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Thursday, 27 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 7, 2024

Rabbi Heller Denounces New Eruv

Using the Crown Heights Eruv? Rabbi Yosef Heller says that might disqualify you from bearing witness at a wedding. Full Story

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Eruv Users Anyway Disqualified as Witnesses
June 21, 2016 12:50 pm

Women and young children use an Eruv. They do not qualify to be witnesses at a Chupa. I think the Rav just nailed it. The people who need the Eruv and who will use it in a Kosher way are not qualified as witnesses. Because the Eruv – when used properly – is mainly for women and young children. The Rav is clearly addressing men. Which is the right thing to do when considering who will be a witness according to Halacha. But what about the spiritual and emotional well being of young mothers with young children? The people who… Read more »

Chani
June 20, 2016 11:13 pm

The Eruv was not put up for the Chabad community, It was put up all over Brooklyn, not just in Crown Heights, so it is up to the individual person if he would want to use it, I myself wont feel uncomfortable using it, but why are people threatening to tear it down, get a life

COLIVE?
June 20, 2016 10:53 pm

I think you’d be doing a great service by publishing the ENTIRE drasha (not just in the comment, but in an actual article). thank you!

To #102
June 20, 2016 8:59 pm

Usually Reb K shlogs up Milhouse – where there is no Milhouse there is no Reb K. It’s like you can’t find Bais Hillel without Bais Shamai.

MAJOR MISTAKE NO1 IS RECOGNIZING
June 20, 2016 5:31 pm

Its irrelevant if other communities have an eruv. those rabbis gave permmision for it. this community rabbis didnt. Case Closed.. can you imagine if boro park or willaimsburg rabbis ossured something and then outside rabbis gave a heter, there would be such a outcry.

A story to learn from
June 20, 2016 4:44 pm

The following was once told by R’ Pinye Korf at a farbrengen and I just verified it with him again to make sure I remembered it correctly. Many,many years ago, when he was still in Brunoy Yeshiva, there was a question on the status of a piece of meat. Rabbi Hilel Pevzner a”h paskened that it was kosher. Reb Pinye looked in the Tur and Shulchan Aruch and concluded that the Rabbi was wrong and that it was NOT kosher. He presented his case to the rosh Yeshiva, R’ Yosef Goldberg a”h (father in law of Rabbi Osdoba and teacher… Read more »

67 rehsus hasrabim
June 20, 2016 4:26 pm

reshus harabim doesn’t mean any public thoroughfare as I think you are mistranslating! It means a specific d’oraysa definiteion of public

What does K say about eruv?
June 20, 2016 3:12 pm

I was hoping to hear from “K” from BMG about the eruv. He usually pipes into our business with his Daas Torah, Halacha and Hashkafa. Whatever the misnaged says, we know the opposite is correct.

R' Moshe Feinstein
June 20, 2016 3:04 pm

Wrote clearly that it is impossible to make an Eruv in Brooklyn (OC vol. 5 ch. 28.)

It is disingenuous to rely on Reb Moshe only when it’s convenient.

To #86
June 20, 2016 2:07 pm

Lets talk about am haaratzus. The Alter Rebbe maintains (and so do most Achronim) that once a tzuras hapesach is established, even in a reshus harabbim, the issue is no more a matter of a d’Oraysa. Oh, by the way, I would love to talk to Rabbi Heller.

Regarding ziku, you simply don’t know the full inyan. Besides for which you don’t own the streets, the governments power of eminent domain supersedes all powers, even your own.

Asra derav
June 20, 2016 1:52 pm

Just as in the lower East side they never made an eruv out of respect of R Moshe, so too they cannot make one in crown heights. If it were an expanded park slope Eric to serve their community, it could maybe be argued it’s ok. Here, it’s very obviously being done for crown heights, only even they don’t have the chutzpah to go it themselves, so the used kol yisrael as a front group

Upkeep of the eruv
June 20, 2016 12:58 pm

Upkeep of an eruv is very expensive. Given the feeling here that most of the community is against it, and they have only managed to raise 4000 In the last month on the go fund website, it’s extremely unlikely there will be money for it’s upkeep. Just like one of the Rebbe concerns. Once people start carrying, they won’t stop. Even if it’s down

