Thursday, May 13, 2010

Does the mitzvah of redeeming a captive extend to a meshichist?

My good friend Hesh from FrumSatire sent me this picture he received from VID YID


It shows Sholom M. Rubashkin with a meshichist kippa peeking out from under his hat (example at right.)

The possibility that Rubashkin belongs to the Chabad sect which believes their long deceased Rebbe may yet return as the Messiah raises a bunch of interesting questions, many first asked by VID YID.

My tentative answers in brackets.
  1. Can we establish someone's status based on his choice of kippa? Does the fact that Rubashkin wore such a kippa mean that he is a meshichist? (NO)
  2. Assuming he is a meshichist are we still required to turn the world upside down on his behalf? Does the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim extend to a heretic of this kind? (DUNNO)
  3. And what about his meat? Would you eat meat that had been slaughtered at a plant owed by a J4J (NO) Is this different? (DUNNO)
All and all, I think this would make a great, and timely shiur for Shavuos night.

Rude post? HELL NO! (oops)

Search for more information about Chabad heresies at 4torah.com.

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