The Concept of Revolution in the Teaching of the Rebbe Chaim Elazar Shapira

R. Chaim Elazar Shapira undoubtedly belongs to the most conservative leaders of Orthodox Judaism at the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Nevertheless, his teaching contains the concepts of a radical revolutionary transformation of the existing world order. According to his views, after the Second Temple`s destruction, the forces of evil reigned in the world. The elimination of their power is the primary task of the Jewish people. It can be realized at any time and does not require any special historical conditions. At the initial stage of correcting the world, the tzaddiks must become immortal. Only the sins of the community force the righteous to die. Strict observance of the laws of the Torah correct this situation and will soon lead to the messianic deliverance of the Jewish people. This great goal can be achieved without the great trials predicted by the prophets. The First World War and the events that followed it led to the creation of a different concept by the Shapira, which exists in parallel with the above mentioned. He interpreted what was happening as a time prior set to deliverance. It requires from believers special activity. In particular, r. Haim Elazar forbade praying for an end of the war disasters because it prevents passing through the necessary testing period. After the war, the rebbe performed rituals with his Hasidim, which was to overthrow the European monarchies. Thus, the teaching of the rebbe was reoriented to historical realities. It is now talking about a world in which potentially all conditions for transformation are ripe. Believers only need to update them. The lecture provides evidence that this doctrine of r. Shapira contains the concept of a conservative revolution, corresponding to modern scientific ideas about this phenomenon.