Why Josh Can't Be Left Alone

I managed to visit Boro Park and Williamsburg on Purim, and even got a Beracha from the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg. It was thrilling, being able to be in a different world on Sunday, and back at work on Monday. Even in Mea Shearim, I was buffered from my "other life" in the world at large. But as amazing as it was, it made me sad to see the state of Chassidus today. I don't understand all of the feuding. Isn't a rebbe just a source of individual inspiration? Can't each choose his own? Can't somebody decide not to be Chassidiche, but still be frum? Isn't it a lifestyle choice, a personal path to perfection? Why isn't the road more fluid between those that choose a more isolated lifestyle close to a particular Rebbe, and those that choose the frum world at large? I suppose it's my naivete at believing in Shivim Panim, multiple approaches, to interpreting a Torah lifestyle. I may think somebody is too liberal or too strict to ensure their own survival, but how does that endanger my choice? Can't I espouse my own opinion and urge others to follow, but accept that others will proceed at their own peril? Can't we accept that history will pave the final course?

I guess the fact that I haven't posted in awhile can be seen as a good thing. I haven't stopped opining, but I haven't been able to keep up with all of the discussions on the blogosphere. I'm buying a coop in Washington Heights, and I've been dating a girl. Seriously. No really, I'm buying a coop. But since I'm dating, I figured I'd let all my friends online give her some advice. You know, because you guys know me best.