Posted to Crown Heights News on

Scuffle Breaks Out in 770 over “Yechidus”

Police officers inside 770 searching for the attacker.

Crown Heights [CHI] — Last night, a brawl broke out in 770 after a Mashpia demanded that a group of ‘Tzfatim’ remove dividers they set up in the back of 770.

The incident began at around 8:30 PM Tuesday night; the Tzfatim set up the dividers in the back of 770 so that “the Rebbe can conduct Yechidus” with the visitors who arrived for Yud Shvat.

The bochurim who were learning in their usual spots for night seder were forcibly kicked out of their seats by the Tzfatim. Upset about the Bitul Torah this “kabuki theater” was causing, they complained to 770 Mashpia Rabbi Bluming, who arrived in 770 shortly thereafter and demanded that the dividers be removed. The Tzfatim refused, and shouting ensued. As usual, the shouting gave way to violence, as one bochur was punched square in the face by a Tzfati.

Another Tzfati, Tzachi Cohen, hit the revered Mashpia in the face several times, until he was pulled away by force.

The bochur who was punched called the Police, who entered 770 to find the thug, but he was nowhere to be found. All the while, the Tzfatim were yelling at the vicitm, calling him a “Moser” and threatening him.

A tzfati by the name of Betzalel Kirenberg threatened Rabbi Bluming, saying “you will pay, and your family will pay.”

If you were witness to this incident and have any additional information, photos or videos, please send them to news@crownheights.info.

Tzachi Cohen

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96 Comments

  • Avrahom

    Where are the Gaboyim of the Shul? Every shul has a person who is in charge. Why do they let these people do whatever they want? I would like to see an interview with one of the Gaboyim of 770 in regards to these things

  • Milhouse

    The bochur who was punched acted correctly. It is explicit in Shulchon Oruch that the victim of physical assault and battery is allowed to masser on his assailant. It is one of the few exceptions to the prohibition on mesirah.

  • If you don-t know don-t comment

    Yechidus never stopped when dollars started. There was yechidus until Nun-Bais etc…

  • Habash

    When will the Hanholoh take some responsibility and stop granting visas to these thugs?

    This violence is nothing less than criminal behavior. Would you tolerate it if a stranger in the street would hit you in the face? Why should it be any different just because the “stranger” is in a shul?

    Hayodayim yedei Eisov !!! Nisht dos is der Yiddisher veg!!!!

  • ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

    enough is enough 770 is hijaked by these mishugoyim!!!! They have to ban them from kvutza if this won’t stop.

  • Cajun Chosid

    revoke their visas and send them back to Tzfat.

    These people are just like the Bet Shemesh rabble rousers and need to be smoked out!

  • It makes no difference

    Iran is saying they want every Jew killed anywhere in the world and THIS is what you are fighting over?

    Bochurim and Tzfatim stop the stupid baby fighting and realize who the enemy is. If someone with a gun comes into 770 to kill a Jew he won’t care which kind of Jew you are.

  • A worried yid

    This article is so biased and one sided against the well intentioned buchurim from eretz hakodesh who grace us with their presence to celebrate biam rebben.

    You should be ashamed of yourself for writing loshen hurra about them and ask each one for mechila!

    You wish you had the hiskashrus to really feel the rebbe’s presence every day like they do! and anyone who is against yechidus in our times might do well with a punch square in the face.

  • eli ezagui

    start building your aek. hashem is gonna flood ch and remove all this evil un ur hood

  • ATT #12

    I would feel the hiskashrus a little more if the people who were being so mekushar would stop hitting people to proove their hiskushrus to the rest of the world especially not with violence

  • rabel rouser

    yes, there is shmutz in our neighborhood. Why do you continually publicize it? stop writing these stupid articles that serve only to breed sinah. You, ch.info, are a huge part of our problem. i know you won’t publish this comment but you should.

  • Zalmen

    While I share the same sentiments towards the tzfatim,and I think they are crazy for doing this – some of your article is factually wrong.

