Menachem Mendel Schneerson - Controversy - Rabbi Schneerson As The Jewish Messiah

Rabbi Schneerson As The Jewish Messiah

Before Schneerson's death in 1994 many Chabad Hasidim believed that he was soon to become manifest as the Messiah (moshiach) — an event that would herald the Messianic Age and the construction of the Third Temple. Books and pamphlets were written arguing that the Rabbi was the Messiah (moshiach).

In Schneerson's later years a movement arose believing that it was their mission to convince the world of his messiahship, and that general acceptance of this claim would lead to his revelation. Adherents to this belief were termed Meshichist. In the early '90s, his followers sang the song "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu v'Rabbeinu Melech haMoshiach l'olom vo'ed!" (English: " Live our Master, our Teacher, and our Rabbi, King Moshiach, for ever and ever!"), and Rabbi Schneerson encouraged them with hand motions. After his stroke the singing and the encouragement became routine.

A spectrum of beliefs exists today within the Chabad movement regarding Schneerson and his purported position as the Messiah. While some believe that he died but will return as the Messiah, others believe that he is merely "hidden." Other groups believe that he has God-like powers, while a few negate the idea that he is the messiah entirely. The prevalence of these views within the movement is disputed, though very few will openly say that Schneerson cannot be the Messiah.