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{{Short description|American Chabad rabbi (1943–2024)}}
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{{Template:Chabad}} American Chabad Rabbi{{Chabad sidebar}}
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'''Rabbi Shmuel Menachem Butman''' (born 1944) is a ] ] in ], ]. He has served for many years as the director of the ''L'Chaim'' weekly magazine. He was a spokesman for the Chabad community in Crown Heights during the ].<ref>"Clashes Persist in Crown Heights for 3d Night in Row", John Kifner, '']'', ], ]</ref> After the Rabbi ] suffered a stroke, Butman emerged as a leading proponent of ]. He was the organizer of a ] gathering at which Schneerson disappointed his followers by not accepting the mantle of the Messiah.<ref>, Ari L. Goldman, ], ], ''The New York Times''</ref>
'''Rabbi Shmuel Menachem Mendel Butman''' (January 30, 1943 – July 22, 2024) was an American ] ] in ], ]. He was the director of ]. He served for many years as the director of the ''L'Chaim'' weekly magazine.


==Activities== == Activities ==
He is chairman of the ''International Campaign to Bring Moshiach''.<ref> ], ], Lynette Holloway, '']''</ref> He was the founder of the weekly Chabad magazine ''L'Chaim'' and has made campaign contributions to former New York Mayor ].<ref></ref> Butman was the chairman of the ''International Campaign to Bring Moshiach''.<ref>, Lynette Holloway, ''The New York Times'', July 2, 1995.</ref> He was the founder of the weekly Chabad magazine ''L'Chaim'' and made campaign contributions to former New York Mayor ].<ref></ref>


He is the organizer of the annual ''Mitzvah Tank Parade''<ref>, Robert Smith, ], ], ]</ref> and was responsible for the erection of the largest ] in the world at the south-east corner of ] in 2004.<ref>"World's Largest Menorah Lit", Lori Har-El, ''The Epoch Times'', ], ]</ref> He also hosts a weekly radio show called ''Moshiach in the air'' and has been the director of the weekly chabad magazine ''L'Chaim'' since the 1980s. He was the organizer of the annual ''] Parade''.<ref>, Robert Smith, ], April 20, 2005.</ref> He also hosted a weekly radio show called ''Moshiach in the air'' and was the director of the weekly Chabad magazine ''L'Chaim'' from the 1980s on. His weekly "''Challenge''" column was published in the ].


In 1992 he addressed the ] at the invitation of ], representing Chabad in honor of Schneerson's 90th birthday.<ref></ref> In 1992 he addressed the ] at the invitation of ], representing Chabad in honor of Schneerson's 90th birthday.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120172305/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r102:@FIELD(FLD003+h)+@FIELD(DDATE+19920514) |date=2009-01-20 }}, see item 19, "RABBI SHMUEL BUTMAN"</ref>


===Crown Heights Riot=== === Crown Heights riot ===
He gave the keynote address at the funeral of Yankel Rosenbaum, and emerged as a spokesman for the Chabad movement during the course of the rioting.<ref>"Interpretations of the Crown Heights Riot", Shapiro, Edward S., ''American Jewish History'' - Volume 90, Number 2, June 2002, pp. 97-122</ref> He praised the actions of the police but voiced anger against the black rioters comparing their actions to European ]s in the 19th century. ''"First Crown Heights, then Washington Heights, then the Golan Heights. This is a Jewish issue. What happened in Crown Heights was not an isolated incident."''<ref>"Racial Unrest: An Eye for an Eye", Sam Allis, '']'' magazine, ], ]</ref><ref>"5,000 at Rally Join to Protest Anti-Semitism", James Barron, ''New York Times'', ], ].</ref> He commented: ''"This is not Poland in 1881. It's the United States in 1991!"''<ref>"Crown of thorns", Jonathan Rieder, '']'', ], ]</ref> Butman gave a keynote address at the funeral of Yankel Rosenbaum.<ref>{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Shapiro, Edward S., ''American Jewish History'' - Volume 90, Number 2, June 2002, pp. 97-122, (fee reqd.)</ref> He praised the actions of the police but voiced anger against the rioters comparing their actions to European ]s in the 19th century. ''"First Crown Heights, then Washington Heights, then the Golan Heights. This is a Jewish issue. What happened in Crown Heights was not an isolated incident."''<ref>, Sam Allis, '']'' magazine, September 09, 1991.</ref><ref>", James Barron, ''The New York Times'', October 14, 1991.</ref> He commented: ''"This is not Poland in 1881. It's the United States in 1991!"''<ref>"Crown of thorns", Jonathan Rieder, '']'', October 14, 1991.</ref>