    After the Rebbe stopped yechidus PROTIS in his room he continued having Yechidus KLOLIS for guest, chasanim, bar mitzvos etc which would take place downstairs (sometimes they put dividers to make it a smaller area – which i guess is what these twisted tzfatim were trying to recreate)and continued till Adar Nun Beis

  • Ahavas Yisroel

    Ahavas Yisroel applies to EVERY single Jew – even Tzfatim. To love a fellow Jew, just the same as you, is the basis of our Holy Torah!

  • Ah, the well intentioned Tzvatim...

    #12, “Well intentioned bachurim”? As the saying goes, the road to Gehinom is paved with good intentions…

  • df

    thease fights would happen btween misnagdim and chasidim ansd the rabeim didnt let the chasidim fight…

  • Mashkanta

    In the old days, chassidim of yesteryear inflicted on others a “mashkanta” (a sound beating) for conduct unbecoming of a chosid (in their opinion).

  • Been there

    I was at the Yechidus and could not hear the Rebbe talking, I think it was because of the noisy commotion between the lads.

  • To #18

    And though he;s far from me, across the widest sea, still I’ll al;ways love him just
    the same …
    Send these thugs back across the sea and we’ll love them from there! And avoid
    a chilul Lubavitch at the same time!!

  • very simple

    The Buchor who was hit should hire a good lawyer and sue those in charge of 770 (the same way he’d sue macys if violence happens there and they do nothing about it) I’m sure they’ll try to work out a pretrial agreement at which time he can ask them to “clean up their act”. It’s really in his hand, and he can do it single handed.

    No more questions your honor

  • to #13

    yoel kraus and S.K. etc etc have a lot more ‘hiskashrus’ then the tzfatim correct?

  • TO #13

    I may envy their feeling of hiskashrus but definitely don’t envy their unfortunate brain malfunctions which cause all of this

  • Yevusek

    To #18.

    The Yevesektzia was mostly Yidden (many children of chassidim, and some participated in the arrest of the Rayatz.

    The point is NOT to ch”vsh equate Tzafatim with Bolsheviks. The point is that the line needs to be drawn somewhere. That you choose to keep these bochurim inside the line of acceptance, then that is your right.

    Everyone has the right to be part of the problem. Even under the banner of ahavas Yisroel.

  • In America?!

    Most societies would remove those acting this way, but there may be fear from more violence against any attempting action. Very sad, but I would involve the police to handle it, with protection for those in charge until they are gone.

  • #12

    what have you been smoking?
    the gaboyim and/or rabbonim need to get all this apoikorsus out of 770. Also the “nebbicels”in the viber shul who put up a picture of the Rebbe and Rebbitzen and worship it(sic) R”L. Avoda zara in 770!!!!
    STOP THE MADNESS.

  • :-!

    Not at all SHOCKING. This is normative among this horrible group. They have always acted selfishly with a total neglect for the rest of the community. They need to be removed. How far will we take this? A moron threatening the mashpia and his family. The weak hanhala won’t do a thing, neither will their gabuim.

    I wish I had an answer.

    Removing the entire Yeshiva is too political and wouldn’t actualize.Not all of them are in fact act this way, but many many are. The group has too much support in the community for there to be any proper results. If I was a mishechist I would condemn them, they are giving all you flag waivers a bad name. Some of my best friends are flat waivers–but this is ridiculous.

    Who ever has a viable idea please voice it.

  • pic 2 and pic 4

    it says it right there on the sign in pic 2 and pic 4:
    Sakonas Nefoshos!!!
    770 has become a dangerous place!

  • MENDY

    BH
    BSD

    IH THE SHUL THAT CHARGES PEOPLE TO GT TZIDAKAH
    IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE WE WELCOME MOSHAICH WITH ACTS OF GOODNESS AND KINDNESS WHAT A FARCE

  • surveillance cameras

    770 Eastern Parkway is wired with surveillance cameras covering the whole outside and inside of the building. Any act of violence or theft is bound to be caught by the cameras.

    It’s high time Aguch/Merkoz release the footage anytime these incidents accrue . In fact they should release all the footage they collected (and saved) throughout the years.