Who's hechsher
June 20, 2016 12:52 pm

There is a difference between a halachik advisor or a hechsher. In a hechsher, the rav takes achrayus for the product. In an advisor he takes no achrayus, just helps. In practical terms. In most communities, such as Boro park, there is a mumche who takes responsibility for it. If it’s down he will make sure to let you know, as his name is on the line. Here, the only ones taking achrayus are a group of lay leaders. If they decide to say it’s kosher when it isn’t, maybe on purpose or because they don’t know better, there is… Read more »

Following decisions of the rabonim
June 20, 2016 12:43 pm

Excerpts of a sicho mishpotim 5747
אלה שהתנגדו לבחירות הרבנים שגם הם צריכים להיות כפופים למרותם של הרבנים אין כל נפקא מינא אם עובדה זו היא לפי רוחם או לא.. על פי האמור מובן ופשוט שבמקרה שמתעוררת שאלה בעניני הקהלה צריכים לפנות לרבני הקהלה ולעשות כהוראתם. עד כאן לשונו הקודש.
אם
פי זה כיון שכל רבני השכונה פסקו שאין לעשות עירוב כאן מי שאינו מקיים של הרבי. הפסק דין שלהם הוא עושה היפך הוראתו הק

To 71
June 20, 2016 12:41 pm

You would be right if Reb Moshe was just another rabbi. When talking about the posek hador,it’s a different matter.

To 72
June 20, 2016 12:38 pm

In this case you are clearly wrong. One can only claim chazaka if there is a reasonable assumption that the eruv is still up. Here, there are people who will be moser nefesh to make sure it’s broken before shabbos. They may be tzaddikim or reshoim, depending who you ask. But you certainly have no chazaka

To 69
June 20, 2016 12:33 pm

For someone who is just looking for any excuse to carry, you are 100 percent right. They could also find a heter to buy from a meat store that has no hechsher, since the owner is Jewish, or buy food with a k on it, since some rabbi somewhere says it’s kosher.
For someone who really cares, this is obviously not enough. Rabbi Heller wasn’t addressing the former, rather the latter group. If you are from the first group, feel free to carry on shabbos

There is no need to continue this argument
June 20, 2016 12:22 pm

Those that have decided they will carry, will carry. Rabbi Heller was מקיים his responsibility of saying the Din as it is. Anyone that wants to argue will never listen to reason anyway. Everyone became an expert on the halachos, everyone is an expert on who may or may not give opinions.
Some people’s minds are like cement. Mixed up and permanently set.

#69
June 20, 2016 11:44 am

Sums it up correctly.

Chazkko
June 20, 2016 11:43 am

There is no chazoko if it is contrary to halocho. If it will cause chilul shabbos

Eiruv
June 20, 2016 11:33 am

When the rebbe says he will not allow to have an eirev in this shechuna the real reason we do not know but according to the rebbes letter to make an eirhv only where it is feasible the rebbes opinion is that in ch it is not feasable. There is a halocho achrei rabim lehatois, to go according the majority. The majority a very large majority does not want to live in a community where there is an eirjv. How can a minority impose their opinion on the majority.

Rabbi Leibel Dubov
June 20, 2016 11:29 am

Yaashar Koach Rabbi Heller
Rabbi and Mrs. Leibel dubov

a long standing follower of what ever the Rebbe says - goes
June 20, 2016 11:24 am

You are all missing the point. Residents of Crown Heights as well as all over thr world accept whatever the Rebbe sais. So to regarding the Eiruv. there should be no more discussion othere than the Rebbe said, and it shall remain so. No ifs or buts or maybe.

Yes, #69, lies indeed
June 20, 2016 10:42 am

Let’s just focus on one of your points: “now that the eruv is up it’s certainly not a reshus horabbim, according to *any* opinion.” What absolute am haaratzus. Halachah is quite clear that a reshus harabbim is permissible for carrying only if doors are put up. Do you see any doors along Eastern Parkway? The rest of your “lomdus” is about as equally ridiculous. If you think you know hilchos eruvin, go and discuss it one-on-one with R. Heller, and if you have the slightest self-awareness, you will realize once you’re done how little you know. (Oh, and since your… Read more »

Funny
June 20, 2016 10:20 am

They all want to know who the Rav is that built the Eruv but for what? They all say its 100% NOT kosher so what difference does it make who did it? Will they accept it once they find out who the Rav is?

