Debate

Debate is a term for a discourse conducted between two sides holding opposing positions.

Throughout Jewish history, there were many times when Jews were forced to conduct various debates with representatives of other religions and the like (especially in Christian countries), to prove the truth of Judaism, while they were under threat that if they lost the debate, they would be forced to convert to Christianity. Great Jewish sages stood against representatives of the church and rejected their claims outright.

Unlike a true debate whose purpose is to clarify the truth, and in Chassidus it is explained why truth is specifically clarified through debate, the Rebbe warned against entering into debates that generally cause more harm than benefit.

The Rebbe's Approach to Debates

The Rebbe's general guidance is to avoid debates since speaking in a manner of drawing close can influence in a better and deeper way, and additionally, many times not only does debate not help, but it can cause harm since it arouses the attribute of victory in the other side, causing them to become more entrenched in their position.

However, one must be careful that avoiding debate does not create the impression that one is afraid of it because one fears losing the debate, and in any case, even when debate becomes necessary - it should be limited to the absolute minimum necessary, and one should know that from a true debate whose purpose is to clarify the truth and not merely for the sake of winning, no mishap or damage can come to the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu.

Even when one does engage in debate, every debate should start with certain assumptions that are shared by both sides, which gives purpose to the debate, since in a debate where there are no shared assumptions between the two sides, each becomes entrenched in their positions with no possibility to convince the other side, and the debate is futile.

Debates with Christians

On many occasions, the Rebbe rejected pointless debates on the topic of Christianity, especially when approached with a subservient attitude. The Rebbe warned that these debates could lead to transgressing Torah prohibitions of "do not follow after your hearts," and "do not turn to idols."

Nevertheless, when a Jew wrote to the Rebbe about questions asked during a debate with Jews influenced by Christians - in addition to answering that one should not enter into futile debates with them, the Rebbe pointed out several absurd points in the Christian approach, making it clear why the inclination toward this approach is illogical.

Debates with Conservatives

At the beginning of Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov's shlichus, it was suggested that he hold a public debate with a Conservative rabbi who was young and inexperienced. He thought that although generally the Rebbe discouraged entering into debates, this case was an exception where success in the debate was guaranteed, and the high exposure to authentic Judaism outweighed concerns about potential damage resulting from the debate.

He asked the Rebbe about this through Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, and received the answer that he should avoid it for 2 reasons:

a) When sitting with someone around the table, the very act of sitting grants them legitimacy as an equal 'disputant' whose opinion is considered something to 'deal with' and debate.

b) Although generally when two sides debate, the side with deeper and more complex reasoning is correct, listeners to the debate are usually not experienced enough in understanding subtle nuances, and mainly look for the passionate fervor in the debate rather than the content.

Among Our Rebbeim

Lvov Debate

After the Frankist sect failed and surrendered to the church, on the 26th of Tamuz 5519 (1759), a public debate took place led by the Baal Shem Tov, his disciples and Chassidim, headed by Rabbi Chaim HaCohen Rappaport. According to letters in the Kherson archives, the Baal Shem Tov himself was present at the debate (as Rabbi Yaakov Emden also believed in his work "Maaseh Nora B'Podolia"), however from the Rebbe Rayatz's notes it appears that he was not personally present.

Shklov Debate

Among the places that the Alter Rebbe visited to spread Chassidic teachings was the town of Shklov, which he visited several times.

During his first visit, the misnagdim (opponents) agreed to debate and accept the Chassidic approach if they were defeated. When the debate began and the misnagdim saw they were going to lose, they seized the Alter Rebbe and his companion and locked them in a cellar.

During his second visit, which took place between the years 5538-5540 (1778-1780), after defeating them in Torah study, he told them: "When one knows the concepts of Torah as they exist in the higher worlds above, one automatically knows their interpretation below in this world." Following this debate, about ten talented young married men were drawn to Chassidic teachings and became Chabad Chassidim (among them R' Pinchas Reizes, son of the town rabbi). This enraged the misnagdim, and as a result of this debate, the Minsk debate was arranged.

Minsk Debate (5543/1783)

The great debate in Minsk was the central debate conducted by the Alter Rebbe in 5543 (1783) in the town of Minsk, against the great misnagdim who opposed Chassidic teachings, representing the disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch. In this debate, the Alter Rebbe defeated the misnagdim and gave them crushing responses to all their questions.

As a result of this debate, hundreds of young married men were drawn to Chassidic teachings, and true opposition from the Torah giants among the misnagdim decreased, as they realized that the leader of the Chassidic movement was a tremendous genius and scholar, and that all his ways were founded on faith in Hashem without any deviation from traditional Jewish practices.

The Epistle of Debate and Peace

"The Epistle of Debate and Peace" is a treatise addressing the misnagdim's arguments against the Chassidic movement and calling for peace between the two camps. The epistle was published by R' Baruch Balov Yafit of Petersburg, and included a summary of the words of a "Gaon Rabbi" on the subject. According to several testimonies, the epistle was written by the Tzemach Tzedek. Yehoshua Mondshine claimed that the style of the epistle does not match the Tzemach Tzedek's style and is not his.

During the Rebbe Rashab's journey to visit the gravesites of our Rebbeim, he met with Rabbi Shlomo Ahrenson on 1 Shevat 5663 (1903) in Nezhin. During their meeting, a debate began between them about Zionism, with Rabbi Ahrenson supporting Zionism and the Rebbe Rashab opposing it.

See Also

• Vikucha Rabba (book)
• Controversy

External Links

• Shneur Ashkenazi, "How to Argue Like Jews?"
• Yoav Akrish, "Pointless Arguments? Not Really. There's a Reason It's Important to Fight and Argue"
• Yechiel Kutzer, "The Art of Argument: How to Stand Your Ground Without Irritating Too Much"
• "The Virtue of Intellectual Explanation When It Includes Opposing Contradictions," Haoros UBiurim Toronto 'Vayiten Oz L'Malko' 11 Nissan 5783, page 95