    Also, those being attacked by these Meshichist Mossrim thugs, should not hesitate to press charges and have these thugs prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

  • Will the Mashpia press charges?

    I hope the Mashpia is going to press charges. If he doesn’t stand up and fight the insanity then what hope is there!

  • Lets do something!!!

    TO ALL WHO THE REBBE’S KOVOD IS DEAR TO THEM:

    MERKOS, THE LEGAL OWNERS OF 770 HAVE SECURITY CAMERAS ALL OVER 770. THE CAMERAS HAVE ALL OF THE FOOTAGE.
    THE MASHGIACH BEING BEATEN
    THE BOCHUR BEING PUNCHED.
    AND THE PACK OF TZFATIM THREATENING THE BOCHRIM WHO BROUGHT THE POLICE.
    SOMETHING CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS!
    MERKOS HAS TO BE PRESSURED TO RELEASE THE FOOTAGE AND PREVENT SUCH ACTIONS TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE

    ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
    AD MOSAI!!!

  • To #13

    If the Tzefatim actually felt that the Rebbe was there do you think they would beat up the Mashpia in front of him? Or anyone else? There is no hiskasharus here, only convenient excuses of a spoiled child looking to see how far he can push the limit.

    The mashpia was attacked, what has the yeshiva done to punish these bochurim?

    The gaboyim, hanhaloh and rabbonim need to unite and rid the community of these violent misguided bochurim.

    When a child is doing something dangerous to himself and even moreso to others a strong hand needs to be taken. This is no different.

  • Milhouse

    This is not hiskashrus, it’s a *parody* of hiskashrus. The more mekushar you are the more you should be offended by this circus. That the participants don’t think they’re parodying or mocking just makes it sadder.

  • Thinkster

    It’s BEAT DOWN time.
    Punch a Rabbi in the face? I hope they find the behema that did that and beat the Tzvat out of him.

    Just saying.

  • Sfas a truly chassidesh community

    Where are your Rabbis?? Sinas chinum, loshon harah ?? This is worse than sensationalism. Where do get the right to print whatever you want?? Is there any supervision?? The amount of free hatred that you have printed is utterly astounding.What are you waiting for , another kenes about ahavas yisroel. This is not the way of Lubavtich this is not mentschkite this is the opposite. Does agnus nefesh to the Rebbe mean anything to you?? Who made up the term “tzfatim”?? I B”H have the zechus to live in the Lubavitch community in one of the four holy cities of Eretz Yisroel, Sfas. This community stands out in the true ways of Lubavitch . If it is putting ahavas yiroel into practice among the community, if it is outreach, if it is the mosdos, ifit the level of chassidishkite and tznius.

  • disappointed

    Yes for starters where were the gaboyim & who runs the shul The gaboyim or the Bachurim? If these 2 bachurim are not immediately thrown out & at least sent back to Eretz Yisroel on the next plane then what is it worth? Thes Bachurim should be told either they follow the rules or get the hell out! If the Gaboyim cannot or will not do something about this then immediately bring in New Gaboyim who will! The same with the Mashpiim!.It also seems now that the Rabbonim have to get involved because the Hanholah & the Gaboyim aren’t doing there job or don’t want to!

  • Mendel Hendel

    I bad. It’s all my fault, I promise these sickos the goldene medina & a chance to see the Rebbe B’GUF (after all, they never saw the Rebbe, never enjoyed a sicho or maamer, & the only thing these ignorant animals know about Chassidishkeit is how to fight & scream Yechi).

    Instead of deporting THEM, maybe you should deport ME. After all, I started it. Actually, it’s fun to sit back & know I am a puppeteer! They do whatever I say and the Gabboim are just as dumb. Whoo-hoo!!!!!

  • Easily understood

    Every time there is an issue with the bochurim you will have some naive commenter asking , ‘Why?’.

    Most of us in Crown Heights and Anash in Israel know the reason things are the way they are.

    The hanhola administration in 770 is completely emasculated.

