In the mid-1960s, the interfaith dialogue movement gained significant momentum, particularly within non-Orthodox Jewish circles. The movement—centered on theological exchanges, joint religious forums, and public discussions between clergy of different faiths— was viewed by many as a welcome step toward bridging the divide between Jews and gentiles and combating antisemitism. Others embraced it as an opportunity to affirm the truth of Judaism—not only to non-Jews, but to fellow Jews as well—and saw in it a means of strengthening Jewish identity and religious commitment.
The Rebbe, however, adamantly opposed this trend. He viewed interfaith dialogue and inter-religious debate not as vehicles for understanding or unity, but as profoundly harmful to Jewish identity and spiritual clarity.
The Rebbe’s first public statement on the matter came in the form of a comprehensive letter addressed to the head of a group of spiritual leaders who had inquired about his position in Adar of 5725. Shortly after it was written, the letter was released by the Rebbe’s secretariat through the Lubavitch News Service—Chabad’s official communications outlet—and widely circulated across the Jewish world.
The Rebbe’s public stance reverberated throughout the interfaith community. In the weeks that followed, several proponents of the interfaith movement wrote to the Rebbe in disagreement. The Rebbe responded with a series of letters, restating and elaborating upon his perspective with clarity and depth.
A few weeks after the letter was released, the Rebbe addressed the topic publicly during the farbrengen of Acharon Shel Pesach, 5725, stressing the dangers from a strictly halachic prospective. The Rebbe further connecting the issue to the deeper themes of the Pesach, highlighting that one of the first commandments given to the Jewish people in Egypt was to reject and separate themselves from idol worship. A Jew, the Rebbe continued, must not be concerned with the opinions of the world but must instead distance himself from foreign religions and the spiritually corrosive ideologies of the time.
Presented in this booklet are the Rebbe’s original public letter, along with two follow-up replies. A second installment, to be released next week G-d willing, will feature additional correspondence.
The full talk is published in Sichos Kodesh 5725, vol. 2, pp. 57-61; Toras Menachem, vol. 43, pp. 225-234.
For more on the Rebbe’s stance on interfaith dialogue see English letters dated 15 Iyar, 5725, circa 5725, 16 Av 5732, and additional letters under Interfaith Dialogue on the Rebbe Responsa app. See Igros Kodesh, vol. 26 letter 9796; 9862; vol 27, letter 10472; Hebrew letter dated 1 Iyar, 5727; The Rebbe’s talks of Purim, 5727 (Sichos Kodesh 5727, vol. 1, pp. 447ff.; Toras Menachem, vol. 49, pp. 205ff.); Bereishis, 5736 (Sichos Kodesh 5736, vol 1, pp. 167-168), and 6 Tishrei, 5748 (Toras Menachem 5748, vol. 1, pp. 111ff.).
