Chabad-Lubavitch Related Controversies

Chabad-Lubavitch Related Controversies

Chabad-Lubavitch is a branch of Hasidism. Its founder Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was twice arrested by the Russians on trumped-up charges, and later opposed Napoleon's emancipation of the Jews; one of his sons converted to Christianity. The movement achieved global prominence under the stewardship of the seventh (and last) Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The belief among some followers that Schneerson is the messiah and will return or that he never even died has led to some friction within the Chabad community. Since his death in 1994 the movement has split into competing factions. Ongoing financial battles between the factions since 1995, as well as the contested control over part of the headquarters in Brooklyn has led to strife.