    The provocateur from Israel struck a deal with the hanhola many years ago to become a supporter and fundraiser for the Yeshivah of 770.

    He bring in money for the Yeshivah, the dorm buildings and the salaries.

    He does them a service that would have otherwise been their domain and responsibility.
    A huge headache off of their shoulders.

    He and the bochurim get a pass to do whatever they please.

    The New York community is quiet because the burden isn’t
    theirs any longer.

    The same applies to Rabbonim.

    Always follow the money ! It is elementary.

  • no one special

    Historically, there have been multiple Lubavitches; Kapust, Malachim, Nevel etc.. The Rebbe seemed to createa monolithic Lubavitch. Now it is reverting to the multiple Lubavitch model. This could be a dramatic set back for Chabad Houses & Shluchim who have difficulty ‘spinning“ this current disintegration of ”unified” Lubavitch.

  • Kuti

    Mendel Hendel promised the zfatim , who ever hits a non mishachist, can go out with Schwei’s daughter.

  • Well Intentioned?????????

    RAELLY??!!

    I don’t know. I remember when the Rebbe was with us and I had my own encounters.
    First of all, since WHEN did the Rebbe EVER hold yechidus downstairs?????!!!!

    These people are either sick and delusional or they know that what they do is sick & have a different agenda.

    Who ever heard of a respected Mashpia getting hit by a bochur??!!

    These guys want recognition?! For WHAT??!!

  • Press charge on MOISRIM and ROIDFIM

    Press charge on them don’t be afraid
    If you press charge on someone who is a ROIDEF Bcs his hitting Jews and going to hit more Jews

    It’s call Beeing a GOIEL not a MOISER

  • me

    i successful prosecution will prevent legal re-entry into the US. as was said above the evidence is available but is the will to act available.

  • ATT: crownheights.info

    why publicize this disgrace?

    if you are in search of more info to find the attacker, then post signs in 770 or on Kingston Ave.

    its not right to drag all off Chabad Chasidim into this disgrace.

    do you really hope to get info from the wold wide community to help you solve this crime.

    its not the way to use you’re publicity power.

    crownheights.info you made a mistake.

    this is not a public service.

    you are spreading the shame and disgrace —- of a few nut-jobs —- onto all of us.

    will this type of “news” encourage people learn more chassidus?

    is this what the Rebbe would want?

    feh.

  • mendoza

    oh yea !!! the tzfatim are going to bring moshiac .. yea sure !!!
    give me ah break !!!! with fist fighting ..sure
    this is what willahshanski taught them in tzfat ?

  • Milhouse

    #56, what are you talking about, yechidus klolis was always downstairs.

    And people did engage in quiet violence right in front of the Rebbe, when someone stood in someone else’s “mokom kovua”. Obviously they thought the Rebbe wouldn’t notice. So maybe these Tzfatim also think the Rebbe won’t notice what they’re doing. Maybe he was on the other side of the mechitza or something. (cf Eliyohu and the kohanei habaal, unfortunately)

    As for “respected mashpia”, to them he’s a kofer be’ikar and deserves no respect! To them they and only they are the true Lubavitch, and they think the Rebbe does whatever they want, so they are r”l his bosses too!

  • IMPORTANT LESSON!!!!!!!!!!!

    y would you do this?!?
    if you would not fight when the rebbe is there then why would you fight now???????????????
    when ever you do things you should be doing it and would be fine if the rebbe was watching you do this!

    IM POSSITIVE IF THE REBBE WAS WATCHING THIS HE WOULD BE UPSET!
    AND THESE PPL. WOULD BE EMBARRASSED SO Y DO IT NOW? ITS LIKE THE REBBE IS WITH US NOW! JUST LIKE ALL THE SONGS AND EVEN THE REBBE SAID SO!

  • really disapointed

    @#13
    you and all the rest that support this type of chilell Hashem need help.
    How can any of you keep up this kind of craziness and support those who continue it?
    You think the Rebbe would want this kind of craziness in his shul?
    Get your heads on straight. Go learn something and stop hitting people in the name of the Rebbe, stop wasting your time with nonsense. This isn’t bringing “ELIGHTMENT” to the world. It just pushes them away from the EMES.
    If people come all the way from EY” to perpectuate this kind of craziness they should be banned from coming here.
    They can learn Torah over there.

