Op-Ed: Proper Mechitzos Are Necessary In Shul, What About at the Ohel?

by Chaim W.

In Lubavitch, there are values that define who we are at our core.

Firstly, we are committed to Halacha and Shulchan Aruch which we keep Halacha fully and seriously. But for a Chassid, that is only the beginning. We know how the Rebbe called himself “A Shulchan Aruch Yid”. The name Chassid means someone who lives Lifnim Mishuras Hadin, beyond the letter of the law. Going beyond the minimum is not an extra stringency for special individuals. It is part of our identity, something we see from the Rebbe and the Rebbeim, and something that shapes how we live.

Secondly, our value is the name we carry. We are called Lubavitcher’s. This name is more than a community label; it is the name of the Rebbe and our Rebbeim. By carrying it, we represent them. That is why a Kiddush Sheim Lubavitch – before Yidden and the wider world – is something we go above and beyond, and would do anything – to honor.

With these two foundations, let’s move on.

The Ohel is not just another place that happens to be run by Lubavitcher’s. The Ohel is, in a very real sense, the face of Lubavitch. It is where the world meets the Rebbe. It represents who we are and what we stand for. There is nothing to hide and nothing to pretend. 

This is Lubavitch. This is us.

One of the most beautiful and inspiring things about the Ohel (and I recommend taking the time to notice and appreciate this) is the constant stream of people who come. Day and night, all year long, any day of the calendar, people travel to the Rebbe. Yidden from every background come. Lubavitcher chassidim, other chassidish groups, yeshivish and litvish Yidden, modern Orthodox, secular Yiden, people from Russia, America, Eretz Yisroel, France, and everywhere else. Even Lehavdil, Goyim come with respect. It is a living picture of how the Rebbe belongs to the entire Jewish people and has an impact on the whole world. That alone is something to stop and appreciate.

But precisely because the Ohel is such a central place for Klal Yisroel, the responsibility there is even greater.

The Ohel is a place where people Daven. Not just for a moment, but often for long stretches of time. People stand there for five minutes, for thirty minutes, sometimes for hours, pouring out their hearts. In a Shul, we understand that proper Mechitzos are necessary in order to help people focus on their Davening. We know how strongly the Rebbe spoke about the importance of kosher Mechitzos. If that is true in a regular shul, how much more so in a place like the Ohel, where people are trying to reach deep levels of concentration and emotion in their tefillos.

I want to be clear about something. I am not coming from a Halachic authority standpoint. That is not my field, and I am not trying to Pasken or present this as a formal Halacha. I am speaking from the perspective of a Chossid who cares about the standards we live by and what it means to represent Lubavitch, especially in such a central place.

From our own standards as Chassidim, a Makom Tefillah of this nature should reflect those values.

There is also another side. Because the Ohel carries the name Lubavitch, it sends a message to every frum Yid who walks in. Many people leave deeply inspired. We all hear stories of Yeshuos, of tears, of connection. But many (if not most – of the Frum world) also leave with a question. Is this the standard of Lubavitch? Is this a normal Frum standard?

A few weeks ago, I heard from a Belzer Chossid who came to the Ohel for his first time. He described how emotional and powerful the experience was. He davened for a long time. But then he shared that he felt puzzled. He felt uncomfortable, to the point that he held his hat down to block his view so he could focus… He came out inspired, but also confused. In his world, Mechitzos are obvious. He was left wondering how this fits with Lubavitch.

This is not being said to criticize, and not to point fingers. It is being said because we care about the Kavod of the Rebbe, and about Kiddush Sheim Lubavitch. If any place in the world should reflect our highest standards, it is the Ohel.

At the same time, we must acknowledge with gratitude the tremendous work that is invested there. The Ohel complex is clean, organized and super welcoming. There is always food and drink, a comfortable environment, and a constant effort to help the many visitors who come. That takes dedication, and it deserves appreciation.

This is simply a respectful attempt to raise a conversation. After speaking with many, including respected Mashpiim and Rabbanim, it seems that this concern is shared. The hope is not to criticize, but to increase awareness and to think together about how the Ohel can fully reflect the values of Lubavitch in every area.

And may it be that very soon, we will not need to come to the Ohel in this way, because we will all be dancing in the Beis Hamikdash Hashlishi – בקרוב ממש!

Please feel free to submit any feedback at: chaimW770@gmail.com