(Continued from last week.)

It sounds as if you received immediate positive results from every rav that you visited?

Things haven’t quite worked out that way. I have met with many rabbanim, and I have been privileged to receive responses across the ideological spectrum. Some agreed to sign immediately, some signed only after a lengthy debate, others didn’t sign at all.

So, in effect, the work did not always bear fruit?

In my opinion, this is not a correct assessment. First of all, there were many rabbanim that agreed to sign, but not on an official p’sak din, rather in other forms. For example, one rav told me that he wants to sign together with the entire House of Israel on a general form of acceptance of the Rebbe’s sovereignty. There were rabbanim that asked us to leave the p’sak with them so they could sign it privately, without publicity. Some of them even explained why they are afraid to have their signatures publicized. There was a well known rebbe who signed but did not agree to have his signature appear publicly on the p’sak. There were also several rabbanim from Williamsburg who signed, but asked for the page to be left with them. Naturally, these signatures bear considerable importance even without their publicity, since the main point of the campaign is the spiritual influence that comes from such a rabbinical decision.

The campaign results in three levels of effect. First, the signatures cause the Heavenly Court to accept the p’sak din. Secondly, there is the essential fact that every rav that adds his signature to the p’sak din adds special vitality and enthusiasm to the subject of Moshiach. Third, great importance is attributed to every new signature, not just by people in general, but by other rabbanim, as well.

For example, one of the rabbanim whose signature appears on the p’sak din is HaRav Shaul Katzin, a prominent rabbi among the Syrian Jewish community in the United States. This rav visited the Rebbe together with HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu, and was well aware of the work of the Rebbe MH”M. Thus, there was no need for lengthy debate with him. In the merit of his influence, many other rabbanim also signed.

I remember when I visited with another rabbi in the Syrian Jewish community. When he saw that Rabbi Katzin had signed the p’sak din, this immediately changed his outlook. An hour later, he also signed...

I can tell you that even among the rabbanim themselves, there is revealed benefit. I know about a number of rabbanim who were most hesitant about whether to sign the p’sak or not. Yet, once they did sign, there received prestigious appointments shortly thereafter.

It is important to note here that even if the rav does not sign, our visit with him carries great importance. We all know that the subject of the Rebbe’s sovereignty as Melech HaMoshiach is a central issue, not just in Chabad circles. Many people come to their admurim and rabbanim with questions on this issue – and they want answers.

Many of these rabbanim have a strong connection with Lubavitch and the Rebbe. However, they are most unfamiliar with this issue. After our visit with them, they know much more. They learn the halachic sources, including the Rebbe’s sichos on the subject, and this changes their entire approach to the matter. Even if they are reluctant to sign the p’sak for their own personal reasons, the fact that they have warmed up to the issue is very significant. They express their opinion in internal forums – private conversations, tishim, etc. – and their supportive position is most beneficial.

One of the T’mimim from Ramat Aviv framed the p’sak din, and presented it as a gift to the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Moshe Katzav. The president accepted the p’sak and mentioned that HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu was supposed to be at the meeting, and that he will base his decision on how to relate to the whole matter according to what HaRav Eliyahu says. By Divine providence, HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu spoke at that meeting about Chabad with words of tremendous praise for all their wonderful activities. Naturally, this proved to be beneficial, and thus, we must strive in every way possible that people should speak in such a manner, even in private forums when we are not present.

I met once with a prominent rebbe from Yerushalayim, who had great respect for the Rebbe MH”M and his sichos. However, he heard that there are “different interpretations” of the sichos of ‎5751-5752‏. We suggested that he check things out for himself, and we brought the seifer “Z’man HaGeula,” which contains numerous sichos from ‎5751-5752‏, for that very purpose. When we spoke with him the following year, he stated that there is no other way to interpret the sichos.

During our conversation with him, he heard that the Pinsk-Karliner Rebbe had signed the p’sak din, and he immediately expressed his wonderment that he had not known this before. He said that in his list of signatories on the p’sak din, the Pinsk-Karliner Rebbe’s name does not appear. I was very satisfied from this meeting, in spite of the fact that this rebbe did not sign.

Why?

First of all, I was simply delighted to hear how rabbanim are following events in connection with new signatures on the p’sak din. Secondly, this rebbe now knows that the Rebbe clearly said that he is Moshiach, and this knowledge will be expressed in actual deed in a variety of ways.