  • Srulik from Troy

    For all those who are quick to criticize CH Info – Don’t Shoot the Messenger! Clean up your own house before you spread out arond the world teching others how to clean theirs!

  • #61

    I stand corrected on one point, but I think we basically agree on the principle of the matter, you just added more to it. Thanks.

  • There was yechidus downstairs

    I was at my Bar Mitzvah yechidus (was group then) down stairs exactly where the Tzfatim tried to make theirs. To now say there was never yechidus there is an outright lie. Also, the gevirim had their yechidus there.

  • #66

    See comment #65.

    You must be a part of the crowd, you’re very quick to condemn an honest mistake as a lie.

    Shame on you!

  • EMES

    There needs to be a special class that shows the funeral of the Rebbe! And his Burial! To show the year that he was born.and thie year that he was niftar.

    Enough is enough!with this stupid nonsense! People. need to be educated ! The tzfatis are out of control ! The same for anyone who doesn’t acknowledge that the Rebbe is only here in spirit. And that he was actually niftar.

  • Yossel

    Are you all aware that the streets of Yerushalayim ran with RIVERS of Jewish blood because of internal fighting between Jews during the churban of Bayis Sheini??? Anyone fighting or blasthing this kind of news for everyone to argue over should be ashamed of themselves…a Jew is a Jew is a Jew…let them have a corner in 770 and leave them alone. Enough is enough….

  • A E ANDERSON | Auckland, New Zealand

    I am embarrassed to admit that I learned in Safed, when Wilschanky, et al., opened the yeshiva years back, before we could even dream of things like “mechichisten” in our worst nightmares.

    However, after spending some time with Safed Masphia R’ Moshe Orenstein during his visit to Clown Heights last August, it seemed to me that he was actually rather moderate from the messianic standpoint. I wonder if the use of Tsafati, as a pejorative label, is perhaps overreaching. To classify a whole city by the outrageous acts of a few of its mentally ill residents is quite over the top, I think.

  • the other side

    to the writer of this blog – thanks but i think u can speak nicer about “””“””Yechidus“””“” and by the way blooming si not a REEEVVVEEERRREEEEDDDEEE Mishpia hes a mishgiach and hes been makeing problems for mishiachistim all the time, he stands by dollars to see which bachurim go and then worrys to take away there Efi-David and that thay should not get Smicha Ect.. he a real “LETS” his brothers on the other hand r big mishichistim they’ll say yechi in a minyin if no one els is around, and his older brother in ohalay torah put together the well known sefer “besuras hageulah”. We want moshiach now yechi hamelech hamoshiach strong emunah in moshiach till the end!!! Yechi times 3!

  • antimesira

    To all those justifying, excusing and even blaming/ostracizing CHI and all of us (with false and phony self-righteousness) for voicing our opinion and saying it as it is, I say this to you…

    Those who are kind to the cruel, will be cruel to the kind.

  • BE NICE!

    Oh, my dear kinderlach, from Tzfas to 770. Why can’t
    you just be nice and kind to one another. If you have
    a disagreement, why beat on each other? Don’t you have a Mommy or Tatti to go to? Get them involved. Isn’t that a better way?

  • Milhouse

    #76, you do realise, don’t you, that piece is an ironic description of how the Tzfatim are treating 770 now.

  • It Could be Worse

    To #78 Milhouse

    You do realize, don’t you, that the point of above piece (in link comment 76), was meant to be sarcastic.

  • Matisyahu was right!

    I’m a yungerman living in CH with my family and children KA”H but when I think of what Chabad has become, it makes me want to shave my beard and go live a ‘normal’ life. I am sicked that I’m actually a member of what has become a cult in every sense of the word, and yet, there is nobody to talk to about this…..

  • INSANE !!!!

    what a disgrace!

