By COLlive reporter
Sadly, the story about the extremist group of bochurim terrorizing the main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway is far from over.
On Sunday, despite guidelines stated by the Gabboim, these bochurim wearing Yechi yarmulkas and yellow Moshiach flags violently pushed aside those who stood in a pathway they created through the crowd inside the Shul.
It’s been years that they have been creating an imaginary “shvil,” a pathway in the bustling shul that they believe the Rebbe physically walks through to participate in their davening.
They attack anyone standing or walking through it for disrespecting their beliefs.
Following the Shul’s closure last week due to safety inspections, the Gaboim released a set of rules to be followed for behavior in the Shul. Sadly, upon reopening, many of the bochurim continued their violent behavior, with videos shared of shoving and fighting and various injuries reported, perpetrated by extremists to anyone in their way.
On Sunday night, Gabboim Avrohom Holzberg, Yosef Losh, and Zalman Lipskier stated that such a ‘shvil’ would no longer be allowed in the 770 shul.
These new instructions follow previous ones written on Friday in response to the bochurim digging and breaching the 770 walls and foundations, causing an international chilul Hashem.
VIDEO: Rabbi Simon Jacobson, renowned speaker and choizer of the Rebbe, addressed the issue in his Sunday program Chassidus Applied:
An excerpt from: https://youtu.be/leQ5EXP0w0I
Keep it up. Don’t give up. Lubavitch is not hefker.
You can’t shake up the entire Lubavitch because of a few crazy Buchrim.
That’s what they wanted and everyone fell for it including the Rabunim.
Making changes to 770 is what they wanted to do. Changing the rules in 770 is like helping them make the tunnel bigger and bigger. Everyone should stop talking about it. Finest.
Security Guard Bouncers To Protect Chabad’s 770
https://gofund.me/262fbdb1
The cost for proper control for a year is: $1,401,600 (see more details on the gofundme)
If you want to change the security reality of 770, donate to this fundraiser.
Instead of having yidden fighting yidden, have goyim do it instead!
https://gofund.me/262fbdb1
Thank you for restoring glory to our central home at 770
Thank you shmully Avtzon for trying your best to enact a change to the horrible daily illegal and disgraceful actions of the “tzfatim” and their enablers
Don’t call them “tzfatim”!
You know well that behavior has nothing to do with the Tzefas yeshiva. Rather, you’re just trying to stir politics — stop it!
They are a complete disgrace to lubavitch and deserve to be kicked out of 770, they are acting like complete terrorists and this must be dealt with before its too late
And terrorism has nothing to do with Islam
Is it money? Government funding?
Something is up here.
There’s no mystery or secret,nothing to see beyond the surface. Its Simply lack of leadership and dysfunction among supposed leaders. The perfect opportunity for misfits to take advantage of unfortunately.
Rabbi Avtzon needs to take over the Yeshiva!
It’s time for young blood to take over
This goes much more than just the tunnels. The entire jewish world is watching and asking Chabad “how can we support you with all this craziness going on?”
This is The Rebbe’s Moisad Tremendous Achraius Devastating Chilul Hashem Complete lock of Management Unprofessional Attitude/Response to something so destructive humiliating. Unbelievable Short/Long Term Damage . Complete Hafkervelt This is EXACTLY what will not bring Moshiach. After all what took place They are back in 770 like nothing happen. For us in the front line around the world, they have flushed Lubavitch down the toilet, and this is just being swept under the carpet like nothing happen. This is the core of all problems NO ONE IS IN CHARGED , they just want to have titles and collect the benefits… Read more »
What I see in 770 with my own eyes is that there are some people standing in the middle of the “shivil” to make the bochurim angry and now the bochurim are to blame? all the people who are trying to fight with the should be taken out of 770
No one according to torah has a right to raise a hand to another yid and is called a rasha for doing so!
