‘These Disputes Can Literally Lead to Murder’ Visnitzer Rebbe Addressing the Gerer Civil War

 

At his Motzei Shabbos tisch, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe spoke harshly against the Gerrer Chassidim who have been attacking the followers of Rav Shaul Alter.

The Rebbe said that this sort of disgracing of Talmidei Chachamim led to the destruction of Yerushalayim, and he said that “the disputes that are taking place can mamash lead to murder.”

As reported on the Charedi news website Kikar Shabbos, the Rebbe said, “I want to focus on a topic that has been hurting me a lot for a long time. Unfortunately, there are disputes among many different members of Klal Yisrael, which can sometimes lead to real bloodshed.”

He continued,” I said this to my Chassidm several weeks ago, and now I want to address all of Klal Yisrael. As an example, I will use Reuvain and Shimon. Reuvain belongs to one Chassidus and Shimon belongs to another. Reuvain sends out all sorts of letters and materials, denigrating the Chassidus of Shimon, to build himself and build up his own greatness. Regarding this, the Gemara says in the name of Rav Yehuda, ‘Yerushalayim was only destroyed because of the disgracing of Talmidei Chachamim.’ Also ‘Anyone who disgraces a Talmid Chacham there is no medicine for his wounds.’”

“The fact that you follow a certain sect of Chassidus and you hold of your own Rebbe, does not give you permission to speak against a different Rebbe.”

The Rebbe said many more strong and even harsh words, describing the current situation.

At the end of his speech, the Rebbe emphasized that he is speaking to both Chassidm and Litvaks, and he urged his followers to spread this message. In addition, he requested that it be published in the Israeli Hamodia in the coming days.