Why the Big Picture of the Rebbe in Your Home?

I learned in my Torah studies that it brings good luck and protection to have a picture of the Rebbe up in your home. Similar to putting up mezuzahs. B”h Reply

The more I read and Learn about the Rebbe, the more I admire him and like the Rabbi said... It was because he was human that he was so special. Reply

Great article, thank you. Reply

But he wasn't the only one who did all of these things. I'm sure there are other people who are just as great as he is. Reply

I have a small picture of the Rebbe on my computer at work to remind me that no matter how busy I am the Rebbe was always busier and that I can do more Reply

How many of you have photos of your parents, children, or other loved ones in your houses?

Well, some of us love the Rebbe. He touched a lot of lives. Reply

didn't answer the question? "is this type of reverence for a human-being appropriate?" Reply

My question too... I have been wondering the same thing and your essay, Rabbi Moss, makes it more understandable to me. Thank you for the effort to help me understand. Reply

You say he was not superhuman, but he healed the sick? HE did not heal the sick, Hashem healed the sick. Just like Moses did not split the sea, Hashem split the sea. This is important to remember. Reply

The Rebbe I was fortunate to speak with the, Rebbe twice. Once when I had left the xtian messianic cult and again later when I started learning and working for Jews for Judaism. They both stand out as major events of my life. I have the Rebbe photo in my home and it reminds me how far he went and how much he believed in me. Mat his memory be for a blessing. Thanks for giving me a good way to explain why. Reply

It is my misfortune to have missed out on meeting the Rebbe. Perhaps my life, too, would have been transformed.

However, his picture, especially those where he smiles and looks straight at the camera with those piercing eyes that seem to say, "Have you done tshuvah? What are you waiting for?" means a lot to me. I tore the cover off a magazine and stuck it in a frame and sometimes it catches my eye. I don't pray to it. It's not avodah zorah. It's just a reminder, like a sign saying, "Be the best you can be!" Or, perhaps, "You can do it!"
Posted By Mark Goodman, Omaha, Nebraska


My feelings exactly. Sometimes it's encouraging. Other times it feels more like a reproach. Either way, it's a man who has done something worthwhile who is challenging me to do something worthwhile, whether it be plumbing or whatever.

It is totally different from a shrine. And yes, I do have family photos on the wall in the same room. He, too, is "family". Reply

Plumber's assistant? Hey now, let's not knock plumbers. I'm perfectly willing to call a rabbi for a clogged leak next time but I'd much rather have someone trained at the task in question ya know. :)

I agree though there's a fine line we must be careful about when it comes to wishing to honor our fellows. It's the difference between a portrait and a shrine. And like pornography vs "art" we know it when we see it. For myself, I don't have pictures of representations of even family hanging up in my home. Just a personal thing, have no Torah to support it though the commandments not to make representations of anything on earth, in the sea, or in the heavens would seem applicable and I know the Amish don't use pictures of make representations of such things for this very reason. So maybe we outta take a lesson from those farm-folk and be more cautious about such things.

My concern is about elevating any Man, hwoever exceptional to divine status and drawing worship away from where it belongs... ;) Reply

I'm a struggling night time custodian. I'd rather be a rabbi. Reply

struggling plumber's assistant Who knows the "struggling plumber's assistant" might be doing a better job of fulfilling his divine mission in this world then the "Rabbi". Reply

Picture I personally met the Rebbe as a young teen. At the time I was young, immature and unable to translate the encounter in a real way. When I became an adult I began studying the Rebbe’s teachings which led me to start internalizing his message. This was unfortunately already after his passing.

I eventually developed those simple encounters I had with the Rebbe as a child, that they became a life altering experience. The Rebbe changed my life. Therefore I have a photo of the Rebbe on my wall; it encourages me to continue to aspire to do more and more every day in strengthening my connection to Hashem.

I study the great works of the Rambam, but I never met him personally. Reply

the Rebbe I am a hasidic woman in s.c. and all I can say is that even though i never met the Rebbe through his teachings he has impacted my life as a jew and has giving me much comfort esepcially during the loss of my granddaughter in 06 people display pictures of thepope and the dhali lama etc.. the respect and revere these religious authorites so why should we not show the same affection for our late Rebbe. Reply

Icons, Images, and Idolatry Sometimes I worry that formal religion (even Judaism) with all its sacred objects, garments, etc. is idolatrous, but I guess it's really about uniting the physical with the spirit. As long as you keep in mind that only G-d is G-d, then it is okay to admire pious people and beautiful things. A Christian friend joked that I should put a big picture of the late Harry Browne (1996 & 2000 Libertarian U.S. Presidential Candidate) on my wall since I admire him as much as my Lubavich friends admire the Rebbe. Reply

Pictures It is my misfortune to have missed out on meeting the Rebbe. Perhaps my life, too, would have been transformed.

However, his picture, especially those where he smiles and looks straight at the camera with those piercing eyes that seem to say, "Have you done tshuvah? What are you waiting for?" means a lot to me. I tore the cover off a magazine and stuck it in a frame and sometimes it catches my eye. I don't pray to it. It's not avodah zorah. It's just a reminder, like a sign saying, "Be the best you can be!" Or, perhaps, "You can do it!" Reply

I just wannted to say to the person who made the question, the following. I thought just like you before, i asked myself the same question, i never doubted about Rebbe's wisdom and more, but my way of thinking changed very fast, just the last Tevet i went tho Crown Heights, to see how lubavitch jews lived,and i have some friends over there, so we went to theyre place. At the begining of the trip i was thinking "Why so much reverence to the Rebbe, i dont want to think bad about lubavitch jews, but this might be avoda zara, that was the first week, then i went to a yeshivah with a program and started to study the maamarim, and many books he wrote, 2 weeks later i un derstood why they have so much respect to the Rebbe, even i bought a drawing of him and all the other Rebbis. You want my recomendation: Go and have some taste of the Lubavitch life, you wont regret it!

PS: Dear reader, sorry for my bad english, its not my native language, i hope you understand. Reply

Maimonides Actually there is a picture of Maimonides...Go to Google images and search yourself to see one. Reply