    Is this what Lubavitch is coming to ???

    Have U ever thought of the repercussions, in the frum world

    This is plain insane , bordering on avoda zarah ,soon all Lubos will be ostracized , not being able to be part of a minyan, or be a shochet or intermarry in the frum world.

    Most yidden dont diferrentiate meshichistim and non meshichistim or tzfatim or whatever fancy labels u wanna pin on any Lubavitchers , we are all thrown in the same big pot.
    Time for action and those who got guts should stand up and vomit all this non sense , from our communities , ENOUGH!!

  • Moshe

    Avoda Zara plain & simple…that’s why I’m not Lubavitch anymore start learning how to think like real Jews and stop only worrying about stupid issues Cholov Stam so you can feel superior to every one

  • Milhouse

    #79, some people don’t get irony, and I’ve had people point me to that link as if it were serious

  • Yossi

    What makes me furious is not that a 20 year old, or even 100 20year olds are acting like idiots, (20 year olds acting like some 20 year olds) but that they were nurtured and encouraged and even brain-washed to act this way by 50-70 year olds in Tzfas, and then the 50-70 year olds in 770 don’t want to make waves and let everything fly, and pretend it’s all normal. (As in the comments who critisize the website for posting this.

    Well these 50-70 year olds are the Chillul Hashem and the laughing stock of all other Jews and non-Jews around the world and no wonder that other 20 year olds are turning off in droves. And if you think they still look frum, ask them if they have tzitzis on and the last time they dovened mincha or maariv.

  • Anyone know: What is a mashkanta ????

    Anyone know what #22 is talking about – a “mashkanta”, and refrence to chassidim beating up other yidden? (I checked google and asked chassidic non-chabad friends -but couldn’t find any info at all)

  • Mrs. Segal

    #55 Kuti- you are so grub! How can you lambast Rabbi Hendel like that and to drag the Rav’s daughter into this is beyond decency! I’m ashamed at the way you express your feelings.

  • It Could be Worse

    To #83 Milhouse

    Then those people are idiots and dull.

    No need to waste time conversing with such stupid (humorless) idiots.

  • U.R.

    A. Would they do this in front of the Rebbe? BC I thought that was the whole pt of this delusional act….
    B. Ok I’m going to lay it like this….Y’all are crazy. I’m a BT and you are all making me regret the day I even associated with Chabad. I want nothing to do with this. And all of you who agree with me and have the POWER to stop this element of Chabad are just as guilty for not acting. There’s a reason why the only BT’s that stay Chabad are the wierdos….what NORMAL person would want to associate with this? I’m finding myself more and more wanting to personally separate chassidus from what Chabad-Lubavitch has become. What a mess!!!! GET THEM OUT< OUT< OUT! Chabad needs to be more like what was presented to Oprah and not this zoo!

  • A guest for a minute

    Doesn’t anyone ask a Rav anymore? Shame on you all! Except for #53′ no one mentioned what the Rabbonim said about it.
    I’m only a guest on this website, but as the saying goes “oreach l’rega ro’e kol pe’ga” (a guest for a minute, sees what needs to be fixed). It is ovias that there is a big lack of yiras shamiyim with most of the contributors to this blog.
    By the way,it is a criminal offense to pretend you are someone else. Whoever wrote #50,beware. Maybe Rabbi M.H. will ask the Rabbonim if he should report you to the police. It just might be that the Rabbonim will say yes…

  • spacedout BT

    Even in Kiryas Yoel disagreements between the two brothers’ Chasidim are settled by shoving matches- punches are never thrown. The tzfasniki who are showing their willingness to shed blood are forfeiting their share in c’lal Yisrael, and I don’t mean just Chabad. People will remember when it comes to supporting communities- who deserves tomchus and otherwise.

  • spacedout BT

    If you can’t avoid confrontation with rishaim (well, that’s who they are) then you must separate yourselves from their presence and go to a part of the building where the troublemakers are not welcome.

  • Ezra

    Raise your hand of you really think that emotional stability is what binds all Lubavitchers…