They have no right attacking anyone. People have a right to stand in the shvil
They’re Standing there to make anyone angry, they’re standing there because this mess needs to stop now
Are Jews living in Israel to make Arabs angry? I have seen many people unaware of the desire of a small crowd to enforce their brand of “emunah” and”histkashrus” pushed, hat and kicked. The Rebbe has made it clear numerous times that violence distances Moshiach and often used term starting than those who use violence have no connection to him. The Rebbe also aggressively protested Bochurim being involved in shul policy.
Bochurim should be busy learning, not trying to take up space in a crowded shul
Yes, the bochurim are to blame. There is no shvil. People have a right to stand wherever they like, and these people who want to make a shvil can go to Hell, literally. They have no right to be in the Rebbe’s daled amos, let alone to run the place. The Rebbe is not in a body, does not enter 770 at specific times, and does not need room to pass through. The Zohar says he is present in all the worlds more than he was when he was alive, and the Tanya explains that this is precisely because he… Read more »
Why do adults have to be supervised?
Some people may be of age but are not adults
Send links to donate to hire more security guards, we need more. Let’s keep the momentum going, there actively assaulting people and intimidating them on social media since Sunday, we must act, get to 770 shachris, mincha, marriv take your phone out record, report, and repeat until 770 is returned to the thousands of lubavitchers worldwide who for years have been mumbling their annoyance at 770 being disgraced.
The term “mesechist” is wildly used in lubavitch jargon as referring to someone that believes in saying (wearing?) The “Yechi” slogan. Some even believe that the rebbe is still physically alive, but they don’t attribute the “life” to implicate physical movements that would nesitate a “shvill-pathway” for the Rebbe to come inside. I understand that the term “mesechist” is more widely known to those outside the chabad circle and therefore you made this choice of language. But to most self proclaimed “mesechist”, they don’t follow most of the “tzfati” ideology. I humbly suggest that you change the title to “the… Read more »
Tzfatim not meshechistim
There’s a big difference
COL keeps getting it wrong
They aren’t all tzfatim, so extreme bochrim would be a better title for them
Some are from CH and are american not israeli
We need the community to show up and take back 770
And we need to hold the gaboim to their word and make sure they enforce their policies
…are not necessary, not how the Rebbe speaks, and not helpful.
B”h, sanity has returned.
I’m not sure which planet your living but nothing is changing just from a silly letter
While antisemitism is out of control all over the world, a war in Gaza , hostages still in Gaza , US Universities are factories for antisemites should I go on ? Sanity has returned!! Seems sanity has been gone even before the Shoa day of October 7th
First of all You shouldn’t be addressing these bochurim as a separate movement which you have nothing to do with, we have Yeshiva world news doing that, we don’t need COLlive to do the same Yes, there are Meshugoyim and they belong in a mental institution, and what happend in 770 was disgusting and a massive Chilul hashem, and something needs to be changed to make sure it doesn’t happen again, but let’s be clear here, what’s really happening is that, from a bochurs perspective, there is a major lack of guidance and understanding in what a Lubavitcher bochur should… Read more »
This has nothing to do with sichos, it’s about lunatics attack fellow jews and the police and performing dangerous illegal construction. Your rant questioning the emunah of the schunah is a non sequiter.
As I made perfectly clear the lunatics belong in a mental institution, but that’s not the point, every article and every fight on both sides are just taking advantage of the havoc that’s going on right now with out genuinely believing in anything . The point is that if these bochurim were educated with Torah and would be living genuinely with the sichos of moshiach, this would never happen, it happend because the shchuna is not representing anything the rebbe stands for, so bochurim take matters in their own hands, and do what they think is right, but as I… Read more »
The Bochurim standing in the shvil aren’t aren’t violent, they just are fed up with how the Rebbe’s shul is treated and how most shluchim are embarrassed to bring their Baale batim inside
You are very right and a genius and you know how to put stuff in perspective
After all these years, the gabboim finally decided to get their act together. Never thought I’d see the day.
What act together? I’m not sure what your referring to
Putting out a letter and doing absolutely nothing to anyone who disregards the letter!?
We’re not talking about kids in school when the principle says something everyone listens
When the tzfatim make a shvil from now on, what exactly are the gaboim going to do to them???
Useless gaboim, they should be overthrown
Would you suggest they do?
