Chabad: The Israeli Jehovah’s Witness

In the US the Jehovah’s Witness are known for going door-to-door in the hopes to spread their religion. They are a kind people who are eager to enlarge their population, but are courteous and not offended when you decline their overture.

In Israel we have the Chabad who carry out much of the same role, with a slight twist. The Chabad comprise the largest branch of Hassidic Judaism. This strand of Orthodox Judaism is based on certain early Kabbalistic works, and puts an emphasis on song, dance and celebration, while adhering to all of the rules of the Torah.

Like the Jehovah Witness, the Chabad appeal to the public to practice their religion; however, in this case they try to convert their own people to become more religious. You can find them handing out tea-light candles on Friday afternoons on Dizengoff street in Tel Aviv, standing by the Western Wall (in the Men’s section of course) where they ask if men would like to put on tefilin, and hanging around Ben Gurion airport where there is always a tzedakah box.

My most recent encounter with them was the other day when one man came to the office. He walked in and asked if anyone would like to hear the shofar. He explained that the shofar is blown on each of the 30 days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and it is a mitzvah to hear it. (Since we do not get to synagogue for this event, he is bringing it to us). In the late afternoon of this summer’s day there were not too many people in the office, but I was able to rally up 2 other women. As the 3 of us stood there while he blew the shofar I was amused by the entire scene.

I view the Chabad with amusing indifference. I do not find them threatening or annoying, nor are they alluring or enticing to me. I may not practice Judaism in a way that they would agree with, but I have no problem with them offering up their advice and services. Even Israelis who may be hostile to them in their backyards, find comfort in them elsewhere in the world.

Some of the biggest Chabad centers are in countries where many Israelis like to travel- such as India and Thailand. My brothers told me stories of going to Rosh Hashanah services in Bangkok where hundreds of Jews were present, mostly Israeli. While I doubt that many of them were truly observant, they all came there to be with other Jews on the Jewish New Year.

As the Rosh Hashanah approaches, I find it humorous and comforting that the Chabad goes door-to-door in a high-tech hi rise in Herzliya Pituach to bring a little Judaism into our lives.