Is �X� a mashichist?

Mentalblog.com Inbox, Brookline Professor:

Is �X� a mashichist? I'd like to use him to fix my tefillin but would like to know first. Do you know anyone you could *discretely* ask about this?

Tzemach Atlas: I trust you would like an honest G-d fearing Jew who is versed in law to check your tefillin. All of the above characteristics make a Lubavitcher much more likely to be Mashichist. In fact messianic belief is more widespread in Lubavitch than people think.

Here in Brighton after they merged Pinchas Krinsky (Yudel�s brother) and Gurkov Shules, all Pinya Krinksy was able to bargain out was removing the Yehi sign from above Aron Kodesh to the side of the shule. When I was in CH last week I asked a person whom I remember as a sort of intellectual if he was a Mashichist. In response I got a look as if I miss the fundamental part of Judaism to ask the question. Many Mashichist are now lead secret life of Marranos. I doubt anyone in our days is prepared to waste energy and aggravation to confront them as some did in the time of Shabtai Zevi. They also tend to be aggressive in real and virtual life, witness two web sites that were recently hacked, etc.

But I have to confess. I personally find Mashichist to be more likeable than their opponents. Having said that I am of the opinion that we are in the midst of the cultural upheaval and it should not be swept under the carper. Now the �X� probably does not check the tefillin himself, he is just a transaction man. He will give your tefillin to a Soyfer �Y� who is also a Lubavitcher and therefore there is a 75% unscientific probability that a Lubavitcher Soyfer is a Mashichist. But I will encourage you to proceed to check your tefillin with that person because it just does not feel right to take parnosa from a sincere Jew like �X�. G-d help us all