Gil Student recently published the book Can the Rebbe Be Moshiach? Proofs from Gemara, Midrash, and Rambam that the Rebbe zt"l cannot be Moshiach (Universal Publishers, 2002). The book sets out to prove that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is not alive nor is there any way that he might be Moshiach (the messiah) -- and these objectives are said to be accomplished. The author also makes an effort to show that there might be philosophical and legal problems with believing that the Rebbe is Moshiach, but does not arrive at a concrete determination.

The book is basically a series of sources cited from classical Jewish books that supposedly prove or disprove the contention of the author. Those that are in support of the author's theory are explained to do just that. Those that seem to counter the author's theory are shown to have been taken out of context, and once the proper context is displayed it becomes clear that there is in fact no conflict. The author acknowledges that some of the points in the book may be refuted. He cautions the reader not to let anyone discredit the entire work by arguing on one point.

I have read this book and recognize that it may be the most thorough collection of sources and arguments on this topic. Moreover, I believe that the author sincerely feels that he has conclusively accomplished his objectives. But I also know that this book is inherently flawed. 

In this publication I do not intend to resolve the question of whether the Rebbe is alive nor whether the Rebbe is or can be Moshiach. My personal perspective on this issue has already been published (kovetz Moshiach u'Geula vol.7, p. 17) and is no secret. My goal here is only to show, point by point, that every single argument made in this book is deficient. This book, whose sole purpose is to discredit the idea of the Rebbe being alive or being Moshiach, has utterly failed do just that. 

Important Note

Many of the sources quoted in this book have been discussed before, in fact many of them have been refuted. Some of these refutations have since been rejected, and some of those rejections have since been discredited. As I mentioned, I do not intend to make any case for or against the Rebbe being alive or being Moshiach. All I plan to do is discredit the value of the author's proofs as they are stated in this book. Therefore, while I am capable of addressing and refuting these issues in a depth far beyond that of the author's, I will suffice whenever possible with the weakest refutations, simply to demonstrate that the author failed even to provide an intelligent analysis on the most basic level. Thus, if you see an item being refuted that you feel can be justified with further explanation, note only that the information provided in the book alone does not justify the conclusion.