69# 72#
June 20, 2016 10:06 am

bh

you guys are total am haratzim.

69# to prove tyhe falacy of your total ignorant points, in regards to 6, make it your bussiness to first learn through siman kuf yud tes and kuf chof zayin in yoreh dea’ah, try at least with the shach and taz, try. then maybe, you can try to open your mouth.

mister 72# what do you know about chazokois?

can you rely on a chazoko for your tzitzis from day to day?

please learn just a bit, before you spout off

the Eruv Rav - an irony
June 20, 2016 9:27 am

ironically in the Rebbe’s letter above, he proposes there being a secret eruv; the irony being here that the actual Eruv Rav (no pun intended, the Rav who is in charge of the eruv) is literally a secret, thus somewhat in conformity to the Rebbe’s request !!!

Thank you for posting verbatim
June 20, 2016 8:16 am

No one plays around when Rabbi Heller paskens.
Also, Rabbi Groner is not a rav of our community. He’s a rabbi who worked amongst the Rebbes secretariat.

Listen up.
June 20, 2016 7:06 am

Rabbi Heller voluntarily removed himself from the BD decades ago, but has continued to answer shea’los and help people. He is so far removed from machloykes, BUT when pushed by something that is against the Rebbe or Halacha or both, he clearly speaks up – as he did here. To #5 – are you surprised at CAY members using it? They are religious, just not strong Lubavitchers. Expediency is what matters. I went to one of their services & saw the Rabbi address women in the audience (hardly a congregation) directly, by name. Frankly, anyone who attends their services should… Read more »

How can we rely on this Rabbi Shwartz???
June 20, 2016 6:20 am

I lived in CH all my life and never heard of him- but now all of a sudden everyone is using him

Yesod Hayesodos...
June 20, 2016 6:01 am

It is shocking that a matter as complicated as Hilchos Eruvin suddenly got so many mavinim and experts?! Besides the fact that as the Gemora says “Machriv olomos umedamim – one situation to another of different communities without knowing the yesodos etc..B. Rabonim of a community are the poskim of the place…bloshon Hashas- B’asra D’rav. And even others greater mumchim etc cannot outdo a psak of a Rav where he is the aithority! May i ask if all the Eruv pushers would challenge Rabbi Heller in kashrus of a Mikveh? Elo mai…here its about convienence and visiting your mother in… Read more »

rab hucher
June 20, 2016 3:34 am

to #72 about building a raft on shaboost that’s very true thanks for sharing but if u have a mokar would be great 122yp

rabbi chossid
June 20, 2016 3:22 am

according to meforshim you can’t use the erev bcs you might bli eyein horah build a raft and that’s not tznius and tach and shaz say building a raft onot shabbos is mukseh

To clarify R' Moshe's view
June 20, 2016 2:44 am

Igress Moshe, Orach Chayim, Chelek Aleph, Siman 139
If 600 000 individuals can be found throughout all the streets of the city at one time, then the entire street grid of the city becomes one large Reshus HoRabim. This is only if there are close to three million residents living in any area of the city that is 12 mil by 12 mil (approxiamtely 8.5 miles square).

To All
June 20, 2016 2:31 am

Eruvonline is posting a complete rebuttal of Rabbi Levine’s teshuvah. Keep on looking for updates.

To #49
June 20, 2016 2:29 am

Please read what I said over again. Reshuyos and building an eruv are two different species. Rav Moshe zt”l would allow an eruv because Brooklyn is encompassed by mechitzos. Please stop repeating these old canards regarding Rav Moshe.

To #49
June 20, 2016 2:26 am

Absolutely nothing to do with what said. Rav Heller made a comment that cannot be substantiated. There is the halachos of building an eruv and then there are halchos on reshuyos. The halachos of tzuras hapesach that Rabbi Heller was referring to is the same in a bungalow colony or in a city. The only difference between the two is regarding reshuyos.