===Messianism=== === Messianism ===
Before Schneerson's death Butman was active in the movement to crown him as "King ]". He was seen as a leader of that movement, organizing rallies to bring about this proclamation.<ref name="a">, ] ], ] '']''</ref> He invoked the recitation of the ''Yechi'' mantra in Schneerson's presence without him complaining as evidence that he was indeed the Messiah.<ref name="a"/> He organized the rally on ] ] that was billed as Schneerson's coronation ceremony.<ref>, Ari L. Goldman, ], ], ''The New York Times''</ref> Before the rally he informed the press that ''"This will be the coronation of the rebbe as Melech haMashiach (King Messiah)."''<ref>"Mashiach Madness reaches frenzy as lubavitch 'anoint' the Rebbe", Debra Nussbaum Cohen, ] ], ]</ref><ref>"Rabbi to be anointed Messiah" '']'', ], ]</ref> Butman was forced to backtrack during the event, announcing that Schneerson appearance did not represent his acceptance of the role of Messiah. He told the 8,000 assembled followers (plus many more around the world watching via satellite) that the event ''"is not to be interpreted as a coronation."''<ref>"Rabbi's appearance fails to reveal messiah", '']'', ], ]</ref> Before Schneerson's death Butman was active in the movement to crown him as "King ]". He was seen as a leader of that movement, organizing rallies to bring about this proclamation.<ref name="a">, ], '']'', February 2, 1993.</ref> He invoked the recitation of the ''Yechi'' slogan in Schneerson's presence without him complaining as evidence that he was indeed the Messiah.<ref name="a"/> He organized the rally on January 30, 1993, that was billed as Schneerson's coronation ceremony.<ref name="query.nytimes.com">, Ari L. Goldman, ''The New York Times'', February 1, 1993.</ref> Before the rally he informed the press that ''"This will be the coronation of the rebbe as Melech haMashiach (King Messiah)."''<ref>"Mashiach Madness reaches frenzy as lubavitch 'anoint' the Rebbe", Debra Nussbaum Cohen, ], January 28, 1993.</ref><ref><!-- NOTE: ref gets confused by double quote marks in the url --><!---->"Rabbi to be anointed Messiah", '']'', January 30, 1993.</ref> Butman was forced to backtrack during the event, announcing that Schneerson's appearance did not represent his acceptance of the role of Messiah. He told the 8,000 assembled followers (plus many more around the world watching via satellite) that the event ''"is not to be interpreted as a coronation."''<ref>"Rabbi's appearance fails to reveal messiah", '']'', February 1, 1993.</ref>


Butman penned a book outlining the religious and philosophical justification for believing that Schneerson was the messiah despite his death in 1995. He made the book freely available online.<ref>''Countdown to Moshiach. Can the Rebbe still be Moshiach?'' Rabbi Shmuel Butman, 1995</ref> Butman penned a book outlining the religious and philosophical justification for believing that Schneerson was the messiah despite his death in 1995. He made the book freely available online.<ref>"Countdown to Moshiach. Can the Rebbe still be Moshiach?", Rabbi Shmuel Butman, 1995.</ref>


When the ] denounced messianism within Chabad in 1996, Butman went on the offensive telling the press: ''"Rabbi Shmuel Butman, chairman of the International Campaign to Bring Moshiach, responded to the RCA by saying: "Questions of belief in Judaism are a matter of halachah and should be referred to recognized Torah giants of the generation for a decision"'' adding that the resolution was ''"like voting against the rebbe"''.<ref>"1,000 Orthodox rabbis reject claim rebbe was Messiah", Debra Nussbaum Cohen, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, ], ]</ref> When the ] denounced messianism within Chabad in 1996, Butman went on the offensive telling the press: ''"Rabbi Shmuel Butman, chairman of the International Campaign to Bring Moshiach, responded to the RCA by saying: "Questions of belief in Judaism are a matter of halachah and should be referred to recognized Torah giants of the generation for a decision"'' adding that the resolution was ''"like voting against the rebbe"''.<ref>, Debra Nussbaum Cohen, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 21, 1996.</ref>


He is widely viewed as a leader of the messianist strand within Chabad - with ] as a primary nemesis.<ref>"The war of the messiahs heats up", '']'', Marilyn Herny, ], ]</ref> He told the press in December 1994, after Schneerson's death: He was widely viewed as a spokesman of the messianist strand within Chabad.<ref>"The war of the messiahs heats up", Marilyn Herny, '']'', August 30, 1996.</ref> He told the press in December 1994, after Schneerson's death:
:''"it is not some of the people in the community, but all of the people in the community as well as Lubavitch throughout the world, who believe...that the Rebbe will take us out of exile, and that the Rebbe will lead us to the great final redemption."''<ref>"Rabbis Blast Lubavitcher Messianism, Warn Resurrection Talk Echoes Christian Themes", Lucette Lagnado, '']'', ], ].</ref> :''"it is not some of the people in the community, but all of the people in the community as well as Lubavitch throughout the world, who believe...that the Rebbe will take us out of exile, and that the Rebbe will lead us to the great final redemption."''<ref>"Rabbis Blast Lubavitcher Messianism, Warn Resurrection Talk Echoes Christian Themes", Lucette Lagnado, '']'', December 2, 1994.</ref>


In later years he has been less outspoken in his messianic beliefs. In later years he was less outspoken in his messianic beliefs. Since February 2008, he presented the weekly web-based Torah program "Shabbos Night Live" on mainstream Chabad websites COLlive.com and COL.org.il.


