Rabbi Braun Lauds Preparations At The Ohel For Gimmel Tammuz, Highlights The Kashrus For Kohanim
As tens of thousands prepare to visit the Ohel over Gimmel Tammuz, Harav Braun of the Crown Heights Beis Din ha released a letter lauding the preparations and highlighting the Kashrus for Kohanim to visit.
Free Translation
B”H, 30 Sivan, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, the Month of Redemption, 5785.
To whom it may concern,
In response to many inquiries, I am pleased to inform that the arrangements at the Ohel in recent days has been made in the most beneficial manner for Kohanim. Special thanks should be given to Rabbi Abba Refson who invested time and energy to arrange all of the above, and is always available at the Ohel looking after the welfare of all visitors.
This was all arranged under the direct supervision of esteemed Torah scholars shlita, who have overseen with a watchful eye that everything be in the best manner, for the benefit of the Kohanim, namely, Rabbi Mendel Hakohen Vaisfiche who assisted in the above, and Rabbi Menachem Rotenberg who supervised from close all the technical details.
Obviously, this is provided that there are no changes in the partitions and the current arrangement. Thus, it is essential not to meddle or interfere with them.
Likewise, it is understood that the Kohanim must exercise caution regarding all laws of ritual impurity, both during these days and throughout the entire year.
And in particular:
A. Upon leaving the Ohel, Kohanim must walk in the middle of the path so as to be four tefochim (a little over a foot) away from the graves on both sides.
B. Inside the Ohel structure, a Kohen is prohibited from extending his hand above the partition. The Pan can be handed over to someone else to be placed by the Ohel.
C. “Warn the elders about the young”: We are cautioned not to bring a young Kohen into a place prohibited to him, and care must be taken not to seat him on the fence or to extend his hand or body above the graves.
D. A special path has been prepared for women. A Kohen’s wife in the ninth month – according to some authorities, she should refrain from entering burial places – is permitted to pass through this path, but she must take care not to extend her hand above the partition near the graves.
E. It is forbidden for anyone, even someone who is not a Kohen – to enter the Ohel with an umbrella that could impede the Kohanim. Moreover, one must not lean on or pass one’s hand beyond the partition if standing under the roofed area.