#54, there is a chazokoh that it is up
June 20, 2016 1:03 am

Once it was checked and found to be up, there was a chazokoh that it remained up. How would you know whether it was cut? If you are the person who cut it, then you are possul le’eidus, and nobody has to believe you!

#55, this is not true
June 20, 2016 1:02 am

Reb Moshe has a unique shita, that nobody else agrees with, that if there are 3 million people within an area of 12 by 12 mil, that fulfils the condition of 600,000 people being on the streets at once. But Brooklyn does not have nearly that many people.

#45, why are you lying?
June 20, 2016 12:59 am

Everyone can see the map which shows that the whole Crown Heights is in the new eruv.

Lies and half truths.
June 20, 2016 12:58 am

1. Rabbi Heller’s view that Eastern Parkway is a reshus horabbim de’oraisa is an extreme minority posiiton. There are almost NO poskim who agree. I challenge anyone to name three such poskim. 1a. (In any case now that the eruv is up it’s certainly not a reshus horabbim, according to *any* opinion.) 2. Yes indeed hilchos eruvin requires special expertise. Is Rabbi Heller known as such an expert?! No, he is not, while Rabbi Schwartz assures us that the person who made the eruv is. So it would behoove Rabbi Heller not to presume that he knows better than this… Read more »

Transcript of Rabbi Heller's speech
June 20, 2016 12:56 am

BH This is mostly the entire derosho of rabbi heller. I am only putting this up, because I saw many put up things, which were not really full and complete. I know he usually does not like publicity, but since his comments are out, let it at least be accurate. I wrote in English, because most of the affected understand English, if I would have time I would write it in Hebrew also, though I probably do not have time. As it is, this took enough time. Obviously it is not written properly. The style is more word for word,… Read more »

ALL the streets are public, not just Eastern Parkway!
June 20, 2016 12:46 am

Rabbi Heller says the eruv is not allowed because “Eastern Parkway is in the public domain”??? What!? Aren’t ALL streets in the public domain!?

From a simple soul in Michigan
June 20, 2016 12:42 am

After reading many of these comments , we should
beg Moshiach to come immediately .
Vdal

Erev rav
June 20, 2016 12:28 am

the erev rav was always michutz lamachaneh that’s why we don’t know who it is

To # 54
June 20, 2016 12:24 am

The only reason the Eiruv would be cut…. Is because you recognize its existence to begin with.

# 56
June 20, 2016 12:20 am

Labor Day Parade is once a year… Not daily. You are very simply wrong.

To 29
June 20, 2016 12:19 am

Still has no purpose aside from holding keys. Girls would never wear such an ugly elastick unless it was for keys

56 wow at least a million people
June 20, 2016 12:15 am

The Labor Day Parade (or West Indian Carnival) is an annual celebration held on American Labor Day (the first Monday in September) in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in New York City. The main event is the West Indian Day Parade, which attracts between one and three million participants.

Rebbe's letter regarding Eruvim
June 20, 2016 12:11 am

Here is the rebbes opinion on public eiruvs in clear text: 57 Rebbe’s Letter in Full By the Grace of G-d Chol Hamoed Pesach, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y. Rabbi New York, N.Y. As you will surely recall, the matter was raised a few years ago, when I expressed my position, which has not changed. However, since I do not know if you are fully informed of it, I will reiterate the main points of my viewpoint relative to this matter. Firstly, as a matter of principle, my opinion is that where according the din an eiruv can be instituted, it should… Read more »

THE ONLY SOLUTION
June 20, 2016 12:08 am

Build a wall and make Flatbush pay for it

ASHRENU MA TOV CHELKENU
June 19, 2016 11:46 pm

THAT WE HAVE RABBI HELLER SHLITA

I wear keys
June 19, 2016 11:43 pm

Eh I wear keys in an unkosher way, but who cares now there’s an Eruv. I just wear it because I don’t want to be stoned.

Eastern Pkwy
June 19, 2016 11:37 pm

Its very simple.. Eastern Pkwy is Rishus Harabim b./c of the Labor Day Parade!!!

to 44
June 19, 2016 11:34 pm

There is a very big difference. According to many poskim a large city can have the din of a reshus harabim. For example Reb moshe paskened that the ny metro area has the din of a reshus harabim even if 600000 dont pass through daily.