This is not an isolated incident. Once I visited a certain rav and showed him the long list of signatures to his utter disbelief. “Are there actual sources to prove that the Rebbe is Moshiach today, after Gimmel Tammuz?” he asked quietly. I showed him a litany of sources, including the Yotzer on Parshas HaChodesh, “And he will conceal himself from them, return, and reveal himself,” and Tractate Sanhedrin. The rav was most impressed. While he didn’t sign for personal reasons, his position changed completely, and this is also an important development.

Any position of this type carries great significance. For example, when the Chief Rabbi of Tzfas, HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu, was asked if the Rebbe was Melech HaMoshiach, he responded that he is a fitting candidate, halevai, etc. Not long ago, a Chabad rav and a well known rebbe from Yerushalayim who had recently been approached in connection with the campaign for Kabbalas HaMalchus were together in a vacation city in Switzerland. The two chatted, and before departing, the Chabad rav said, “May we merit the coming of Moshiach.” This rebbe replied, “You’re a Lubavitcher, aren’t you? Then he’s already here...”

Of course, this doesn’t always happen. We once sent a delegation of representatives to a very prominent rebbe, who said that he didn’t understand why the Rebbe is making so much tumult about the coming of Moshiach. We presented him with portions of the more relevant sichos on this point, and I believe that it had some positive effect. There are numerous examples of this type.

There have also been some very encouraging instances. I once visited HaRav Yoel Suissa, who complained why we are only coming to him now.

“I WON’T SIGN, BUT I WANT TO STUDY THE MATTER FURTHER!”

One of the more active participants in the p’sak din signature campaign is HaRav Uri Lipsh, head of the evening chassidus kollel in B’nei Brak, who frequently accompanies his brother on visits to leading rabbinical figures. In preparing this article, we spoke with him as well, and asked him about his feelings on these visits:

When you approach a non-Lubavitcher rabbi is there some concern that he will not agree to sign?

Obviously, prior to every meeting, there is a certain degree of tension. However, once the meeting begins, we get a clear indication as to which direction the wind is blowing. If the rav starts asking relevant questions, he receives appropriate answers. Thus, we can say with virtual certainty that the end results will be positive, even though not every rav necessarily signs the p’sak.

I recall that once we went to a certain dayan who represents a large community in the hope that he would agree to sign. We waited for him near his home at the time that he was due to return. When he arrived, we asked to come in. (It is important to note that we never agree to speak by the door. We always ask to come in and speak on the matter in an honorable and respectful manner, a method that has proven most effective.)

This dayan said that he is extremely pressed for time, however he agreed to speak with us for a few minutes. The conversation eventually lasted for three-quarters of an hour.

At the start of the discussion, the dayan immediately emphasized that regardless of what we say he will not sign, as it would be totally unrealistic for a person who holds such an official position to do so. Nevertheless, he said that he was interesting in hearing something on the subject. He asked pertinent questions, and was pleased with the answers he received. Yet, as he mentioned at the outset, he did not agree to sign. He concluded the conversation by stating that he has been involved in rabbinical court decisions for forty years, many of which have been most difficult and complicated. However, he is not an expert on this subject, and he would be happy to hear more about it. Clearly, he was influenced to some extent by our presentation – a very positive development. In fact, on another occasion shortly thereafter, we met at a certain function, where he was scheduled to speak after me. As he began his speech, he told the audience that what he was about to say was nothing compared to what they had just heard. Those in attendance could feel his deep appreciation for the Rebbe, and that is no small achievement.

On the other hand, there are cases where side matters interfere with the main issue. Once we visited with a certain rebbe, who showed much enthusiasm for the subject, to the point that he even began to suggest the names of other rebbes for us to approach on the matter. Suddenly, a member of the household realized what we were discussing, and started to express his disproval. He was soon joined by someone else, and together they made a tremendous raucous. They demanded that we leave the house immediately.

I tried my best to calm them down, while my brother continued speaking with the rebbe, who smiled and said, “When I was younger, I had much more strength to fight over such things, but today I’m simply not willing to fight...”

There is definitely nothing to fear. No rav ever suggested that what we said was against halacha, despite the fact, as I mentioned previously, that not all of them agreed to sign.

