'Years from now, this work will likely be seen as a primary text that formed
part of the internal Jewish debate.'
N. R. Deutsch, Choice
'The growth of Lubavitch does cause concern, and Berger¹s book must be read to why it can be a danger to all of Judaism. This book is a brilliant exposition of the parameters of contemporary messianism . . . both the author and the publishers must be commended for their courage and openness.'
Uri Ben Alexander, European Judaism
'A passionate account of one manıs involvement in a controversy that may
well be one of the new centuryıs major religion stories.'
Alan Cochrum, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
'Compelling . . . imperative reading, as it carefully and systematically
documents the true nature and scope of contemporary Lubavitch missionary work.'
Allan Nadler, Forward
'Passionate, powerful, brilliant . . . records not only conviction, but
evidence and argument . . . This is simply the most important book of Judaismnot
about Judaism but of Judaismto appear this year, and the most urgent in decades.'
Jacob Neusner, Jerusalem Post
'A profoundly fascinating and at the same time a profoundly disturbing
story of admiration turning to adulation, thence through mass hysteria and mysticism
to messianism . . . authoritative.'
Geoffrey Alderman, Jewish Journal of Sociology
'A courageous and very troubling memoir . . . His criticism cannot be easily
dismissed . . . Berger has performed an important service to world Jewry by
raising an issue that for too long has been swept under the rug.'
'Lifestyles Magazine
'A courageous and important book . . . It is courageous because it is the first book of its kind and is directed against an icon of Orthodoxy. It is important because it has something important to say to a number of different constituencies . . . carefully and clearly argues, and generally persuasive . . . enhanced, in this regard, by its memoir form, which draws the reader into Bergerıs legitimate agony as his awareness of the problematics of Chabad messianism grows along with his equal despair that no one else seems to care.'
Lippman Bodoff, Midstream
'Until now, no one has made the case as forcefully as Berger . . . If its
jıaccuse is ignored and its author dismissed, it will mean that the leadership
of Orthodoxy is too timid to confront a major challenge to Jewish faith, and
that would be tragic indeed.'
Jack Riemer, Moment [a similar review by Jack Riemer appeared
in American Jewish World]
'Throughly engrossing book . . . Berger's abiding Orthodox religious commitment,
deep familiarity with religious texts and ideas, and specialized training in
historical scholarship have singularly positioned and qualified him to embark
on this defence of Judaism . . . Astute historian that he is, he offers trenchant
and compelling explanations for this lack of aggressive Orthodox reaction to
this latest false messianism . . . an articulate, thoughtful, and passionate
book.'
Benny Kraut, Shofar
'Carefully and vigorously argued . . . a compelling, jarring, deeply disturbing
polemic and precisely what Professor Berger intended it to be: "[A] memoir,
a history, a religious tract . . . an indictment, a lament, and an appeal."
It is passionate, yet scholarly and precise. Its message is emotional and religiously
inspired, yet its careful treatment of evidence bears the unmistakable mark
of a seasoned scholar.'
Yaakov Kermaier, Tradition
ENDORSEMENTS
'The principle is right, the passion is right, and the deeply classical nature of David Berger's book is very moving. It is rare that the scholarly study of Judaism so intensely engages with living Judaism. Berger's erudite ferocity is exhilarating.'
Leon Wieseltier