אות - קפב

The Rebbe once said, “They are not really opposing me. They are merely opposing a person who is doing the things they fabricate against me, and they are correct in opposing such a person.”

Those who were against the Rebbe invented all sorts of false accusations against him. These accusations were totally without foundation and did not apply to the Rebbe at all. However, a person who was guilty of what was contained in these accusations would certainly be worthy of their opposition. Therefore, these people are not opposing the Rebbe at all. If they actually knew of the Rebbe’s greatness and holiness, they would certainly not oppose him. They would run to follow him with the greatest zeal and enthusiasm. But they are actually opposing a fictitious character of their own making. They created a character who did the things they were accusing the Rebbe of doing. It would certainly be proper to oppose such a person.

The Rebbe said, “ Zei haban zich ois geshnitzt a mentch, un krigen oif ihm – They have carved out a man, and are opposing him.” They are not actually opposing the Rebbe, but the fictitious character they have portrayed in his place.