IN ALL TIMES
The Torah commands us to follow the instructions of the rabbonim in each generation. Chazal explain that no matter the greatness of the leading chachomim, we are obligated to heed their guidance. Though Yiftach was no comparison to Shmuel HaNavi in greatness, the people of his generation were nevertheless obligated to hold him in equal regard.
The Sefer HaChinuch writes that one who disregards their advice is forfeiting a mitzvas asei and deserves great punishment: "For this is a firm pillar upon which the Torah stands, as can be understood by anyone with understanding." (ס' החינוך מצוה תצה)
Chazal say that one should regard the current chachomim just as those from the previous generation. One should not say, "If Rebbi Akiva would be with us, I would learn from him; if Rebbi Zeira and Rebbi Yochanan were alive, I would learn with them." Rather, he should consider the chachomim of his own generation with the full respect. This is the meaning of Shlomo Hamelech's words, "Do not justify yourself by saying that the earlier days were better than these." (קה"ר פ"א, ר"ה כב סע"א)
ALL RABBONIM
Chazal say, "One who doubts his Rebbe (hameharher achar rabo) is regarded as if he doubted the Shechinah."
A chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek once went to hear Reb Yisroel of Vilednik. As the tzaddik spoke, he thought to himself, "I don’t need to listen to him. He's not my Rebbe; I have a different Rebbe."
Reb Yisroel sensed his thoughts, and said, "Hameharher acher rabo... – Whoever frees himself from listening since this isn’t his Rebbe, for he has a different Rebbe (acher), is regarded as if he doubted the Shechinah...."
The chossid, who was standing behind Reb Yisroel, assured himself, “Reb Yisroel is certainly not referring to me.”
But Reb Yisroel added, "Hameharher achar rabo... – Whoever has doubts when he is behind (achar) his Rebbe is regarded as if he doubted the Shechinah...." (ר' מענדל ע' 110 , ספורים חסידיים ח"א ע' 49 )
DESPITE DIFFERENCES
The author of Ketzos HaChoshen, a staunch misnaged, was the rov of Staria, the hometown of many chassidim of the eminent tzaddik, the Chozeh of Lublin. Feeling that the chassidim were defying the Shulchan Aruch, the rov reproved them, and when they ignored him, he pronounced upon them a cherem of 30 days. The townsmen adhered to his ruling and kept their distance from the chassidim, who after a while decided to go off and spend the rest of the 30 days with their Rebbe in Lublin.
However, to their surprise, the Rebbe told his shammes not to admit them for another two weeks and a few days – for as long as the cherem was still in effect. When they were finally admitted to his presence, the Chozeh reprimanded them for not fully respecting their rov. He explained that the Torah requires one to respect a talmid chacham absolutely, despite his possible lack in some area of avodas HaShem. (סיפורי חסידים זוין תורה ע' 406 )
After the Mezritcher Maggid passed away, each of his talmidim was allotted a region in which to spread the teachings of Chassidus. Russia was apportioned to the Alter Rebbe. Reb Shlomo Karliner, one of his colleagues, once considered moving his community of chassidim to a town in the Alter Rebbe's territory, and he asked the Alter Rebbe for permission.
The Alter Rebbe agreed on three conditions – that Reb Shlomo would not speak disrespectfully of the non-chassidic lomdim, that he would not belittle the natural yiras Shomayim that Yidden have, and that his chassidim would be encouraged to attain kedusha on their own and not rely solely on the kedusha of their Rebbe. Reb Shlomo agreed to the first two conditions but not to the third, and finally settled elsewhere. (לקו"ד ח"א ע' 282 )
Even when the chassidim suffered at the hands of the misnagdim, the Alter Rebbe urged his chassidim to treat their rabbonim and talmidei chachomim with respect, despite their sharp differences in avodas HaShem.
After the Alter Rebbe was imprisoned due to a libel perpetrated by several misnagdim, the chassidim were reasonably angry, and were once again tempted to voice their opinion against the misnagdim.
In a second letter to his chassidim, the Alter Rebbe warns them not to speak negatively about the talmidei chachomim "who are not of our group": "Even if these talmidei chachomim speak out against the Baal Shem Tov and his talmidim, it is the listener who must do teshuva, since it is his own negative behavior which has caused them to speak like this... HaShem is my witness that the above is all true and not ch"v a charade due to fear..."
The Alter Rebbe concludes: "I am sure that for the true chassidim these words will be enough. However, since there those who profess themselves as chassidim, who think they will impress other chassidim by speaking negatively about the misnagdim, I therefore demand that anyone who hears another speak disrespectfully, even in jest, report it to me, so that I will know to ban them from visiting me." (אג"ק אדה"ז ח"א ע' ק)
CONSIDER
Are we really supposed to believe that the rabbonim today are of the same stature of the rabbonim of old? How then can we have a genuine feeling of respect?
How can one respect a talmid chochom knowing that he has opposing views to one's own Rebbe etc.?