At the ] ceremony at 770 Eastern Parkway, he was the agreed upon candidate to emcee the rare event.<ref>, ''COLlive.com'', Mar 31, 2009</ref>
==Family==
Butman is married to Rochelle Butman and they have six children together, Velvel, Joseph, Yehudis, Chana, Basya and Haddasha. His son Rabbi Velvel Butman is the director of Chabad of ] while a son-in-law, Rabbi Mordechai Newman, is the director of Chabad of Alexandria-Arlington in ].<ref>"Dancing rabbis on I-395", Susan Mandel, '']'', ], ]</ref>


== Personal life and death ==
⚫ ==Bibliography==
Butman was married to Rochel Butman and they have six children together, Velvel, Joseph, Yehudis, Chana, Basya and Haddasa. His son Rabbi Velvel Butman was executive director of Chabad Lubavitch Of Westchester of Westchester County (]) until he was removed by Chabad Central Headquarters for refusing to give his wife a Get (Jewish divorce document);<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-04-03|title=Jewish leader's son is a 'deadbeat dad' who refuses to pay child support|url=https://nypost.com/2017/04/02/jewish-leaders-son-is-a-deadbeat-dad-who-refuses-to-pay-child-support/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref> his son Rabbi Joseph Butman is the director of Chabad of Armonk, Chappaquah & Pleasantville (Westchester County, New York); his son-in-law Rabbi Mordechai Newman is the director of Chabad of Alexandria-Arlington in ];<ref>{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Susan Mandel, '']'', September 21, 2006.</ref> his son-in-law Rabbi Bentzion Korf is the principal of Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Miami in ], Florida; his son-in-law Rabbi Yehuda Heber is the director of Chabad of Yorktown, Cortlandt, and Somers (Westchester County, New York). He died on July 22, 2024, from a heart attack at the age of 81.<ref></ref>

⚫ == Bibliography ==
* ''Countdown to Moshiach: Can the rebbe still be Moshiach?'', Shmuel Butman (unknown binding - 1995). * ''Countdown to Moshiach: Can the rebbe still be Moshiach?'', Shmuel Butman (unknown binding - 1995).
Read online here: Read online here:


==Citations== == References ==
{{Reflist}}
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Latest revision as of 01:06, 1 November 2024

American Chabad rabbi (1943–2024)

American Chabad Rabbi

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Rabbi Shmuel Menachem Mendel Butman (January 30, 1943 – July 22, 2024) was an American Chabad rabbi in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. He was the director of Lubavitch Youth Organization. He served for many years as the director of the L'Chaim weekly magazine.

Activities

Butman was the chairman of the International Campaign to Bring Moshiach. He was the founder of the weekly Chabad magazine L'Chaim and made campaign contributions to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

He was the organizer of the annual Mitzvah Tank Parade. He also hosted a weekly radio show called Moshiach in the air and was the director of the weekly Chabad magazine L'Chaim from the 1980s on. His weekly "Challenge" column was published in the Jewish Press.

In 1992 he addressed the US House of Representatives at the invitation of Chuck Schumer, representing Chabad in honor of Schneerson's 90th birthday.

Crown Heights riot

Butman gave a keynote address at the funeral of Yankel Rosenbaum. He praised the actions of the police but voiced anger against the rioters comparing their actions to European pogroms in the 19th century. "First Crown Heights, then Washington Heights, then the Golan Heights. This is a Jewish issue. What happened in Crown Heights was not an isolated incident." He commented: "This is not Poland in 1881. It's the United States in 1991!"

Messianism

Before Schneerson's death Butman was active in the movement to crown him as "King Messiah". He was seen as a leader of that movement, organizing rallies to bring about this proclamation. He invoked the recitation of the Yechi slogan in Schneerson's presence without him complaining as evidence that he was indeed the Messiah. He organized the rally on January 30, 1993, that was billed as Schneerson's coronation ceremony. Before the rally he informed the press that "This will be the coronation of the rebbe as Melech haMashiach (King Messiah)." Butman was forced to backtrack during the event, announcing that Schneerson's appearance did not represent his acceptance of the role of Messiah. He told the 8,000 assembled followers (plus many more around the world watching via satellite) that the event "is not to be interpreted as a coronation."

