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MembersThe Return of the Rebbe

At the beginning of February, I had a nice conversation with an Orthodox Jew in my office.

Aviel Schneider
Photo: Israel Today

He came by seeking donations for a project helping to get troubled youth off the streets of Jerusalem. David, 36, is a father of three who returned to the Orthodox faith about four years ago. He had spent almost 10 years abroad, including seven years in Australia.

“I’ve committed all sorts of sins, and I’m not sitting in jail in India today thanks to the grace of God,” David told me. After recounting how he looks after young people and what he needs money for, I discovered that he’s a follower of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. “The Rebbe is our Messiah,” David stated. “We believe he will come back. We do not know when, but the Bible points to the Rebbe.“

“So you believe in a second coming of the Messiah, as Christians believe it of Jesus?” I asked.

“That’s the way it is,” he replied. “The difference is that Jesus was not recognized by the people, but the Rebbe is. Jesus was followed by only 12 disciples.”

Of course, there are some factual problems with his statement. Jesus...

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Patrick Callahan

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