By COLlive reporter
Two members of the Crown Heights Beis Din responded to a sharp letter by an out-of-town Rabbi who criticized their handling of the newly erected Eruv around their Brooklyn neighborhood.
Rabbi Benzion Wosner of the Shevet Halevi Beis Din in Monsey called on Crown Heights residents on Wednesday to “enjoy” using the Eruv on Shabbos despite being constructed without the consent of local rabbis.
In response, Crown Heights Rabbis Yaacov Schwei and Yosef Braun released a new letter reminding the public of the “strict prohibition against holding a dispute against the local rabbinic authority.”
They went on to quote his father, the late renowned posek Rabbi Shmuel Wosner that in the complex subject of an Eruv, “there is no place to decide from a distance, and that it is dependent on the rabbis on site.”
Rabbi Wosner’s letter has enraged many in Crown Heights after it called on them to “ignore” their rabbis’ ruling. Many commented on COLlive.com about leaving local affairs to local rabbis.
One comment on COLlive, purporting to be from a member of the Congregation Kol Israel Shul associated with the new Eruv, agreed that Lubavitch residents should “respect your rabbonim and not carry on Shabbos inside “our” Eruv.”
“I am upset as anyone that a bunch of discontented Chabadniks have decided to use our Eruv to wage war against their own rabbonim. This is unacceptable,” the person wrote.
This point was made clear to Rabbi Wosner in a letter from his neighbor – Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl, Rabbi of the Nitra community in Monsey and a Kashrus expert.
“Perhaps it went unnoticed by you that the Crown Heights neighborhood is entirely Chabad and is managed according to the holy directives of the Rebbe of Lubavitch who lived in that place for many years,” he wrote.
Rabbi Weissmandl noted that the Rebbe’s opinion “determines and judges” like in Lakewood, NJ, where “there isn’t and won’t be a creation of an Eruv according to the opinion of its founder” Rabbi Aharon Kotler OBM.
He called not to “weaken the power and influence” of Crown Heights rabbis and stay away from arguments and the flame of dispute.
WHOEVER ADVOCATES OR SPEAKS AGAINST THE REBBE HORO’AHS SHOULD BE PUT IN CHEREM, PERIOD, AND HIS OR HER NAME PUBLICIZED THROUGHOUT THE SHECHUNA.AND BEYOND
a) there happens to be a din of kol yisroel areivim
b)when something is nogea to the Rebbe Shlita’s shita, you can’t just say, live and let live. if you takeh are a chosid of the Rebbe Shlita then you need to aargue, publicize, debate vechulo the Rebbe Shlita’s stance on the matter.
‘live and let live’ is not a Lubavitcher attitude nor a frum one!
“לא תוסף עליו ולא תגרע ממנו” (דברים יג,א) הם שני איסורים דאורייתא. יש רפורמים שעוברים על איסור דאורייתא “לא תגרע ממנו”, ויש רפורמים שעוברים על איסור דאורייתא “לא תוסף עליו”. ה’ אמר לאדם לא לאכול מעץ הדעת. אדם הוסיף סייג לדברי ה’ ואמר לחוה גם “ולא תגעו בו”. לאדם היתה כוונה טובה – הוא רצה להרחיק את אשתו מהחטא. הוא רצה שהיא לא תיגע בעץ כדי שלא תתפתה לאכול ממנו. ואז גם אמרה חוה לנחש “ולא תגעו בו”. בגלל התוספת הזאת הצליח הנחש לשכנע את חוה לאכול מעץ הדעת. ובגלל זה גורשו אדם וחוה מגן עדן. אפשר לטעון שהתוספת של… Read more »
PLEASE CHEVRO LETS HAVE AHAVAS ISRAEL TOALL YIDDEN LIKE OUR DEAR REBBE TOLD US NEVER MIND ARUV USER OR NOT LOVE EVERY YID
So far, anyone in support of the eruv either backed down or was proven to be unreliable, while the number of Rabbis against the eruv (chabad and other) keeps growing.
So basically the facts remain the same – this is the Rebbe’s shchuna, there is no eruv, if there were an eruv it will be cut down every week, and therefore whoever carries on shabbos is not only mechalel shabbos, but also joining korach va’adoso.
Have a Kosher un freilichen Shabbos everybody! 🙂
Can we please get a translation of the letter above??? 😬😬😬😬
All those clamming that we should stop showing our opposition to the eruv for sake of ahavas Israel is the same as saying you shouldnt care about anyone’s aveira let them do whatever they want even if they will sin due the lack of knowledge and because they are trusting a greedy individual that only cares about money, as seen before in regards to converting goyim shelo kehalocho even his father was ashamed of him…. here is not the place to speak about that. The main thing you should know is that building a Eruv in the shchuna and making… Read more »
Let’s forget about halacha, THIS IS THE REBBE’S SHCHUNA AND THE REBBE WAS AGAINST IT AND FOR THAT REASON ITSELF N O O N E HAS THE RIGHT TO GO AGAINST THE REBBE!!!! AND ANYONE WHO DOES SHOULD KNOW THEY ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE!!!!
