Candace Owens, Chabad

Candace Owens attacks the Lubavitcher Rebbi in fiery debate with Rabbi Shmuely Boteach

Candace Owens takes aim at an unlikely target: a beloved rabbi who preached love. Her inflammatory comments about the Lubavitcher Rebbe have sparked outrage and left many of us wondering: Has she finally gone too far?

Rabbi Shmuely Boteach (Photo: Wikipedia (with permission))

Conservative commentator Candace Owens has once again found herself at the center of controversy. This time, her target is an unexpected one: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the late leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, revered by millions worldwide.

A Legacy Under Attack

Owens accused the Lubavitcher Rebbe, as Schneerson was known, of promoting "Jewish supremacism and hatred of all non-Jews." It couldn't' be farther from the truth.

"It's a grotesque mischaracterization," says Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, who found himself in a surpising and unusual position as he joined many otherin condemning Owens' remarks.

The Man Behind the Controversy

For those unfamiliar with Rabbi Schneerson, the accusations seem at odds with his legacy. From 1950 until his passing in 1994, the Rebbe led a movement that became synonymous with outreach and inclusivity. Under his guidance, Chabad houses sprouted across the globe, offering everything from spiritual guidance to hot meals for those in need – regardless of faith or background.

"The Rebbe's teachings were about building bridges, not walls," explains Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, a long-time assistant to Schneerson. "To suggest otherwise is to fundamentally misunderstand his life's work."

A Pattern of Provocation

Althougb Owens is no stranger to making polarizing statements, many argue this latest comment has gone too far, venturing into territory that feels uncomfortably close to anti-Semitism.

"There's a difference between provocative commentary and outright falsehood," notes Dr. Jonathan Sarna, a professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University. "Owens' comments fall squarely into the latter category."

For now, Owens is again facing mounting criticism. And we can't help but wonder if the old adage 'negative attention is better than no attention' rings true when it comes to her comments.

As for Rabbi Schneerson's legacy, it appears unshaken. "The Rebbe taught us that the strongest response to darkness is light," says Krinsky. "Perhaps that's the lesson we should take from this unfortunate episode."


Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation, and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.


Thou shalt pay top dollar for this

World’s oldest Ten Commandments tablet hits the auction block 

Avi Nachmani | 10.12.24

Brooklyn Bigamy Saga Ends 

How the Satmar Rebbe brought down a decade-long marriage scandal

Gila Isaacson | 10.12.24

From Synagogue embers to Hanukkah lights

Australian Prime Minister captivated by Adass Israel Rabbi’s unique Hanukkah  menorah

Avi Nachmani | 10.12.24

Awful car accident in Morocco has 5 Haredi fatalities

Tragedy in Morocco: 5 Israelis killed in fatal car accident

1
| Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 06.12.24
Get JFeed App
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play