Adin Steinsaltz in 1990

עוד ארבעים יום ונינוה נהפכת

Adin Steinsaltz in 1990. I can’t help but weep watching this. It’s already 34 years on top of 40 years Steinsaltz spoke about. And despite all the efforts or maybe because of it, the Jewry rapidly disintegrated. The mission of Oto Ish is a spectacular failure, partially despite the efforts, but perhaps because of it.

Do you even understand what has happened in the past 34 years? At the time, Steinsaltz was teaching in Russia (Tablet), so he saw what was actually happening. But he continues to dream about the old Chabad and confuses it with what is in front of his face. He continues in the mode of the Russian hasidim that had the benefit of being remote from their Rebbe.

Unfocused shlichus concentrated on money, not the Jews. No leadership. Worse, peasants on top.

Steinsaltz belongs to the lost world of elite Russian Hasidim, Zevin, Hein, etc. In this speech, he used the Russian word сволочь svoloch. Steinsaltz might have thought it was actually Yiddish.

Gutnik an intellectual man listens with attention, but Futerfas is a blank stare. Tells you a lot about Futerfas. Maybe he was old.

Soon there will be 40 years on top of 40 years. In six years.

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