New regulations are being enforced in 770's main shul after a Gabai Yosef Losh was injured this past Shabbos day and almost lost his eyesight. "I can't see in the eye and have to smear ointments," Losh told COLlive as he left to Moscow where he is scheduled to lecture.

By COLlive reporter

770 is cracking down on sweets after one of the Gaboim, Yosef Losh, was injured this past Shabbos day and almost lost his eyesight.

Losh, who stands on the bima platform during the reading of the Torah in the main synagogue at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, is pelted with candies customarily aimed at a nearby chosson.

One of the candies hit Losh in the eye, leaving it badly wounded.

An expert in astronomy, Losh was scheduled to lecture Tuesday and Wednesday in Moscow, Russia, on the 28 year solar cycle of the sun in preparation for April 8, 2009 when the rare "Blessing of the Sun" is recited.

"I can't see in the eye and have to smear ointments," Losh told COLlive Monday as he departed to his flight.

"It's serious damage and I'm not sure in finished with it. The doctor told me that statistically I should be fine. I will have to see a doctor in Moscow too."

Losh said that he was hit on the white part of his eye, and added that "if it would have hit a little more to the center of the eye - the black part - it would be 'forget it.' It was a miracle."

The Gaboim at 770 are considering new regulations for the candies traditionally thrown in shul with cheers of Mazal Tov for the soon to be married, Losh told COLlive.

"If a Chosson wants an Aliya (in the central minyan), he must give us a deposit of $100. If someone throws a hard candy at him, he loses the money," Losh said.

Party favors which will include raisins, popcorn and toffee will be available for purchase by Yosef Yitzchak Kratz, the sole provider of Kiddush services in 770.

Losh also suggested that if hard candy is tossed, the Kiddush purchased with Kratz will be cancelled. "You got to go all they way," Losh concluded.