By COLlive reporter
Video clips taken by non-Jews and shared on social media showed a group of Yeshiva bochurim defying instructions by health professionals and Crown Heights rabbonim and congregating at 770 Eastern Parkway on Shabbos morning.
Sources said the group was comprised of bochurim primarily from Israel who are now without a home base after the main shul of 770 was closed at the instruction of the Crown Heights Beis Din due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The clips show the police dispersing the group – both on Friday night and on Shabbos day. Some said they were there because of a notice that 770 was open again. This is despite a notice from the gabboim on Friday instructing the public to daven at specific times from their homes as the 770 shul won’t be open on Shabbos.
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In response to the chilul hashem, the gabboim of 770 Avrohom Holtzberg, Yosef Losh and Zalman Lipsker released the following statement to COLlive.com on Sunday:
“Please be advised that the gabboim closed 770 the moment the Rabbonim issued their letter instructing that there should not be any minyanim during this terrible and deadly pandemic until further notice.
“This is consistent with the measures to contain the ongoing public health crisis in the letter that was issued by the Rabbonim at the directives and advice of local doctors and officials.
“No one was given access to 770 to facilitate a minyan and no one was given any permission to conduct a minyan on 770 premises.
“We condemn in the strongest terms what has taken place in 770 and anyone who disregards these measures directed by the Rabbonim.
“The health and safety of our community and the world at large is our first and foremost priority and there will be zero exceptions made until further guidance from our Rabbonim, local doctors and officials.
“We wish all those who need a complete and speedy recovery and a blessing that this magefa should end immediately and we should merit the coming of Moshiach in the blink of an eye.”