Butman penned a book outlining the religious and philosophical justification for believing that Schneerson was the messiah despite his death in 1995. He made the book freely available online.

When the Rabbinical Council of America denounced messianism within Chabad in 1996, Butman went on the offensive telling the press: "Rabbi Shmuel Butman, chairman of the International Campaign to Bring Moshiach, responded to the RCA by saying: "Questions of belief in Judaism are a matter of halachah and should be referred to recognized Torah giants of the generation for a decision" adding that the resolution was "like voting against the rebbe".

He was widely viewed as a spokesman of the messianist strand within Chabad. He told the press in December 1994, after Schneerson's death:

"it is not some of the people in the community, but all of the people in the community as well as Lubavitch throughout the world, who believe...that the Rebbe will take us out of exile, and that the Rebbe will lead us to the great final redemption."

In later years he was less outspoken in his messianic beliefs. Since February 2008, he presented the weekly web-based Torah program "Shabbos Night Live" on mainstream Chabad websites COLlive.com and COL.org.il.

At the Birchas Hachama ceremony at 770 Eastern Parkway, he was the agreed upon candidate to emcee the rare event.

Personal life and death

Butman was married to Rochel Butman and they have six children together, Velvel, Joseph, Yehudis, Chana, Basya and Haddasa. His son Rabbi Velvel Butman was executive director of Chabad Lubavitch Of Westchester of Westchester County (Westchester County) until he was removed by Chabad Central Headquarters for refusing to give his wife a Get (Jewish divorce document); his son Rabbi Joseph Butman is the director of Chabad of Armonk, Chappaquah & Pleasantville (Westchester County, New York); his son-in-law Rabbi Mordechai Newman is the director of Chabad of Alexandria-Arlington in Virginia; his son-in-law Rabbi Bentzion Korf is the principal of Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Miami in Miami Beach, Florida; his son-in-law Rabbi Yehuda Heber is the director of Chabad of Yorktown, Cortlandt, and Somers (Westchester County, New York). He died on July 22, 2024, from a heart attack at the age of 81.

Bibliography

  • Countdown to Moshiach: Can the rebbe still be Moshiach?, Shmuel Butman (unknown binding - 1995).

Read online here: http://www.moshiach.net/blind/count.htm

References

  1. "A Spiritual Leader Lives On in Memory", Lynette Holloway, The New York Times, July 2, 1995.
  2. Campaign contributions by Shmuel Butman.
  3. "Riding in the Annual Mitzvah Tank Parade", Robert Smith, National Public Radio, April 20, 2005.
  4. Congressional Records of May 14 1992, Library of Congress Archived 2009-01-20 at the Wayback Machine, see item 19, "RABBI SHMUEL BUTMAN"
  5. "Interpretations of the Crown Heights Riot", Shapiro, Edward S., American Jewish History - Volume 90, Number 2, June 2002, pp. 97-122, (fee reqd.)
  6. "Racial Unrest: An Eye for an Eye", Sam Allis, Time magazine, September 09, 1991.
  7. "5,000 at Rally Join to Protest Anti-Semitism", James Barron, The New York Times, October 14, 1991.
  8. "Crown of thorns", Jonathan Rieder, The New Republic, October 14, 1991.
  9. ^ "Letter from Crown Heights", Malcolm Gladwell, The Washington Post, February 2, 1993.
  10. "Rebbe, but Not the Messiah, As Lubavitchers Compromise", Ari L. Goldman, The New York Times, February 1, 1993.
  11. "Mashiach Madness reaches frenzy as lubavitch 'anoint' the Rebbe", Debra Nussbaum Cohen, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, January 28, 1993.
  12. "Rabbi to be anointed Messiah", Press Telegram, January 30, 1993.
  13. "Rabbi's appearance fails to reveal messiah", Deseret News, February 1, 1993.
  14. "Countdown to Moshiach. Can the Rebbe still be Moshiach?", Rabbi Shmuel Butman, 1995.
  15. "1,000 Orthodox rabbis reject claim rebbe was Messiah", Debra Nussbaum Cohen, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 21, 1996.
  16. "The war of the messiahs heats up", Marilyn Herny, Jerusalem Post, August 30, 1996.
  17. "Rabbis Blast Lubavitcher Messianism, Warn Resurrection Talk Echoes Christian Themes", Lucette Lagnado, The Forward, December 2, 1994.
  18. "No Signs at Birchas Hachama", COLlive.com, Mar 31, 2009
  19. "Jewish leader's son is a 'deadbeat dad' who refuses to pay child support". New York Post. 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  20. "Dancing rabbis on I-395", Susan Mandel, Alexandria Times, September 21, 2006.
  21. Rabbi Shmuel Butman, 81, OBM
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