When I was very young, I asked my father the obvious question: If we live right near the Rebbe’s Shul, and we are always being told how important it is to spend as much time as we could in the presence of the Rebbe, why are we davening in the Sosnowitz Shteeble and not 770?
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I turned to them and asked them, as I saw how dedicated these Temimim were, and asked them if any of them were thinking of becoming Shluchim in Mosdos Chinuch and they all said absolutely not! When I asked them why not, their response was that Chinuch is “second class shlichus” and they would like to be “first class Shluchim”.
Well, well, well, folks, gather ’round for the latest episode of “As the Crown Heights Turns.” Our beloved community is currently starring in its very own sitcom, and it’s turning our home sweet home into a punchline. Let me give you the lowdown on the drama that’s been unfolding.
Just over three weeks ago, the major story of the “tunnels” under 770 broke, leading every Lubavitcher to reexamine the way that they have dealt with some of the extreme elements in Chabad. As the dust settles, and cement dries, the question is now being asked “Will anything change?” Unfortunately, everyone continues to do what has always been done, pass the buck and refuse to take action.
In 5728, on Hoshana Rabbah, the Bochrim independently initiated the expansion of the shul. This historic effort is being echoed today as we bochrim are embarking on a similar journey.
I’m not going to write here about all the craziness that has happened last week and of how big of a chilul hashem and embarrassment we have caused to lubavitch and the Rebbe. What I do want to write about is our response and how things should move forward.
All Chassidei Chabad are shocked, horrified and angry about the events that took place in 770. A few heavily misguided “Porkei Ol” decided on their own – against the will of the Rabbanim, Gabbaim and Askanim, and thus against the Rebbe – to “expand 770”. But it is also very important to break up this story – as everything that happens – and discuss a few components.
I work as a family lawyer and handle many cases in Crown Heights. What bothers me is that we don’t realize that we are doing it to ourselves. The action that was done is terrible, but I believe the reaction we gave to it is worse and is causing more significant destruction. Op-Ed by Chaim Cohen
We are quickly approaching the special day of Yud-Shevat and Chassidim are all preparing themselves for Kabbalas Hanesuis. In addition, it is a time when most parents of Talmidim in the 8th grade are beginning to register their sons in Mesivta for the upcoming year.
At the United Nations, Israel’s Ambassador Gilad Erdan has been a beacon of leadership since the war started, reminding me of the importance of speaking truth to power. Erdan has simply stood up again and again and again – in the UN, in the media, in our community and led. Speaking truth to power.
The US State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals -believed- to have been involved in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank. Will the act of a Jew moving to the West Bank be considered an act of undermining stability, especially if the home was built without US approval? Is this constitutional?
There used to be an old saying among pious Jews: “If you ever want to know the way God wants us to behave, see what everyone is doing and do the opposite.”
We are coming from Yud-Daled Kislev, the 95th wedding anniversary of our Rebbe and Rebbetzen, and it is a fitting time to have an open and honest discussion on the recent trends in Simchas in general and weddings in particular.
Who do you think cares more for you? Who do you think will do better for you in the long run? The fake friend or the one that challenges you, makes you feel temporarily uncomfortable for your improvement and good?
I know that there may be some people rolling their eyes and thinking to themselves that this is impossible to accomplish. I would like to ask you the following questions: 1) Do you know of Shluchim that have made achdus together after years of Machlokes? Are they happier 2) Do you know of communities where the Rabbanim had machlokes for years and – almost overnight – made achdus? 3) Did you ever think that Israeli citizens would unite overnight after months of bitter demonstrations?
The bottom line is if you don’t want to tell your grandchildren that you did absolutely nothing during these times, then you need to actually do something. Op-Ed by Yosef Hershkop
by Levi Y. Liberow – Beis Moshiach Magazine I always wondered what it felt like to be in 770 (or in any shul during Yom Tov) at the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, a war which we just marked its […]
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