NO Eiruv
June 19, 2016 11:23 pm

The eiruv was cut as soon as it went up. I guarantee you the eiruv will not stand for a single Shabos.

to 41
June 19, 2016 11:18 pm

Very selective reading. Did you miss the part abt e.p. being a reshus harabim deoraisa?

@20, 29 how do wear keys on Shabbos
June 19, 2016 11:13 pm

anyone can wear a (shabbos) belt on shabbos IF the keys are attached in a kosher way (ask in the Jewish locksmiths/hardware stores in CH how to do it, and have the additional holes make when you get your keys).
But you can only wear 1 belt per garment. So if you are wearing a skirt (or pants for a man) with a belt, then you cannot wear a shabbos belt on your skirt/pants. But you could for instance wear a belt on your skirt and a shabbos belt over your sweater etc.

not a chabad issue
June 19, 2016 11:11 pm

Chabad doesn’t live in crown heights, rather all over the world on shlichus, facing much bigger challenges than not being able to push a stroller on shabbos. (the eruv itself is a good example, a blatant disregard of the rebbe happening in crown heights.)

@33 Move on people ... it's too late!!!! Move on, we lost this battle.
June 19, 2016 11:07 pm

… it’s too late!!!! Move on, we lost this battle. 1st of all IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. You can always do teshuva If you believed we lost the battle (btw, we didn’t – there was NO eiruv – controversial or not – as it was torn down before shabbos), but if you still believed we lost the battle, and should move on, then I guess you just gave up on the yiddishkeit of your grandchildren. The frum are getting frummer and the frey are getting (L”A) fried in the fires of their uncontrolled lusts. The battle is only over for… Read more »

to # 44
June 19, 2016 10:48 pm

R. Heller has a much deaper understanding of the situation in c.h. and he knows exactly what must be said at the curent time. You are obviously not such a chacham as you think you are and don’t understand that there are many issues involved here that can’t be said loud. R. Heller is acting as many rabanim throughout history have done in similar situations.

to 18
June 19, 2016 10:42 pm

not if it’s pasull eruv which as far as i understand is the case in other words NOT a eruv

The eruv is up
June 19, 2016 10:40 pm

People can carry and if U don’t please don’t

to 44
June 19, 2016 10:31 pm

if you or anyone one wantsto understand a ravs psak halacha, go over to that rav and ask him to explain to you his psak. here in the comments on COL is not the place for this and especially in hilchos airuvin

THE ERUV DOES NOT COME TO OUR AREA OF CROWN HEIGHTS
June 19, 2016 10:24 pm

so if anyone in the “main area” of crown heights was using the eruv – there is no eruv for them to use! It is NOT a CH eruv.

To Rabbi Heller
June 19, 2016 10:13 pm

Bmechilas kvod Torasoyou I don’t understand your logic. There is no difference between erecting an eruv for a large city or a small one. Reshuyos is a separate issue and if one is allowed to make an eruv in Brooklyn there is no difference between any of its neighborhoods. The fact is Eastern Parkway is encompassed by mechitzos just like Ocean Parkway is. No one seems to know hilchos eruvin including the rabanim, and with this I agree with Rabbi Heller

Rabbi Heller is THE leader
June 19, 2016 10:08 pm

Rabbi Heller is a gaon Adir and he’s the leading authority here. No one comes close to him. What he says is final. Done deal

to all who are critisizing
June 19, 2016 10:01 pm

R. Heller is a very open minded person all he wants is that………… should have frum grandchildren, he has a deeper understanding of human nature and jewish history and he knows that their way will fail its so sad that we will need to wait 50 years t see who is right………

huh?
June 19, 2016 9:56 pm

“There needs to be a name of who is going to check it each and every week”; So in theory it COULD work?

