By COLlive reporter
Shachris morning davening at the main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights once again saw a diverse crowd of people with Tallis and Tefillin on Tuesday morning.
Only, Crown Heights is in midst of the severe Coronavirus outbreak and many are worried about the consequences.
The gabboim of the shul hung up a sign Tuesday morning, forbidding anyone 65 and older, who are the most vulnerable to being infected, from entering the shul.
And in a public letter, members of the Beis Din of Crown Heights warned that those who have virus symptoms or a weakness of any kind should not be going to any shul.
But some local residents are worried that isn’t enough and are concerned that with the rapid spread of the virus in the neighborhood, 770 should be closed and follow the regulation of the CDC not to allow crowds of 10 and over.
COVID-19 has reached epidemic proportions in the Crown Heights community as well as in other frum neighborhoods, with many people affected, medical professionals have said.
“They close 770 to clean it for Simchas Torah and to clean it for Pesach, and we daven outside without issues – why can’t they do the same now when people’s lives on are the line,” one resident told COLlive.com.
On the other hand, one bochur who was sitting and learning at 770 told COLlive: “I’m not concerned at all. Anyone who can get it (has) already got it.”
Contacted by COLlive.com, 770 gabbai R’ Zalman Lipsker was adamant that the large shul will not be closing, and angrily brushed off concerns. “770 will be open until Moshiach,” Lipsker said on Tuesday afternoon.
The gabboim operating the 770 shul represent Congregation Lubavitch Inc. which runs independently of Lubavitch World Headquarters – Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.
VIDEO:
Update: Following the article on COLlive.com, the gabboim of the Main Shul of 770 Eastern Parkway made an about-face and notified that doors will be closed because of the spread of coronavirus. Full Story
So basically the gaboyim are hypocrites they are not enforcing their own words, plus they are not listening to the rabbonim .
Potentially causing people to die. Very pious
stubborn people, being akshanim about a mishagaas “cant close until moshiach”.
As if he’s smarter than everyone else and all rabanim out there.
Is he taking personal achrayus for those that contract corona in 770 and get severly ill?
Arrogant people with their heads in the sand.
Such an busha
Close the doors!!! You are literally killing members of Anash in the community, even if you are young and experiencing no symptoms. Please stop this arrogance and realize that this is not a some sort of persecution but rather a way to literally SAVE LIVES.
And then they can’t understand why it gets worse.
There’s gonna be blood on the hands of those who have the power to shut down 770 now!!!!
But it won’t in a few days. People are dying. People should Daven in seperate locations in small groups of less than 20, and do so outdoors if necessary.
This is against halacha and the shul.needs to be shut down. Again, people under 65 can get Corona without the symptoms and then unknowingly pass it on to those who are vulnerable i.e. elders, pregnant women and people who’s immune systems are compromised.
Let’s be NORMAL
it’s not Chassiddish to ignore the health care professionals.
770 is like the kosel – Beis rabbeinu shebebavel!
you are creating another chorban
would the nosi want you to react that way?
If we were in the times of mordechai and esther: no one would have allowed to send their children to learn with mordechai and nes purim wouldn’t have happened chv!sad so many people are giving in to “haman”.
The decree of Haman was a man made plan that could be changed. By congregating together you are mamash killing people. We are not somech al nisim. Hashem wants us to do the correct Hishtadlus al pi Teva first. Only that which we have no control over do we then rely entirely on Hashem. This we have control over. STAY HOME !!
Isn’t this against halacha MAMASH ?
Very Very upsetting .
Didn’t the Rebbe always advise us to listen to your Doctor ? and certainly to the Rabbonim ?
We are speaking about Jewish LIVES ?!?!
Wow yes very soon the Rebbe will take us out.
Powerful line.
Youngsters who are healthy chazak!
you forget that the youngsters who go to 770 will probably come in contact with older ppl. causing them harm etc. ch”v.
And the Rebbe always wants us to follow authority and to not cause a chillul hashem. v’da”l
but what about dina dmalchusa?
what about vnishmartem meod lanfshosiechem?
what about listening to the rabbonim?
what about chillul Hashem?
what about being considerate to other jews and keeping them healthy?
As a frum yid, shouldnt the aforementioned concern you?
Just because you are fine getting sick, doesn’t mean that you won’t infect someone who will have serious complications from the virus.i believe that anyone who goes to 770 has the din of a rodef. STAY HOME AND STOP MAKING A CHILLUL HASHEM!!
Is not just a river in Egypt.
How is 770 still open? Are the people who make these decisions taking all the lives that will be affected and lost in their own hands? It’s shocking to see such stupidity over such a serious situation.
close 770 now!!!! how many people have to be at death’s door before you do the responsible thing??? what is wrong with you?
Being frumer than the law is foolish. People will die because people are still going to Mikvah, shuls etc.
People under 65 will spread it to each other in 770 and then take it home to those over 65.
When this is all said and done IYH fast, this will be a Chilul Hashem of epic proportions.. the national guard needs to step in and force it closed, now.
I find this report concerning for several reasons. First, it is not only those over 65 who are at risk – many health organizations are using age 60. And those at any age with other health conditions are also at heightened risk. It is not yet clear whether pregnancy, which affects the immune system, creates any increased risk. Second, and of particular significance, all the healthy young people going to 770 may be going home or to shops where there are people who are at heightened risk if they were to become infected. The key difficulty in stopping this disease… Read more »
The upside is you’ll get to boast that you weren’t afraid. The possible downside is you’ll kill a Yid.