The shvel, the pathway is a source of inspiration from me and and many Jews around the world a source of pure faith that the Rebbe is still here , and is about to be reaveled as melech hamoshiach
you don’t get more than the 4 amos around you. a shvil is public encroachment.
only a shul’s authority decides what may be done during its services and in its property (e.g., nusach, minhag tefiloos, etc.). So if the gaboiim decide to make a shvil, that’s their business, but not the congregants.
What would be interesting is if this shul has paid membership, and whether its membership has voting rights, and if such voting included policies, including how to act regarding what it considers how to honor the rebbe.
Dear Friend
Please bring your sources in Halacha for this phenomena.
Does it have the support of the BDoCC?
Actually I clearly rember rabbi shwei standing respectfully on the side when there was a shvil
That can no longer be verified.
Do the present Dayanim give it their sign of approval?.
Rabbi schwei stood aside of the shvil to avoid being physically attacked
The source is unity. If I feel this way, and I won’t change my mind. The only way to achieve unity is if you all agree with me.
And unity is the most important thing. Remember, Sinas Chinam is what destroyed the beis hamildosh!!
Nice comment
Maybe you should join Kabbalah classes
They say it’s the BIGGEST source of inspiration
My inspiration is when chasidim learn the Rebbe’s Torah, follow his directives and bring a positive impression of chabad to the entire world. That’s how you show the Rebbe’s presence
The shvil is not the problem. The the pushing or violence is the problem. When dealing with normal people as you say the shvil is a source of inspiration.
So I assume you are calling for all Jews to unite behind your very unpopular opinion, and finally stop fighting.
We need unity, everyone should agree with me!
There are shluchim all over working so so very hard.
People are laughing at Chabad now.
This scares shluchim that depend on donations.
Where’s the essence of love and kindness being taught at these Yeshivas?
I’m pretty sure there are more important things to be worried about than donations. It’s comments like this that make me think these boys were right, ChaBaD wasn’t intended to be the Salvation Army of yidden.
Are you volunteering to financially support these shluchim with the means to put basic food on the table?
without donations there is no shul in which uncontributing freeloaders can opine as to how to use the shul.
And, huh? what? chabad is in fact designed to be the salvation army of yidden
Looking to start a group, that our end goal is to remove all extreme groups from 770, if I get 10 likes I will add an email address to join.
What’s the email?
It sounds like your pretty extreme
You’ve got 55 likes so far 👍. Let’s do this with unity. We’re not trying to hurt anyone, just working on restoring law and order and respect.
I pray these people get the help they need, but for now it is not responsible to allow them in 770.
Turning a blind eye for so many years glad you woke up .glad your no longer weak . It’s gonna be much harder now. But it must be done. So many of my non Lubavitch friends would question what is happening in 770 . Like their husband not handling it ( growing up frum ( And I told them come see other Shul’s this is not the Rebbes way ! I grew up going to the Rebbe! Going into 770 now doesn’t feel good. I connect my way to our Rebbe. Just not by going to 770 It’s dirty. Eating… Read more »
I remember walking into 770 and smelling cigarette smoke like crazy
This is too little too late people
The term “mesechist” is wildly used in lubavitch jargon as referring to someone that believes in saying (wearing?) The “Yechi” slogan. Some even believe that the rebbe is still physically alive, but they don’t attribute the “life” to implicate physical movements that would nesitate a “shvill-pathway” for the Rebbe to come inside. I understand that the term “mesechist” is more widely known to those outside the chabad circle and therefore you made this choice of language. But to most self proclaimed “mesechist”, they don’t follow most of the “tzfati” ideology. I humbly suggest that you change the title to “the… Read more »
COL I don’t approve of what the bochrim do at all. Not at all. It’s not okay. Not a bit. But it’s not necessary for you to make a huge deal. Your articles about this have been so disgusting. Why create further unrest in Lubavitcher than necessary. We know what’s happening. It’s not cool. But no need to write these mean articles. Thank you!
The fact that no one stopped the insanity of the shvil since 1994 is the reason we are here.
