A:

Which misnagdim are opposed to rebbishe brachos? Tell me one.

Q:

I went to a Rosh Yeshiva once and I told him that I asked a Rebbe for a bracha and he responded sarcastically.

A:

He’s asking, “Why are the non-chassidim opposed to a blessing given by a chassidic rabbi?” And the answer is that the only time they are opposed is when they think that he is not a rabbi. When they think that he’s only a man who dresses like a rabbi, or who has put up a sign on his door. But when they really consider him a talmid chochom, a learned man, then nobody is opposed to his brachos.

If it’s an ignorant man then what good will it be? How can he expect to avail himself of such a thing at all without a merit? So therefore he has to be first of all a talmid chochom. אין בור ירא חטא ולא עם הארץ חסיד (Pirkei Avos 2:5). To be a chossid you can’t be an am ha’aretz. And if want to be a rebbe of chassidimyou have to be more than a non-am ha’aretz; you have to be a big talmid chochom.

Q:

But Reb Moshe would be opposed to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

A:

The Lubavitcher Rebbe is a big talmid chochom!

Q:

Reb Moshe Feinstein wouldn’t be opposed if someone wants to go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe?

A:

No he would not. He respects him, he has a high regard for him! They have high regard for each other! No question about it. The Lubavitcher Rebbe is a big talmid chochom! He’s a thinker and a talmid chochom. Not only the Lubavitcher Rebbe; there are plenty of rebbes I can enumerate, but this not a subject that I would like to delve into right now.

TAPE #R-11

Rav Avigdor Miller on the Man Who Dresses Like a Rabbi