Levaya For Rabbi Groner on Erev Pesach

By COLlive reporter

The levaya of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner, who served as the Rebbe’s secretary for over 40 years and was a prominent figure in Chabad-Lubavitch, will be taking place on Wednesday, Erev Pesach 5780.

In an effort to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic, his family is asking that the public not be present when the precession passes Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, where Rabbi Groner spent days and even nights.

Instead, the levaya will be driving around the Crown Heights neighborhood at 9:30 AM giving residents an opportunity to participate from their own properties and recite Tehillim.

“The Aron will be passing by the shechuna on the published route, NO ONE should approach the procession as it goes by, NO ONE should go to the Bais hachaim,” the Chevra Kadisha of Crown Heights stated.

“We want it to be a kovod for Lubavitch as well as for the Niftar,” they explained. “Mechila can be done from the porch front door etc. Please do NOT stand on the sidewalk.”

Even with those rules, they emphasized: “Please maintain social distance and follow the guidelines for a Levaya, not to ח”ו cause a חילול השם and a ביזיון to the נפטר as this Levaya will be watched all over the world. So let’s make it a קידוש השם.”

The family asked that the new takonos of the Chevra Kadisha should be followed:

Important guidelines for a Levaya ר”ל

Due to the current situation, we have to bring to the attention of the public the current guidelines that must be adhered to.

1. At 770 and any other stop in Crown Heights, there is no need to go over to the aron to ask for Mechila. It can be done from far away; a porch, a front door etc. Coming too close can cause risk to multiple individuals. At no time may anyone gather around the car of the niftar/es. No one may come within 10 feet of the car. These stops will last for one minute only and the back door of the car will not be opened.

2. In the event that there is a family member who needs to do Kriah and he/she is not able to go to the cemetery, a stop will be arranged in front of their house, and only he/she will perform Kria in Crown Heights.

3. At the cemetery, only up to 10 men will be allowed, including the Aveilim. If female Aveilos are present, there may only be up to 10 women, including the Aveilos.

4. Unless it is for an immediate relative, there should be no FaceTiming of Levayos. It is a Bizayon for the Niftar and -Lehavdil- the living (unless it’s strictly for family). Obviously, these are not to be recorded or forwarded.

בברכה שיקויים הייעוד ומחה ה’ דמעה מעל כל פנים, והקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר.