Chabad Theology is something I hope to post a lot more on, however this response by R'Simon Jacobson should make a good start.
R'Jacobson,
There are a couple of concerns I have of late with Chabad theology.
The following websites cover the issues I am referring to:
http://rebbegod.blogspot.com/
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/824393.html
Clearly this issue, of incarnation, deification, blurring the lines between man and G-d touch at the bedrock foundations of our faith.
Since you are an authoritative voice in the Chabad world, would you be able to please pen a response to the above as I think this is something that many people are concerned about.
With your permission I would like to post it on my blog emet.blog-city.com
Looking forward to your response on this matter,
Regards,
Rael Levinsohn
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Hi Rael,
Thanks for writing about this issue that concerns you and so many others. I looked at the links you sent me. Briefly, allow me to say that these statements made as if they were facts have NO basis in Torah (and by extension Chabad theology, which is nothing but Torah). Indeed, they are CONTRARY to Torah. Anyone mouthing them is both ignorant and uneducated, not to mention irresponsible.
Jewish faith believes that there is one and only one G-d. We need no intermediaries to access G-d. The role of a Tzaddik is to serve as a transparent channel, being a completely selfless role model embodying what it means to live a G-dly life. He therefore is called an "ish Elokim," a man of G-d, or a G-dly man. The Torah says (Exodus 14:31) that the Jews "believed in G-d and in Moses His servant," and the Midrash Mechilta equates the two, saying that one who does not believe in Moses is as if he does not believe in G-d. But this does not in any way mean, G-d forbid, that there is anything but one G-d; it simply means that due to his absolute and total bittul, selflessness, Moses was a true servant and messenger of G-d, to be trusted and believed in. This is the entire basis why we accept the words of Moses — and his successors — as the word of G-d. As the Mishne in Pirkei Avot delineates the mesorah-transmission of Torah: Moses received the Torah at Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua. Joshua transmitted it to the elders, the elders to the prophets, etc. This explains the role of a Tzaddik and a Rebbe: To teach Torah and serve as a selfless example — to people who may be consumed with their own egos and distracted by the materialism of life — of how to live a G-dly existence.
Therefore, the reckless statements made by some individuals which go against Torah and Chabad theology, do not deserve to be addressed. The only reason why I addressed them is because of your question and those of many others.
You have my permission to post this on your blog. I will also send you an an article I wrote on the topic, which may add clarity to the issue, and you may also post.
Blessings and best wishes,
Simon Jacobson