saying Bibi should have resigned aside from getting enemies? (Would it have helped is another question which is beside the point), JEM is doing a fabulous job of showcasing the Rebbe’s opinion in a professional manner to the point that even bibi publicized it, I’m sure he feels somewhat of a responsibility to it, and would have made worse choices without it. All we have the power to do is Teshuva and help others do that as the Rebbe told Rabbi Gutnicks father in yechidus. I think the Rebbe’s position was to be mekarev those that are already in a position of authority, so that they do better rather than speak against them and not achieve much or anything. There is no intention to disrespect anyone, just to have dialog, to bring up points that the writer may not have realized or paid attention to.
Who would be better? Why should he quit? He is good at withstanding pressure. Unfortunately, he had policies that led to October 7th, but at the same time, I don’t think anyone else thought differently. Why should he resign? He needs to be educated in the Rebbe’s Shita, not resign, and let someone else who does not necessarily know how to withstand pressure, etc. Yes, he is human and makes mistakes, but at the same time, he has done better than any other Prime Minister would have done. And not on the 8th of October 2023.
The Rebbe said this about Menachem Begin, a hero of Jewish history. The Rebbe said it about Yitzchak Shamir, a man many viewed as a hardliner. Although the Rebbe himself helped bring him to power, the Rebbe said, if he couldn’t withstand the pressure – then the Rebbe (and he used his full name, MMS) would take down his government.
Thanks for saying it straight out.
Too many people have become chassidim of Bibi/Zionism. Lubavitchers are not Zionists.
What is the definition of Zionism? If you believe that the Jewish people have a right to sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael, then according to all contemporary definitions, you are a Zionist. You may not be a secular Zionist. You may not agree with the secular Zionist establishment. You may not agree with some segments of Zionism regarding the historical meaning of the State of Israel. But you are a Zionist.
So, I’m Chabad and a Zionist — and so are you, and most people you know.
Nope. There’s a reason the Rebbe did not want the star of David to be used, not Hatikvah to be sung.
We do not identify with the state establishment, only with individuals. In that way, we are definitively not Zionist.
If we accept that title, we follow blindly, which we never should.
We follow the Torah and Moshe–the Rebbe, and nothing else.
Under no definition of Zionism are you not a Zionist because you don’t sing Hatikvah or because you don’t like the Star of David, or because you don’t see the State of Israel as part of the redemptive process. If you believe that the Jewish people have a right to sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael, then the label applies to you — whether you like it or not.
In contrast, Satmar actually believes that the Jewish people do not currently have that right, so they are not Zionists. But you and me — we are Lubavitch Zionists.
Sir, you say a lot of nicely worded ideas, but it doesn’t hold up under the slightest of scrutiny.
The rebbe rashab said that he hates the zionists, and our rebbe has said very clearly that his opinion has not shifted one bit from the rebbe rashabs…
So go figure.
The rebbe establishes what is Chabad.
And Zionist is definitely not it.
We actually do *not* believe that Jews have the right to sovereignty in Eretz Yisroel, until Moshiach comes. (Ever heard of the 3 Sh’vuos?)
In fact, the Zionist project was a big mistake. Think of all the people who were killed by Palestinian terrorists because of the Zionists (yes, the Rebbe said there were korbanos because of the Zionist “moshiach sheker”) and the surge of Anti-Semitism in Arab countries which was clearly the result of Zionism.
(Reshimos Devarim (Chitrik) has a story, that when the Rebbe Rashab heard about the Balfour Declaration, he said “they are asking for pogroms…”)
We *do* believe, though, that Jews have the undeniable right, given from Hashem, to live safely in Eretz Yisroel.
If that was possible under non-Jewish rule, than so be it.
Unfortunately, Zionist activity during the first half of the 20th century destroyed that possibility, so now, in order for the Jews there to be safe, the Zionist government must hold onto every inch of land they hold, as giving it away would be deadly.
(To be clear, I strongly disagree with Rabbi Gutnick’s article, and I do not think that makes me a Zionist, or a chossid of Bibi.)
I’ve absolutely learned the sugya of the Three Sh’vuos (Kesubos 111a) and know all the nuanced opinions regarding it. I could go on questioning your understanding and portrayal of the facts—for example, bringing in the fact that post-Holocaust, the Frierdiker Rebbe gave a bracha to Shazar to succeed in the UN vote. But I don’t need to give you any sources; all I need to do is show your internal inconsistency.
You say that “We do believe, though, that Jews have the undeniable right, given from Hashem, to live safely in Eretz Yisroel.” Well, one of the Three Sh’vuos is not to antagonize the nations. Yidden living safely in EY antagonize the nations, so without adding nuance to the point of the Three Sh’vuos, the logical conclusion of your point should be that Yidden do not currently have the God-given right to live in EY, and in fact, they should probably try to emigrate from it.
You say, “If that was possible under non-Jewish rule, then so be it,” meaning if that was not, then the Jewish people have a right to have sovereignty over the land. Surely I don’t need to bring a source for the fact that the Rebbe stated again and again that the Jewish people have a God-given right to own—given the context, meaning govern—the land.