To number 17
June 19, 2016 9:51 pm

Be careful how you write about Harav Heller Shlita. Be careful, and dont play with fire. For all the years he has fiercly stood up to politics and controversy, always speaking his mind and giving over the Dass Torah without fear. He has educated thousands of Yungerleit throught the years, and is a giant amongst giants. A Rabbis Rov, a true Gadol Byisroel that has the reapect of Yiddin and Chassidim the world over. The Rebbe said at the shivah of Rebbetzin that after Gimel Tamuz it will be up to the Rabonim to determine his will and desire. If… Read more »

Insightful
June 19, 2016 9:22 pm

It’s interesting to note the agenda here which is: putting the article that there’s an eiruv crown Heights up erev Shabbas before anyone has a chance to properly assess the string if indeed it has any value, causing many of the common folk to see the word Eiruv with a map etc .. And carry on shabbos, and now when a rav comes out and says clearly that it’s a problem it’s written in the style as if to say the eiruv is here and “already being used” and now someone is coming and questioning the people who already use… Read more »

Thank u R Heller
June 19, 2016 9:14 pm

Those who are set on using it really don’t care about Torah, and will just find every uneducated reason to defend themselves.
It’s as clear as day that it’s ossur.
And guess what…even if someone checks it every week , I guarantee u it will b torn week after week after he checks….and those that carry will b guilty cuz the eiruv was never OK to begin with.
Take heed of halacha and it’s rabbanim and you’ll be better off in the long run….and your kids will grow up more stable too

missing intro
June 19, 2016 9:09 pm

The intro Rabbi Heller said is missing and is very important in order to understand what he said.
Now it looks at first that he is implying that with a reliable rov and mashgiach there could be a kosher eiruv followed by a statement that it’s never doable.
This is the story he started with:
Someone wanted to make a pidyon haben but there were some issues.
1 he was a Levi
2 the kid wasn’t peter rechem
3 it’s a girl

To # 22
June 19, 2016 9:08 pm

He did what is necessary at the current moment : a clear cut non negotiable psak, that is the ONLY way to prevent some people from carrying, that is exactly what true rabbonim throughout the generations have done, and that is the ONLY way that really works, kol hakavod for a true rov.

Rabbi Heller is a very smart man
June 19, 2016 8:48 pm

As someone who knows rabbi Heller well I can say that he has the perfect balance between chessed and gevura and he understands that in the current situation something drastic must be done to make sure anash don’t start using the airuv we all remember wen he used gevura to make sure theres no picture of the rebbe hanging in 770 history Wil prove that his decision to come out so strongly will make it be mufrach ligament for anash to use the airuv

Rabbi NIstar
June 19, 2016 8:40 pm

A tzaddik NIstar in our generation is behind the eiruv
I don’t think that any serous qualified rabbi would be in this childless business of annonomity , and going for a few box against the BD and big rabbis of CH

Move on people
June 19, 2016 8:34 pm

I was against the Eiruv bc I don’t think it’s respectful to the rebbe. But now that it’s here it’s too late!!!! Move on, we lost this battle. It’s more important to have Ahavas yisroel than to argue over an Eiruv. All this fighting is the cause of so many of us not caring for a rav’s opinion, not caring for kosher, tznius and all the countless issues that plague Chabad Chabad has grown and expanded, there are obvious pluses to this but there have been unforseable cons. We are no longer recognizable, it hurts, the days of eidle chassideshe… Read more »

Rabonim Bashing !!!!???? Feh!!!
June 19, 2016 8:32 pm

Its amazing that you would write disparaging comments about Rabonim.

Rabbi Heller is talking about the Chumrah of what constitutes a Reshus H’rabim according to the Alter Rebbe only.

Folks, If your going to bash a Rov, then why would you need an eiruv anyway????

A Psak din of your local Rav is not debatable just like we don’t understand Hashem’s ways. Or what an eiruv is really anyway. Where is the bitul??? Where is the emunah??? Where is the eidelkeit???

Accurate account of what Rabbi Heller actually said? I think not.
June 19, 2016 8:21 pm

This whole account is “according to an account by a participant.” and “according to a second person present.” I doubt Rabbi Heller’s words were given over accurately. People tend to select parts of what was said and then go on to quote the person totally out of context.

Still Waiting....
June 19, 2016 8:19 pm

We are all still waiting for a reliable person to relay what the Rebbe ever said or wrote about an Eruv Crown Heights. That’s all that really counts.

