1967–5727, after during a Purim farbrengen, the Rebbe objected to rabbis who engage in interfaith dialogue with Christian leaders. Such activity, the Rebbe explained, violates the Torah’s prohibition against exploring other faiths. Second, those who presume to speak on behalf of Judaism have often spent little time studying Torah — “they are less knowledgeable about Judaism than the priest is!” Third, when a Jew is desperate for approval and acceptance from gentiles, it is demeaning to the Jewish faith. “They are so delighted to receive an invitation from someone who is not Jewish. If a priest or bishop is willing to take a picture together, what could be better than that?” The Rebbe concluded that the lesson of the Purim story is that Mordechai, a proud Jew, refused to partake of Achashverosh’s feast or bow down to Haman — but ultimately it was he who earned the king’s respect and saved the Jewish people.
14 Adar II
1. Torat Menachem vol. 49 p. 205
