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Tamir: “No Contract Until Issues Are Clarified”

Today’s scheduled Installation Ceremony will continues despite opposition from Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, and Zaki Tamir, chairman of the Vaad Hakohol, agreed not to sign a contract until the Semicha issues are clarified.


In a meeting this afternoon between the Rabbi and the chairman, Rabbi Osdoba told Tamir that he categorically opposes tonight ceremony. Tamir pressed that he feels that the ceremony must move forward, to which Rabbi Osdoba responded that if he does go ahead with the ceremony he should go and speak the truth, and announce that he is not signing any contract until Rosh Chodesh Adar, to allow time for the issues to be clarified.

While on his blog Zaki Tamir wrote:

A group of yungerleit committed to seeing peace and closure in the community waited for Rabbi Osdoba to arrive in 770. Rabbi Osdoba did not appear in 770 as expected, but rather went to his home. He refused to meet with our group, however he did agree to meet with me privately.

We met in his home, and the following things were brought out at the meeting:

1. Rabbi Osdoba will not appear, because he is opposed to the hachtorah until there is verification of an original smicha document.
2. I asked Rabbi Osdoba for permission to conduct the hachtorah and for me to appear and give the Vaad Hakohol’s endorsement. Considering the difficult position in which the vaad hakohol finds itself – between the psak of the zablo and letter I received last night from Rabbi Osdoba – he granted me express permission to attend the hachtorah and to conduct all of the arrangements associated therewith, in my capacity as Chairman of the Vaad Hakohol.
3. Rabbi Osdoba also instructed me that I was not to sigh a contract until Rosh Chodesh Adar, the deadline established by the zablo, in order to provide for an opportunity to verify the existence of an original smicha document.
4. I spoke this morning to Rabbi Shwei via telephone. He has assured me that he endorses the hachtorah and will appear.
5. Rabbi Rosenberg has confirmed that he will appear at the hachtarah.

Please note that since I took office June 13th 2010, I have never taken any steps affecting the Vaad or beis din without consulting the rabbonim in advance.

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39 Comments

  • thank you rabbi osdobo!

    this is the full quote:

    “Rabbi Osdoba also instructed me that I was not to sign a contract until Rosh Chodesh Adar, the deadline established by the zablo, in order to provide for an opportunity to verify the existence of an original smicha document.”
    note the words: “until Rosh Chodesh Adar, the deadline established by the zablo”

  • chairman

    but you do things on your own without your two partners. Being chairman does not give any right to do so.

  • CR

    This Semicha issue is beyond silly. Some of the greatest Rabbonim in living memory never had Semicha. R’ Moshe Feinstein, ZT”L, never received any Semicha yet there is no disputing his greatness as a Posek and Rav; the Rebbe cites the Igros Moshe extensively in his halachic letters so clearly this is not an Ikuv.

  • cars

    who cares about the contract!
    He ca be the Rabbi without a contract
    Rabbi Osdoba should not ok Tamir partiipating of coronation

  • Transparency

    Transparency, Clarity, Follow through, Resolution, Getting the word out to the people who need it in a timely manner
    Zaki your great, keep up the good work!

  • crying in CH

    why are you making this “installation” now when nothing gets signed until rosh chodesh adar ( i assume adar II). Are you afraid that someone else will grab Braun. Have no fear. that ain’t happening. what is an installation? the only one i ever heard was when we installed an anti-virus in our computer.

  • mendel

    the instalation should not take place until the other 2 rabbonim are at peace and agree to take the third as a chavir. this is wrong. i get the feeling that Rabbi Braun is pushing himself in fast because something is wrong, there is a skeleton that cannot be found out. ess shmekt nisht gut. this is not a way to start. im sorry…the people whom you want to come tonight wont come, the hardworking chasuva chevra wont come if there is controversy.

  • i-m hungry

    Hey guys listen up. Whether you sign contract or not, is not my business. I
    promised my kids supper, at the big event tonight. So it better happen. If you want I could sign a contract with you people, for supper everynight. I hope there’s also entertainment. G-d bless the Vaad and our rabbonim.

  • very disappointed, not impressed

    Zaki, frankly, I don’t believe that the Rav gave you permission, and if so, it was extorted under duress. How could the Rav give you permission to conduct a hachtarah that he is against? No one should see this as lending any kind of legitamacy to this underworld procedure. People stay away.

  • SHAME SHAME SHAME CHANGE THE HEADLINE!

    SO. RABBI OSDOBO SAID NO CONTRACT UNTIL ISSUES ARE CLARIFIED!!!! NOT ZAKI!

    VERY MISQUOTED AND MISLEADING!!!

  • ruvi

    G-d FOrbid Reb Moshe feinstein had semicha from the gedolim of europe!!!!

    I was in his study in NYC and saw them hanging@!!!!

  • CROWN HEIGHTS RESIDENT

    DID YOU CONSULT WITH YOSSIE HACKNER?????????????????
    ARE YOU A DICTATORSHIP OR DID THIS VAAD HAKOEL GO TO YOUR HEAD?????????????????

