Chabad library controversy [From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

A family dispute arose about the library of the sixth Rebbe which also brought an internal family rivalry between Barry Gurary (supported by his mother) and his uncle the seventh Rebbe into the public spotlight.

Barry Gurary's grandfather, the sixth Rebbe, collected a vast library of Judaica, which included several rare volumes. In 1984, some 34 years after his grandfather's passing, Barry Gurary entered the library and clandestinely removed numerous Jewish books, including a first print Passover haggadah and a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) that was said to have belonged to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism, and began selling the books. His uncle, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad Rebbe, was infuriated by these actions. He demanded that the volumes be returned. When Barry refused, he was then asked to appear before a Beth din, but refused. Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Krinsky consulted rabbinic authorities on Jewish law who advised him that appeals can be made to a secular governmental court if justice cannot be effectuated in a Jewish court. On legal advice the Lubavitchers decided to obtain a temporary restraining order in the hope that this would resolve the matter. Rabbi Schneerson argued that the volumes were not the "personal possession" of Gurary's grandfather, but the "communal property" of the Lubavitch Hasidim. The organizational body that represents Lubavitch Chassidim - Agudas Chasidei Chabad (ACC), filed suit to retrieve the books.

During the court hearing Gurary's father supported his uncle's side, while his mother supported her son, Barry Gurary. Unfortunately, after Rabbi Schneerson had delivered a passionate talk on this subject, a young Lubavitcher entered her home and viciously assaulted her.

In 1986, the court ruled in favor of ACC, and that ruling was upheld on appeal in 1987. The volumes were returned to the library.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe then proclaimed this day as a special time of rejoicing for Lubavitch which they called Didan Notzach (which basically means "we won," implying that it was God who helped them win.

To celebrate their win, they celebrated for 7 nights, and scince then, every year, on the same date, Chabad celebrates the win in "Hitvadoot" (Conference, Meeting).

The following photos were taken on the last "Hitvadoot", that took place in Tel-Aviv on December 2006.