To #20
June 19, 2016 8:05 pm

Yes even girls can wear an elastic with a key on shabbos. Just be sure to use the keys hole as a connecter to the two sides of the elastic. Meaning either must hook both ends into the key hole.or tie both ends of the elastic to the key hole. Reason being is that you are making the key have a purpose- its the connector of your “belt”.

NOT ANONYMOUS!
June 19, 2016 8:03 pm

Rabbi M. Edelstein
And
Rabbi B. Schwartz
Both gave a hechsher.

Rabbi Heller's words in full (unedited)
June 19, 2016 8:01 pm

Some asked various questions, like why Rabbi Heller didn’t mention the Rebbe. If you heard his talk you’d know that he did mention the Rebbe. However this article (as articles do) took snippets of his words. For the sake of completion, here are his words as written down by someone in attendance. Like any unedited note, there can be discrepancies, but it clearly conveys Rabbi Heller’s view, at least in a general way. Note to that Rabbi Heller asked to share his words As written by someone in attendance: Rabbi Heller just addressed the eiruv issue in kolel and asked… Read more »

To # 17
June 19, 2016 8:01 pm

You got your facts wrong For the past 20 years Rabbi heller has spent most of his day helping individuals of our community without being paid

To #17 and #18
June 19, 2016 7:57 pm

#17:
And if R. Heller had made his views known on the other issues, you’d be saying that he’s disqualified because he was on one side or another politically. Look, if you’ve decided that you are independent of the Rabbonim and that what they say doesn’t apply to you, then say so; don’t try to bashmutz them in order to ease your conscience.

And #18, it’s “don’t rebuke a person who is using a _kosher_ eruv.” Kindly don’t try to twist halachah to suit your predilections.

A true rov
June 19, 2016 7:52 pm

Rabbi Heller is a rov who cares and does for others all day long. He will stand up for what’s right even if no one else does. He does not mix into politics and runs away from controversy. If he says there is a problem with the Eruv then there is no way it can be okay. All communities that have an Eruv have major controversy over it. There are those who use it and those who don’t , except for Yerusalem. Why do we need another issue to divide our community. We need shalom and respect for our rabbinim.

to comment 1
June 19, 2016 7:48 pm

What are you insinuating that others are not competent? It seems very disrespectful .

Contraditrction
June 19, 2016 7:43 pm

If “there are few that know how to do an Eiruv”… than why is Rabbi Heller making a comment about the Halachic legitimacy? Unless he considers himself of the few that are expert. Also, is there not a concept of being “motzie laaz” like we find by Kittin and Kidushin. He is being Motzei Laaz on swaths of Yidden. Lastly, perhaps the reason we have arrived at this point is precisely due to lack of Rabbinc Leadership. While he may be following the dictum of “sena es ho’rabanus” despise the idea of being part of the Rabbinate, yet, what about… Read more »

17 anonymous
June 19, 2016 7:26 pm

But you are totally ok with accepting an eruv made by an anonymous expert from outside CH. Ok…
..

Keys on Shbs
June 19, 2016 7:26 pm

Are you allowed to wear an elastic just for the sake of keys on shbs? Just in case you weren’t aware women do not wear Tzitzis.

to 2
June 19, 2016 7:17 pm

I spoke with someone today who said its well known the flatbush/oceanparkway/fthamiltonpwky eiruv are known to be very sketchy and there are many people who challenge them … just because we dont know the details of other communities does not make them perfect. Ocean Parkway is actually a big issue.

Let’s not over simplify …. some of these Eiruvs are more questionable than others, and a LOT of big Rabbanim are against MANY of these Eiruvs but since the masses all use it, everyone just justifiys it … like most things … if enough people do it, who cares …

Dear rabbi heller
June 19, 2016 7:12 pm

Is it not true that the alter rebbe says that one should not rebuk a person who uses a eruv, ???

Or times have changed and what the alter rabbi wrote 200 years ago does not apply for today, or maybe the rabbi’s in crown heights know better then the alter rebbe

Qualified?
June 19, 2016 7:11 pm

90% of the pepole here didn’t know he still lives here.

What’s up with him speaking up suddenly about a comunity matter.

He has been AWOL For all these years and now he shows up?