  • Zaki Tamir is NOT TRUTHFUL

    Zaki Tamir states that he has never taken any action affecting the Vaad Hakahal or the Beis Din without first consulting the Rabbanim. What a lie! He planned, organized, coordinated, put up signs and basically made the hachtarah a fait accompli, and only THEN, at he 11th hour, asked Rabbi Osdoba for permission! What a farce! Who does he think he is fooling?

  • C.H. Yid

    Why is Fishel Brownstein and Yossi Hackner letting Zaki make decisions without first consulting them?. I’m so happy Zaki has permission from Rav Osdoba to follow Shulchan Aruch, and obey a Psak, that he agreed to follow in writing. Zaki, is playing both sides of the fence, and is making a mockary out of the coronation. Zaki, you are not the dictator of Crown Heights.We want to hear from the other members of the Vaad.

  • mordy

    we got rid of moshe rubashkin and now we got some one who is worst .a new dictater zaki . why dont we hear from hackner he was also elected.

  • ONLINE VOTE NOW.. BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

    THIS ATTEMPT TO SHOW APPEASEMENT IS TRULY A TRICK THOUGHT UP– VERY LIKELY BY THE POLTERAK-HENDEL DUO.

    AT THE SURFACE LEVEL “ONLY”– THIS OFFER LOOKS GOOD, BUT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT ONCE BRAUN IS INSTALLED THERE IS NO GETTING HIM OUT.

    IF THIS IS INDEED ACCEPTED, THEN THE COMMUNITY HAS LOST.

    WE CANNOT ACCEPT THIS ABSOLUTELY FALSE PRETENSE OF A PROMISE.

    WE NEED A THE “ONLINE-REFERENDUM” RIGHT NOW.

    AS SOME EARLIER COMMENT SUGGESTED THIS “ONLINE VOTE” CAN BE DONE VERY QUICKLY BY C.H.INFO IF ONLY THEY WANT TO. THIS WILL ADD LOTS OF WEIGHT TO ALL OF OUR ARGUMENTS, AD IT IS ANNONYMOUS. LET’S DO THIS BEFORE IT IS TAKEH TOO LATE !!!

  • TO #3 READ RAV FEINSTEIN-S BIO

    TO # 3

    WHY DID YOU LIE?
    WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION?

    I KNOW THE FEINSTEIN FAMILY ON A PERSONAL BASIS. I KNOW IN POINT OF FACT THAT RAV FEINSTEIN RECEIVED SEVERAL SEMICHAS
    FROM THE GREAT LITVISHE GEDOLIM OF THE ERA.

    READ HIS BIOGRAPHY AND STOP LYING JUST FOOL US.

  • Reb Moshe

    Reb moshe had smicha from the biggest gadoilim vus hacksto a chanik….a rav needs smich and shimesh no matter how brilliant…what are you guys making things up? in the real world a rav is a serious thing, he paskins shalus al pi shimush,
    not just a pupet for a party.

  • Dear Mendel #4

    You and my sons have Semicha.

    So do 75% of men in Crown Heights. Yes, you’re right, you, my sons & 75% of CH men are more qualified to be Rav.

    Which begs the question: of all the QUALIFIED candidates, including Rabbi Bogomilsky, you stupid men had to pick this loser???

  • Don-t trust Tamir he-s a liar!

    BE VERY CAREFUL!!!

    Does a hachtorah LEGALLY mean this person is now Rav? Don’t ask Tamir, ask a REAL lawyer. Because my guess is, Tamir has just pulled the wool over Rabbi Osdoba’s eyes. He is completely untrustworthy.

  • cHAIM

    ZAKI TAMIR STOP THINKING YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    THIS WHOLE BUSINESS HAS GONE COMPLETLY TO YOUR HEAD. WHO NEEDS TO SIGN A CONTRACT. IF THIS BRAUN WAS VOTED BY THE COMMUNITY HE IS ROV THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS WHERER YOU NEED A CONTRACT

    SAME PROBLEM WITH ROSENBERG ITS AMAZING THAT WITH THE SECOND PSAK WE DONT SEE THE REST OF THE BEIS DIN AT ALL SUDDENLY ROSENBERG BECAME A DICTATOR.

    ALL YOU PEOPLE THIS POWER HAS GOT TO YOUR HEADS

  • No Comparison!!!!!!

    How, in one comment, can one compare a WORM to the Gadol Ha’Dor, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, whom the Lubavitcher Rebbe referred to as the POSEIK HA’DOR????

  • Where is the sense

    Why would anyone in their right mind make a hachtara when the entire issue of smicha is in doubt. It’s like an airline offering the pilot a job but will wait to see his pilot’s license in six weeks. Any other community will first see the smicha and then make the hachtara not the other way around.

  • mendel

    A) whats takeh the machlokes in sydney broin was involved with? B) moishy rubashkin should have been able to be re-elected to vaad and bogomilsky should be rov and ch would be on the way at least to some sholem in the ghetto.