So, Satmar does not believe that we necessarily have the right to live in Israel. They also say that currently we don’t have the God-given right to own the land. So they are not Zionists. Since—in your words—you stated that the Jewish people have the right to live safely in EY, and if that necessitates Jewish sovereignty, then they have a right to that too. That makes you, according to all current definitions of the term, a Zionist—a Lubavitch Zionist like me.
When the Frierdiker Rebbe gave a bracha to Shazar, that was after the Zionists created a situation in which the state of the Jews and (l’havdil) Arabs in Eretz Yisroel was such that it was either “us” or “them”, and obviously we support “us”.
You write that “Yidden living safely in EY antagonize the nations”. I’m not sure your source. In fact, Jews lived in relative peace with their Arab neighbors in EY in the years leading up to the creation of the state. Until the Zionists caused the Arabs to turn against the Jews in 5689 etc.
As for “antagonizing the nations”, Jews living safely anywhere does not count as “antagonizing”, even if Anti-Semites detest us. Jews creating a national movement though, against Hashem and His Torah, does.
As far as Satmar (etc.) not believing Jews have the right to live in EY – last I checked Neturei Karta is based in Yerushalayim, which is in – shocker! – Eretz Yisroel! Do they believe they have no right to live there? For some reason, I think not.
The only question is whether the shlosha sh’vuos require us to give the land back to the Goyim. According to us, it is prohibited for a few reasons, chief among the pikuach nefesh.
The Rebbe addressed the topic of the three shevuos many times, explaining their context, when they did/do apply etc. In many ways the Rebbe, if not explicitly, refuted most of the arguments made in Vayoel Moshe (by the Satmar Rebbe). A good write up of the topic can be found in Rabbi Wolpo’s Daas Torah. (If I recall correctly, the English book Make Peace also had a section on it.)
Either way, the discussion regarding Zionism is irrelevant to the topic at hand, as the Rebbe pointed out, the issues of Shleimus Ha’aratz are primarily due to Sakanas Nafashos and therefore must be decided under a strictly halachic framework. Similarly, considerations of kedushas haaretz, the issur of lo sechonem, etc. have nothing to do with Zionism, or the 3 shevuos. (All this was explained by the Rebbe many times, and just goes to prove the point of the article…)
He certainly has faults but the article did not need to call for his resignation on behalf of Chabad, especially when there’s no mention of a better alternative. It just fed the leftist fodder.
Additionally he’s the first leader in decades where the territory was expanded.
The Rebbe message could certainly have been given more positively
Nailed it.
So up until where you say that we have to educate ourselves on the rebbrs opinion – i agree,
Now reb yg was saying something else:
He he was apointed by the rebbe as a special emmisary regarding shleimus haaretz, did not speak up.
We didnt hear from him when they gave away gush katif, and we didnt here from him all along.
However now – when netanyahu is fighting a bitter war: on seven fronts!
He has with tremendous siata dishmaya
Defeated most of irams nuclear program,
Emaciated hizbollah, destroyed major parts of gaza,
And at the same time has to fight the left.
The left is adament to oust him – and the reason being: because he is an obstacle to their treacherous ideals. Tbey want to create a palestinian state, and he is not letting.
So now, after all this
When netanyahu is being fought in the most vicious ways – comes along mr
Gutnick and joins the naysayers.
He lied about netanyahus support of the disengagement,
And he is out to get him.
I dont see how this can be justified
I think Rabbi Gutnick needs to explain why is Bibi worse today than when Rabbi Gutnick supported him. If I remember correctly, Bibi never expressed any clear indication that he will not give back land etc. Nevertheless, Rabbi Gutnick supported him because he saw him as being better than anyone else. Therefore, what changed today that he is asking him to resign. If anything, he should not have been supported back then, but today perhaps he should be supported, only he should be encouraged to follow through all the way and to the right things only.
In todays political scene it is 99 percent that if bibi goes the alternative will be worse and perhaps way worse and therefor such talk is halachicaly pikuach nefesh
If we truly consider ourselves Chassidim of the Rebbe, then perhaps we should refrain from public commentary on political matters altogether.
For example, Rabbi Gutnick had no business leading the 1996 campaign on behalf of Bibi Netanyahu, which ultimately dragged the entire Lubavitch movement through the mud. His mandate from the Rebbe was to work discreetly behind the scenes to convey the Rebbe’s message—not to initiate public Lubavitch campaigns in support of any political party or figure.
Sadly, in 1996 he led Lubavitch astray, and he attempted to do so again in more recent elections by publicly backing Ayelet Shaked. Of course, he has every right to support whomever he chooses personally, but not to do so publicly or in the name of Lubavitch.
If you—whether writers or commenters—claim to be Chassidim of the Rebbe, then keep your political endorsements private. That’s what a true Chossid should do.
It’s not your shlichus to ask Bibi to resign.