With so many urgent maters going on and him hiding behind his desk disqualifies him from voicing his opinion.

And the most outstanding part is the fact that he dosent even mention the rebbes opinion in all this.

Rabbi heller
June 19, 2016 7:09 pm

Is a true leader

secret hashgacha
June 19, 2016 7:08 pm

I understand the defense of “no name” hashgacha, but this is not something that passes. Imagine a controversial restaurant opened up and the mashgiach/hashgacha didnt want angry calls so they didnt put their name on it … no one would eat there! This is the trump show, we can’t “Promise its big big name!” and not verify … if you can’t take the heat of scrutiny then dont put your name on it. I just don’t get it. Eiruv is something to Chabad as basic as having a beard, wearing a gartel, not eating cholov stam. We are losing our… Read more »

Does this mean Park Slope Eiruv is not Kosher? It also includes Easter Parkway!!
June 19, 2016 7:05 pm
checking the erev
June 19, 2016 7:01 pm

Checking this erev (properly) every Friday would take hours upon hours. It’s a big full time job and costly. It matter’s whose going to take on this job.

A man of Rabbi Heller's stature is more than enough
June 19, 2016 6:53 pm

Thank you Rabbi Heller for your guidance.
Langer gezunter yoren!

Leaders need to lead with more than just gevurah
June 19, 2016 6:53 pm

I think this would be less of an issue if rabbonim and leaders had better responses to those Lubavs in CH who really want what an eiruv would get them than just ‘Rebbe said no’. Offer solutions the Rebbe would support to people who feel stuck at home, alone and isolated. IMHO if the leadership did this, this wouldn’t even be a debate and no one would even care or pay heed to this. People feel blown off when their struggles aren’t acknowledged or when given responses that ‘it’s been fine all these years’. Just like tznius education needs to… Read more »

UNITY AMONG RABBONIM AND AHAVAS YISROEL
June 19, 2016 6:49 pm

Everyone who has been demanding unity, here you have it… R’ Schwei, Osdoba, Braun, Heller, Segal, Groner, etc. all on the same page. Are you serious about unity? Then now’s the time to listen to the Rabbonim.

And for everyone demanding Ahavas Yisroel, if the vast majority of the community and ALL the Rabbonim are against your idea, trust me, dropping it is the real Ahavas Yisroel.

I hope our community is up to the test.

Anonymous Rov??!!
June 19, 2016 6:47 pm

How can people use an eruv which is certified by an anonymous rov???!!! Rabbi heller challenges any rov to discuss the kashrus possibilities with him, the fact that no one will stand forward and take the challenge is a huge red flag for itself!!!!

What if eastern parkway would be out
June 19, 2016 6:46 pm

Is it then a kosher eruv??

Lets ban most of Chabad
June 19, 2016 6:46 pm

Thats the way we should work with the next generation….
Come on people…
Lets get smart and communicate not with extreme and rash statements …

just wondering
June 19, 2016 6:44 pm

Eastern parkway is surely not more populated than certain avenues in upper Manhattan, yet there is a universally accepted Eruv there. Can someone explain simply why the Manhattan Eruv is considered okay, but this is not.

There is a boss
June 19, 2016 6:42 pm

Many members of cay used the airuv this past Shabbos

Please right it very clearly
June 19, 2016 6:39 pm

The last two paragraphs of this article are not what Rabbi Heller said they are merely the understanding of the writer of this article
Meaning Rabbi Heller wasn’t clear that a person that carries on shabbos in CH halchik Standard as a witness changes…. That is just the understanding of the writer

Audio
June 19, 2016 6:35 pm

Is there a recording of the shiur? Please share it

Crown Heights Special Status
June 19, 2016 6:28 pm

So every other community in NYC (roughly some 26 eruvin) can have an Eruv but for some reason its 100% forbidden in Crown Heights. I am confused. There are some 5 eruv’s that cross Ocean Parkway, Williamsburg Eruv cover the BQE which has much more people than Eastern Parkway. Manhattan Eruv. What am I missing? I guess everybody is posul from giving aidus.

Finally
June 19, 2016 6:27 pm

Someone, who is qualified, said it as it is

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