It isn’t the fault of the press when the people do crazy things. It’s the job of the press to bring the crazy to light and pressure the people with power to fix things
From 1992 until the late 2000s there was no shvil. It started recently by a new generation
are you a paying subscriber of COL? Why is your opinion on what a private enterprise on the free internet should do, of any value?
However theses gangsters are no longer students in the Yeshiva – so which “Yeshiva” is responsible to stop them?!
How are they now in the USA without Visas???
They are mostly Americans my friend.
And even Israelis don’t really need visas anymore.
מעז יצא מתוק –
now is the time to make 770 a normal place again, a place that should be a proud for chabad and the rebbe
All talk and no do
What is this statement helping exactly???
Look how well the last statement helped… about not hitting… yeah, great work everyone
We are proud of our boys for the big huge emuna that the Rebbe is chai v kaim so yes to the shvil
Lol
ניט א צווייטע איינשטיין
Notice they still sign off the letter with Yechi as though this is necessary. It basically invalidates everything else they write in my opinion. This idea that this one phrase should begin and end everything is absurd and the start of all the trouble.
So maybe change your opinion so you wouldn’t have a problem with it
this is one small step in right direction in putting 770 is the right place there’s alot more to be done that anash will feel comfortable going there, hire guards to enforce it otherwise it won’t happen by itself
Thank you
I’m not understanding why these. “Bochurim” are not saying every minute they have Tehillim for the hostages and eretz Yisroel
Because they have a Seder learning.
They should also post a letter that smoking inside or within twenty feet of the shull is strictly forbidden
Do we know who supports all tzafatim? Maybe it needs to be addressed to them? With no support tzfatim are nothing, 770 needs to be run by the gabboim, like any regular shul. Tzafatim have no voice to control it
And the “yechi” signs in the shul…The Moshiach flags… all of these contribute to the atmosphere that these hoodlums crave for and live off. They all must be taken down.
Ever since all the events that have happened last week I’ve been reading all these Op Eds, emails, and comments, every yukle has an opinion about this “these mishugoim need to be shipped back to Israel!” “The gaboim need to take control” “enough is enough”, all the same stuff, it’s very easy to say all these stuff but tachlis how do you propose to actually get control of 770?! Let’s face it unless you plan on bringing down the national guard these so called terrorists are not going anywhere, and it’s not like a couple of guys who you could… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more
The 3 flagship organisations in consultation with CL inc need to work on a unified plan to manage and redevelop 770
Ever since all the events that have happened last week I’ve been reading all these Op Eds, emails, and comments, every yukle has an opinion about this “these mishugoim need to be shipped back to Israel!” “The gaboim need to take control” “enough is enough”, all the same stuff, it’s very easy to say all these stuff but tachlis how do you propose to actually get control of 770?! Let’s face it unless you plan on bringing down the national guard these so called terrorists are not going anywhere, and it’s not like a couple of guys who you could… Read more »
It pains me to say this, but it might be time to put the Rebbe’s chair & Shtender in the library!
Before it’s too late
A radical statement but one worthy of consideration. I’m sure there could be endless conversation about how to address the rebbe’s role nowadays and how anything physical of him fits into today’s space. Lots of fuzzy areas how to make a tidy picture of 2024’s daily life. So many considerations. Ohel. His house. His room. His shul spot. His farbrengen spot. The 92-94 balcony. Whether how he acted with respect to his rebbe (the prev rebbe) is how people should do the same for him and his, or that’s for a rebbe to rebbe, and unless you consider yourself rebbe,… Read more »
This issue will eventually need to be faced.. it will be painful and heart wrenching but unavoidable.
One thing is certain G-d will guide the process.
Better put it in library before an extremists steals it. Oh they wouldn’t?! Really?! Like they wouldn’t break the walls of Bais Chayeinu!
We all know it isn’t the original chair and shtender. A good copy. Originals have been stored away.