For example, I remember our visit to HaRav Shmuel Unsdorfer, who spoke with us with great warmth. He said that prior to Gimmel Tammuz, he was certain that the Rebbe is Moshiach. However, today, after Gimmel Tammuz, where are the sources for suggesting such a thing? I gave over the Maharsha on Tractate Sanhedrin (38b), which explains that the kings of the House of Dovid are renewed, as is the moon. Just as prior to the rebirth of the moon, there must be an absolute state of concealment, and we make Birchas HaChodesh only after its renewal, similarly we find in connection with the kingdom of the House of Dovid.

Rabbi Unsdorfer listened, and then said that according to Shulchan Aruch, he can’t take my word for it, and he must see the sources for himself... He opened the Gemara and learned the sugya for close to half an hour. Afterwards, he lifted his head with a smile and said, “How did you come across this?”

He added that when he comes to the Yud-Alef Nissan farbrengens in Kfar Chabad he does so in order to strengthen the proclamation of “Yechi Adoneinu.” He noted further that he knows that the Sanzer Rebbe also supported this position. Still, he didn’t agree to sign, explaining that he has stopped signing declarations of all types for ten to fifteen years.

I suggested that he take the p’sak din and sign it privately. He took the p’sak, and although he didn’t sign, his words served as a tremendous source of strength for us.

WE MUST CHECK THE SOURCES, AND BE EXPERT IN THEM

What material should a person know in order to approach a rav and ask him to sign the p’sak?

HaRav Yitzchak Lipsh: It can be said without exaggeration that on the subject of Moshiach and the Redemption, a simple Lubavitcher yeshiva bachur usually knows more than most big rabbanim. Naturally, a person should acquaint himself properly with all the sources in order to give over the subject matter in an accurate fashion, especially those portions that explain how the Rebbe can be Moshiach after Gimmel Tammuz, e.g., Tractate Sanhedrin and the aforementioned quote from the Yotzer on Parshas HaChodesh, “And he will conceal himself from them, return, and reveal himself,” which according to Tosafos, was written by Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

I understand that you also deal with publicizing the p’sak din?

We haven’t actually dealt with this on a national scale yet, but this is also on the horizon. I am aware of numerous shuls that have hung the p’sak din in a prominent place, which has considerable influence on their respective membership.

You haven’t mentioned the opposition you’ve encountered...

There are those who know about the p’sak din due to all the negative propaganda that has been publicized against it.

There’s a young man with a Litvisher background, who studied for a period of time in Chabad. It turns out that his interest in Chabad has not diminished. Among other things, he is deeply involved in activities pertaining to the p’sak din. He has approached many rabbanim and other leading Torah scholars to show them the p’sak and ask them various questions on the laws of Moshiach and the Redemption, e.g., does Moshiach have to bring documentation verifying that he is a descendant of Dovid HaMelech before he is considered “b’chezkas Moshiach”? He visits all prominent Torah leaders to make certain that they know about the p’sak din and learn about Moshiach and the Redemption. He even opened a website, where he publicizes all his many questions to rabbanim and the answers he has received. In short, when the Rebbe wants the p’sak to be publicized, it’s publicized.

You alluded to the letter that was publicized against your activities. What has your reaction been?

As always, “as they afflicted them, so did they increase and so did they spread forth.” Immediately after the issuance of this letter, we naturally increased in our p’sak din activities and added more signatures. The following day, we met HaRav Broida of Givatayim, and asked him to sign the p’sak. He signed without hesitation, and I clearly felt that his prompt consent to our request was in response to the negative publicity of the day before.

A few words in summation?

First of all, I request that all shluchim and Anash rabbanim take the p’sak din to rabbanim with whom they are acquainted and ask them to sign. If they make the effort, they will see that it is not that difficult. In addition, I make the same request to all your readers – try and you’ll see for yourself. Even if a particular rav does not agree to sign the first time, he may sign after a little persistence on your part. Furthermore, the very fact that this rav now fully understands the subject is no less important.

Let me conclude with an expression of hope and faith in the words of the Rebbe MH”M shlita from the sicha on the p’sak din of “b’chezkas Moshiach”: “reaching the state of ‘he is definitely Moshiach (vadai).’” May we immediately witness the results of our activities, the revelation of the Rebbe MH”M before our very eyes, and may we proclaim before him: Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach l’olam va’ed!