Chabad Lubavitch is one of the largest Hasidic movement in the world. Its leader Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who died in 1994, called for members of Chabad to bring secular Jews closer to Judaism by asking them to do mitzvahs (good deeds). Chabad has been immensely successful in its outreach and outposts of the organization exist all over the world. If you have ever been stopped on the street and asked “excuse me sir, are you Jewish?” that was these guys.
Chabad is also well known for the controversy surrounding Schneerson. Starting in the nineteen nineties, some sectors of Chabad began proclaiming that Schneerson was the Messiah. This belief has continued since his death though it is a matter of fierce debate how prevalent the messianic tendency is within the movement. Schneerson died without an heir and Chabad has yet to appoint a new leader.
For what is, probably the most vibrant movement within Judaism there is are surprisingly few sources available in English on Lubavitch. I’ve created an list below. Please leave all corrections or additions in the comments or contact me directly at miloandthecalf@gmail.com.
Chabad Generally
The Rebbe’s Army: Inside the World of Chabad-Lubavitch
The Seven Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbes
Schneerson Biographies
The Rebbe: The Life and Afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Open Secret: Postmessianic Messianism and the Mystical Revision of Menahem Mendel Schneerson
Other books on Hasidism
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