By COLlive reporter
All shuls and men’s mikvahs in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood were instructed to close as the coronavirus has infected many locals, including some in critical condition.
The new instruction was given on Tuesday evening by members of the Beis Din of Crown Heights – Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, Rabbi Yaacov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Braun.
They wrote that “all shuls must be closed at this time” and that “all men’s mikvahs should be closed until further notice.”
Women’s mikvahs, where strict hygiene is kept, they instructed them to remain open and “follow medical guidelines about disinfecting as well (as) appropriate chlorine levels.”
They added that women who are ordered to be in quarantine should not use the mikvah “until they receive clearance.”
With many in the neighborhood suffering from the virus and in quarantine, residents criticized the lack of leadership in the community with little or insufficient instructions being given or implemented in the community.
As COLlive.com reported, philanthropist R’ Mendel Drizin, educator Rabbi Levi Goldstein, and other prominent members of the community as battling the virus and its respiratory complications.
This is the third notice that the Beis Din wrote on coronavirus. In the most recent one, they explained that “guidelines are based on current information regarding the circumstances within our community and is consistent with medical advice received from our medical professionals and Central Hatzalah of New York.”
2 hours before the Beis Din’s letter was circulated, Bais Shmuel-Chabad Congregation in Crown Heights notified that “all activities, classes and services, including Shabbos services at the Bais Shmuel Chabad, will be suspended until further notice.”
The shul’s leadership – Barry Grossman, M.D., Rabbi Levi Garelik and Rabbi Moshe Pinson – added that “If you are elderly or ill and in need of someone to pick up basic essentials and medicines for you, please contact one us as we have some volunteers that have offered to help.”
Earlier on Tuesday, COLlive.com reported that gabboim of the main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway were refusing to close the shul despite crowds of residents and bochurim coming to daven and learn.
Their decision drew fierce criticism from many which led them to change their decision on Tuesday evening and notified that the main shul will indeed close and minyanim will be held outdoors in the courtyard.
Please see this site for updates from medical leadership in Crown Heights.
This is exactly what the satan wants especially now in the era of Moshiach to stop learning Torah and to stop davening with a minyan and the worst thing that can happen is closing the Chabbad Lubavitch headquarters, we are falling right into his trap!
It is an incredibly dangerous and ignorant attitude to say that we will all go about our daily lives, as most of Crown Heights is currently doing, because “it isn’t dangerous” or even befause “HaShem decides who lives and who dies.” Torah commands us to guard our health. A doubtful danger must be taken more seriously than a doubtful transgression. We are forbidden to rely on miracles. And if you have any idea how these things spread exponentially, assuming we can live our normal lives and no one will be hurt is asking to rely on many many miracles. It… Read more »
Unfortunately this is a different situation
PIKUACH NEFESH!!
How many people do you want to die so you can go to shul?
You know better than rabonim and doctors
Would you take אחריות??
Such statements are extremely irrational and should be ignored.
We must follow the doctors and the Rabbonim
Are you taking responsibility for the health and well-being of your fellow anash. With many holy chassidim already infected and suffering with g-d forbid life threatening conditions, your suggesting to go against the opinion of medical and rabbinical opinions around the world? The Frum communities around the world are suffering and there will be unthinkable outcomes. RABBANIM are shouting to follow the health advisory’s And you dare say no no no! pekoach nefesh is dochei Shabbos yet not a minyan? If a member of Hatzloah was in middle of a minyan and someone outside was having a heart attack do… Read more »
🔥*Amazing Story*🔥 *The two brothers, the famed Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk and Rabbi Zushe of Anipoli, often wandered about together, posing as simple beggars.* They would mingle with the masses, listening, teaching, speaking, helping and guiding whomever and whenever they could. *Once, while they were traveling with a group of vagabonds, members of the group were accused of being thieves, resulting in the entire bunch being thrown into jail.* Confident of their innocence and eventual release, the two brothers sat quietly. As the afternoon progressed, Rabbi Elimelech stood up to prepare himself to pray the afternoon service. “What are you… Read more »
Amazing Moshol I have heard the story before but it is a perfect example to use now and thank you for bringing it out this way
But, this was in a jail, in a house you could daven!!
100%
Depending on the circumstance, halacha does not allow certain individuals to fast on yom kippur. If I’m not mistaken, I think there is even a special bracha to say in benching for one who eats on yom kippur (due to this kind of situation).
It would not be the first time Shuls were closed. R Akiva Eiger nearly 200 years ago closed the shuls of Posen and implemented other social distancing measures to help contain a cholera outbreak. Even over the Yomim Noraim when the outbreak was subsiding they only allowed limited numbers of people at Shul with a goral determining who got a spot. They had police presence to ensure it was enforced. Anything that we can do to limit the spread of the virus is literally saving lives.
B”SD
This wasn’t an easy decision I’m sure, but the Torah teaches us that we shall guard ourselves very well!! As a frum Yid, I feel awful, but in my heart I know that this is only temporary, & everything is only temporary until MOSHIACH Comes!!
Ad mosai