  • big deal

    whats the big deal to get smicha. can’t he be tested again just for a piece of paper? everyone is just looking for fights

  • big deal

    whats the big deal to get smicha. can’t he be tested again just for a piece of paper? everyone is just looking for fights

  • Shochad- Ki Hashochad yeaver

    I spoke today with Eli Cohen who is very involved in
    CHCC and in the 3d Rov nomination, he told me that so far R’ Rosenberg received already a little over $80,000.00 (in 2 payments of around $40,000.00) but that he will still send a bill of more then twice as much….His price is $400.00 an hour, same price applied to his time of traveling to and from Crown Heights.. till here is what Eli Cohen said….now I think that any one who pocketed so much money is Completely Meshuchod…I believe that Rosenberg is POSSUL to pasken on this Din Torah bc due to this money he Must say that Braun is Kosher ,if not then his reputation is gone, also then give back the money etc..etc. therefor Rosenberg is the biggest NOGEA BEDOVOR and you could NOT trust him…Rav Osdoba is asking a few weeks till things will clears out, why is the Shwey ppl- including Tamir- in such a rush to make the hachtora immediately- it smells very strong, in fact it stinks

  • A longtime community resident

    shocking!
    Appointed in the Rebbe’s without a smicha – it is a disgrace for the Rebbe’s Kovod!

  • Rabbi Mattis Kantor, Eastern Parkway, NY

    You continue to miss the point and the real issue as far as a Rov for the Rebbe’s hoif (courtyard) is concerned.

    1. The Rebbe, in his clearest statement on today’s situation, said publicly that chassidim should take the queries (they are bringing to him) to chassidisheh Rabbonim. (He made them shluchim for his voice and opinion. Surrogates.)

    2. NO-ONE CLAIMS BRAUN HAD SMICHA BEFORE HE WAS MARRIED. The Tzinner “document” was somewhere around 07 (there are currently double-digit Broindelech KAH).

    3. For some 10 years Braun disobeyed the Rebbe. If he didn’t have big designs he would probably still have no attempt at smicha.

    There cannot be a Rov in this schunah who blatantly ignored (ignores – leaving Sydney? – who knows what else) the Rebbes Horaa.

    PERIOD.

    END OF STORY.

    Anyone who [participates in this farce tonight, INCLUDING RABBI OSDOBA BY ACQUIESCING, will be included in my hazmana to the Din Tora in Beis Din Shel Maaloh. They will know all the names and the mother’s names.

    Be warned. I am not predicting the outcome, but be aware that you now go to this sham bemesiras nefesh. If you are a true chosid this would not hold you back.

    I am prepared to face 7 generations of the Neshama Klaliss in the Tziyur of 7 heiligeh gufim, and to be wrong.

    ARE YOU?

    Boruch Dayan HaEmess.

  • shocking

    nothing more in appropriate than appoint somebody as a Rav in the Rebbe’s shchuna with out a smicha – when the Rebbe instructed over 35 yrs. ago that every bochur should get smicha

  • dear #22, love number 4

    i didn’t vote for braun reh-tard. this all could have been avoided if the self-hating mishochistin didnt feel the need to push their agenda and vote in a ROV who lives in ch who has expereince, bogomilsky. ch is messed up. love number 4

  • HASHGOCHA PROTIS

    THE PARSHA SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO THIS ISSUE.

    YISRO INSTRUCTS MOSHE RABBEINU TO CREATE A BEIS DIN– ONLY WITH MEN WHO POSSESS THE FOLLOWING CREDENTIALS:

    HE TELLS MOSHE (PARAPHRASING)…THE BEIS DIN SHOULD BE COMPRISED OF “MEN WHO ARE UPRIGHT, G-D FEARING, MEN OF TRUTH, MEN WHO HATE MONETARY GAIN”.

    BASHERT THAT THIS IS TODAY’S TORAH PORTION, ISN’T IT?
    THIS IS AN INSTRUCTION TO US…TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THE CANDIDATE BROIN POSSESSES THE PROPER CREDENTIALS.

    IF THE ALTER REBBE SAYS “WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE TIMES”, THIS IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE.

    SEEMS LIKE THE ALTER REBBE HIMSELF IS TELLING US THAT THIS HACHTORA MUST BE DELAYED TO ESTABLISH BROIN’S QUALIFICATIONS.

  • CONFUSED

    We are having an “Installation Ceremony” or “Hachtara” of someone who may or may not become the third Rov? If we are unsure till Adar and waiting with the contract till then, then what is the purpose of the Installation / hachtara?

    This is so confusing – it makes no sense al all!!

  • Lawyer lies

    The words of the “liar for hire” are not to be trusted. I agree that this has got to be disinformation.

    Thank you #35 for your thoughts on “living with the times,” this person from “down under,” the one who can’t produce an honest document of Smicha, certainly doesn’t possess any of the Torah’s qualifications even to be a leader of ten. Is he “UPRIGHT” – No. Is he “G-D FEARING” – No. is he a “MAN OF TRUTH” – No. Is he a “MAN WHO HATES MONETARY GAIN” – No.

  • 770 full

    Seems like the hachtara was rushed in order to assure a large attendance. When else from now till rosh chodesh adar would there be such a large crowd of people mingling around 770? even without an hachtara the place is packed….