You guys should all be ashamed for helping spread Corona virus
What are you thinking?!!! Flatten the curve and social distancing means STAY HOME! You are putting so many lives at risk. In France 50% of the cases in the hospital are under 65. People are dying who are young and otherwise healthy. Stop with the play dates, shul, etc… create Zoom minyan and be creative. This is such a Chilul Hashem!
B”H This is so upsetting. Can someone please please do something?? Lives are at stake!! Follow the cdc rules of no more than 10 people gathering. Appalling, ignorant, pure selfishness actually. Rabbonim please limit it to 10 people. Not a mitzvah to endanger other lives. And I have news for you, it’s not just dangerous for those over 65 or immune-compromised, who were not mentioned. This is a new virus that the medical community has no experience with. Israel is being a world leader in their handling of this. They dont allow groups larger than 10 to gather, among many… Read more »
Where is the leader ship you will keep 770 open because you want people to die this is against Torah. Why do you need to wait until people actually die in the community until you act this is total stupidity police should arrest who ever is in charge.
Just because the kids won’t die doesn’t mean they should be congregating they will get it and spread it to the old people that’s how these viruses spread Everyone must be on lockdown
Close 770 now. Only way to control it.
The blood of the people who get sick and die because of this carelessness is on our hands
Every shul in almost every city should be closed at this point.
The kosel stays opened – 770 stays opened! ENGLISH?!
1. The kosel is outdoors – 770 is indoors where the air is shared by everyone present
2. If that’s not enough, the kosel isn’t allowing for groups over 10 ppl
3. Even if there are only a few ppl at the kotel, they separated the chairs so ppl aren’t near each other like at 770
Don’t lie!
HOW ABOUT: YOU DON’T BE THERE! Even if the kosel is outdoors, they are told the same: don’t go! Even if they are seperated: they still have bar mitzvahs. People have the right to be in 770 – YOU make sure YOU DON’T GO!
You remind me of the story of the guy with some others in a boat, and he decides he wants to make a hole under his seat, saying “it’s my seat”….
If you go into 770 and catch it and are around people who haven’t been after, then you’re putting them in danger. Seflish
This is a disgrace. Close 770 now. The ignorance is appalling. Hashem yirachem!!
Lock the doors now. Do not know if you are looking for more business for שומרי הדעת Jewish blood in on your hands
Sorry, but this is completely ridiculous. Police have shut down shuls in E”Y.
This is a question of Pikuach Nefesh. They are minyanim in CH practicing social distancing and it’s beautiful to see. Please take this seriously. It’s no joke.
15% of the deaths in Iran are people under 40. And other countries have reported a significant number of hospitalizations are also young people. Old and young people will die r”l as a result of this craziness.
It’s Hilul HaShem
Stay home!! No ONE should be in shul now. There should not be any minyan. Stay home!! Don’t endanger people’s lives.
He called out these Gaboim long ago! Time for them to set normal policies and enforce them. If they cant, step up, they shpuld step down!
It is probably a mitzva now to inform any government organization that can close 770 down
ask a rov
Why is it open? It’s endangering lives!!!
770 should really be closed
770 should really be closed, just because the chevre going are young and healthy, they will definitely come into contact with older ppl, possibly killing them ch”v!
Mental Illness eventually leads to physical illness. I have compassion for these I’ll people and wish them good health mentally and physically.
How many of these guys will fly to other cities, countries for Pesach? How many walk up and down Kingston? Go to Manhattan? Go in Ubers?
If you read the article below, Kfar Chabad shul was closed down by the police because the members violated the rules of large gatherings.
but they are causing people to die
Shame
Nothing else to say!
So embarrassed they are doing this….
חסיד שוטה
Hypocrisy.
770. Unfortunately this is a necessary way to stop spreading corona
This is mesiras nefesh for real.
This is the real mesiras nefesh.
Any one of the רבּנים, and/or עסקנים that aren’t shutting the Men’s Mikvahs and the Shul’s are being שופך דמים בידיים
We did NOT YET hear THE SHOFAR BLOW.!
Until that very moment, when Moshiach will once again be REVEALED, and the GEULAH will certainly follow, WE MUST WORK AL PI DERECH HATEVA!
Torah LO BASHAMAIYIM HEE! We MUST HEED THE words of the Doctors and the Rabbonim! Don’t worry for G-d’s honor.He CAN HEAR US FROM HOME!
MOSHIACH NOW MAMOSH Amein Kein Yehi Ratzon!
I understand people’s needs to socialize and gather with others – especially at times of fear – but Jewish people need to put lives above religion – no matter how dedicated they are. Protect your family and friends and worship from home, over the phone or video conference!
there is no such thing as “putting aside” yiddishkeit. nothing is outside of the supremacy of Torah. That Torah that we follow commands us to make pikuach nefesh doche everything besides 3 aveiros (unles its a shas hashmad ch”v)
There are rumors that the virus doesn’t affect young people. This is a lie and spreading it harms them. Read online. The virus permanently damages lungs even if you recover from the virus.
Sakanah!