This tunnel business, even though the action of it was grob and lacked kabbolas ohl and all that… nevertheless, the world was one way before it happened and now it is another way. The only way it went viral worldwide was because the Rebbe wanted it that way. Lubavitch and the Rebbe and 770 is now on people’s lips. We all believe that the Rebbe is moshiach – whether we maintain the Rebbe is in Gn Eden and “coming back” or whether we believe the Rebbe is here “b’gashmius” (see Dvar Malchus, nun alef and nun beis). This was “bigger”… Read more »
I thought Hashem controls the world but thanks for the chidush
Agreed.
The Rebbe said to publicize the sichos of 1991-1992. Beis Rabbeinu sheb’ bavel is one of them. 770 is the holiest site, for every Jew. So yidden have to hear about it. Would be better in a positive way- spreading tje truth of those sichos. So people can be makabel pnei Moshiach.
Please do not make sweeping generalised statements in the name of Anash .
You do have the right to express your own opinions and views..but no more.
There was a certain decorum and grandeur (always remarkably peaceful) when the path was made at the end of davenning. It seems – from a comment above, that other people stood in the middle of the path and the moshiachists got upset with that and pushing ensued. Why did those people have to disturb the path? The result is that after all these years of peaceably maintaining the shivl – which is the way the minyan has been ending… now. TYRANNY is reigning, it has arrived, in banning it. This is big and REALLY negative! This is not live and… Read more »
The issue with the Shvil is the philosophy on which it’s based on. These people are not being Mekadesh the Rebbe’s name in any way. They make their own rules, own halachos, and enforce them accordingly. Who gave them the audacity to call the Rebbe for an Aliya? To add him to a minyan for Hatoras Nedorim? These actions are blatant desecrations of Halacha, Chabad’s dignity, and Yiddishkeit. So when “Antis” step into the Shvil, it’s not to incite violence, or anger or disrespect. It’s a last-ditch attempt to break apart the decades-long Chilul Hashem, Lubavitch and Rebbe. There is… Read more »
really boils down to if there is halachic and legal authority in 770. If yes, based on what, who that is, can they exercise it, and what’s their position on any activity, including wall signs, prayer chants, and shvil… If not (as pirkei avos says) civil war will reign.
Just bochurim taking up space in 770 to mark their “turf”
If the yeshiva revokes our visas we can return through Mexico lke the millions of migrants without visas
If the behavior is consistent with the rules and expectations of the Yeshiva Administration visas to potential students would be issued.
Those potential student who do not want to abide by the above should not be permitted to enter the Yeshiva.
Bochurim follow rules, they do not set the agenda.
My friend, I’m praying for you.
What’s happening is very concerning, and very clearly shows that the people involved need a lot of help and Tefillos.
This pains me. And I hate the fact that we are left with no choice but to ban fellow Yidden from 770. Please be responsible and get the help you need. You deserve it 💙. Lotsa love
Why in such an era of suffering should so much hatred comme around and arouse!!! Especially from chabad! Even ending up on Arab social media!
Wake up Yidden!!! Accept each other difference!!! Accept the decision of the ones in charge on ALL SIDES… and shout out to storm the Heaven that Hashem should send us Moshiah revealed NOW! No time to waste! Espiacially in making it worse!
Not allowing the path right now or allowing it is it the decision that will help the problem??? Common!!! Where is the ahavas chinam!!!????
Hopefully the Gabboiim will stand strong and follow through on the positions they have taken.
Extremists can longer dictate the agenda.
Additionally , a new election for Gabboiim is long overdue, 770 needs to be run by a group chosen afresh by popular vote every number of years as per the constitution.
The election of a third Rov to the BDoCC will definitely help strengthen the running of the Shul.
Simultaneously the planing process from Aguch in consultation with others to expand and modernize the whole 770 precinct can commence.
My understanding is that the Gabboim are in charge. Therefore there is,no need to have Yechi type of signs hung up only signs that pertains to the the shul like, dare I say, “No talking ….” With the help of a,security guard(s), just have them taken down. When one sees a flag coming “out of nowhere” stop them and have the flags, removed. Once, twice, three times … keep doing that until it will stop and bring a universal atmosphere to this Mokom Kodesh!!
And then what?!
What’s your plan? That we’ll go back to our normal life?!
It’s time we actually start thinking about what the rebbe was so passionate about for years, I know a lot of people don’t like hearing it “moshiach”.
Instead of ripping down signs and blocking the shvil, let’s actually do something
Setting out a cup for Eliyahu on pessach doesn’t make you extreme. Slapping your child for drinking from the the cup does.
We all practice plenty of things that others find controversial.
As long as people are respectful and following the established leadership everyone is welcome. No “side” should allow for violent and “primal ol” behavior.
Why can’t people understand that the Bouchrim just wanted to expand 770. People need to let their egos go and just realize that is what the Rebbe wanted. Stop going to court fighting each other on who owns 770. Respect each other. Stop making 770 how you want it, but make 770 how the Rebbe wants it, which is with the expansion. Maybe the Bouchrim have more hiskashrus than anyone else. Those who say the Bouchrim were reckless should know that they had a contractor to tell them where to dig. 770 is a shul for everyone respect 770. Respect… Read more »
Is that Aguch should be in control of 770. All this yechi this or that is just a distraction from the real issue, that the wrong group is in charge of 770
The stationary calls 770 a B”HKN – Bais Haknesses (a shul for davening), a B”HMD – Bais HaMedrash (a place of learning), AND also B”MSTV – Bais Ma’asim Tovim.
Which other shul in the world is called a Bais Ma’asim Tovim???
This designates 770 as “a place of activities”!!!
The Buchrim are not trying to piss anyone off. I wouldn’t stand in the way of the shvil. Let face the truth, the Israeli Buchrim are more Chassidus then the American Buchrim. People that have kids in crown heights. Are worried there kids should not get into drugs, get into trouble etc. there was a few trouble makers that dug a tunnel. Not everyone from Israel is like that. Instead of making a shvil. And if that’s what keeps them off the streets let it be. If all the Israeli Buchrim do what American Buchrim do. People would say more,… Read more »
I believe the rebbe is in 770. I believe we can still connect to the rebbe and get his advice. His connection has not ended. Read what we say at the ohel and what it says in tanya about a tzadik not leaving his flock and what a tzadik can do after he departs this world since the tzadik is no longer limited by this world. However i also know the rebbe is totally against one yid raising their hand against another, especially in a shul. he is against one yid terrorizing others, and destroying 770. This is totally against… Read more »
Before Gimmel Taamuz, NO ONE got pushed violently out of the way for the Rebbe. The crowd would part, and on rare occasions, someone didn’t realize and found himself right in front of Rebbe.
THAT WAS REALITY.
This is DIsney.
This is not true, you could see people violently held back in the videos
There is talk of hooligans taking the holy Chair and Shtender hostage and once they are taken captive, to dictate demands like re-opening of the tunnels. PROTECT THE CHAIR AND SHTENDER FROM THE HOOLIGANS!!!
Not saying that not a concern but honest look at where we’re if this is a discussion…so embarrassing
Don’t they see the Rebbe walking around all the people who block the shvil? He doesn’t need bochurim to fight for the shvil. They need to have more emuna
Wherever I go, I see the young folk desperately looking for meaning. They will do anything to find meaning in their lives. That is why it’s so important for them to have guidance, because they are tired of living a life of two-faced people. They desperately need the truth. Why can’t the Rabbonim and Yeshivas see what’s going on. The young generation is fed up with superficial niceties and are screaming for meaning . The kids either: 1. overreact 2. Follow the rules with no heart or 3. Chas v’sholom go completely off the derech. Us adults have such potential… Read more »
What about the Rabonim making a cherem? For example: someone that uses violence is put in a cherem, and a billboard(s) is put up with the faces of those in cherem, as well as papers distributed in stores, and any yiddishe owned shop cannot sell anything to them, and, you must not be within four amos of them, and they cannot be counted for a minyan, and everything else that applies. Even if a detail gets overlooked or someone makes a mistake, the koach of Torah is real, and it’s not a joke. It wouldn’t be good for someones life… Read more »
You are spot on .
It’s amazing that there are still such Bachurim that Cherish what’s true and Real
And can articulate it
There is Hope ..