Please watch what and how you say things to others , do not curse them or wish harm upon them as you may not agree with their behavior. Words hurt and can cause real harm to others. Lashon haroh is not something Chabad tends to follow.
In the ‘Yeshivish world’, if someone decides they want to be a little bit modern, they no longer consider themselves Yeshivish. They are still good Jews, but they’re very happy calling themselves, frum or whatever. In Chabad, we have a sickness. Everyone that learned in Chabad or grew up in a Lubavitcher home wants to be labeled as Chabad, or Chabad lite. They want their hedonistic lifestyles to be condoned and accepted by everyone else. Their battle cry is “The Rebbe had Ahavas Yisroel’ etc. We’ve all heard their destructive Baloney stories. The reality is that many aren’t even frum.… Read more »
You are NOT a lubavitcher – yopu are a LubavitcherHATER – YOU are NOT a resident of crown heights – you sound like an ailient – enjoy your cholent – and dont deliver treifa cholent to other shuls PLEASE – you sound like you enjoy cholent so please keep it ALL for yourself
Dont forget to ask Mechilla from the Rebbe!!!!!
When is this ever going to end , enough with the eruv going back and forth the eruv was not put up for chabad to use any way, by now I guess people made up their minds if they want to use the eruv or not, enough already
I am proud to be lubavitch, to be a chossid of the rebbe, and follow the horaos of the crown heights beis din, that the rebbe initiated!
Excuse me? The rabbonim don’t respect their community?!?!? Are you aware that they don’t even get a salary from this community?!?! Yet they are busy answering questions day and night. Who is not respecting?!?!? Don’t use someone else’s conflict as an excuse to not listen to a psak of every rav of this community. The problem starts with YOU and your attitude. Maybe go find out instead how two rabbonim can get the salaries that they deserve instead of making excuses for yourself. Shame on you to speak so disrespectfully about rabbonim.
You don’t just mater neder to be less frum to make it ok. You don’t seem to know the laws of nedorim. If you took on a chumrah that you realize now you didn’t realize what was involved then you can ask a rav if there are grounds to matir neder. This is an issue of mechalel shabbos that no one can use hatoras niddorim to get out of.
It’s horrifying to see the mitzva of ahavas yisroel being used as a tool to sin. In the name of ahavas yisroel people say they can do whatever they want and everyone should just love them anyway and not bother them. That’s not the rebbes definition of ahavas yisroel. That’s blind love for themselves without taking responsibility for their actions. Ahavas yisroel means we are accountable for each other so it’s my business if you are sinking my ship!!!!! Because I care about you I will try to stop you from being mechallel shabbos, just as I would try to… Read more »
We had the sedukim, keraim, yoshkaniks, reform.
They are gone or quickly intermarrying into oblivion.
So we need another break away that is with the times. Maybe you could call yourselves the. Chuchusim – short for ch chulent shleping sussim.
Don’t be a ferd because of your yetzer horo.
It seems there are people not even aware that this fake eruv does even cover the general crown heights area. So people think they have an eruv and it’s the same as if the eruv were in China. Makes no difference as it’s not counted either way. But how many shuls are far out there anyway?
I am just speculating, but this is so divisive and inappropriate that maybe he is anti-Chabad and just can’t help but start trouble? Its so very ODD.
What is there to write comments on COL about this? Condolences belong to the family. We all know it’s horrendously horrible. Working to make peace amongst us will do more for the grieving family than our ‘comments’ about their tragedy
To Number 7 Your comment about the number of people traversing Flatbush proves that you have NOT understood or not read read the long Tshuvo of Reb Moishe. Reb Moishe זצ״ל explains that the whole of Brooklyn is a רשות הרבים In any case, the 2 halchik issue of wherther Brooklyn is a רשות הרבים and whether streets are more than 16 אמות wide is not relevant as far as Anash are concerned because the Rebbe’s letter published early on this site makes the Rebbe’s position absolutely clear that in today’s large cities, when the Eruv goes down on Shabbos… Read more »
I am deeply offended by the comparison of the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZTZ”L with The Rosh Yeshiva Reb Ahron Kotler ZTZ”L.
How this eiruv is tearing the crown heights based chabad community apart
I just hope we are getting closer to moshiach
Now the eruv is according to the Alter Rebbe? This is how information gets lost in translation. There not a single rov who said that this is according to the Alter Rebbe… because that would make them look silly… you’re silly.
It would logically follow that an erev isn’t going to make any difference.
The eruv is not kosher by any standards, not just the Alter Rebbe’s.
Was every person within the perimeter asked if they wanted an eruv, and did they agree? You know full well the answer was “no”, to both of those questions. Every respectable Rav, Lubavitch and Non, came out against this eruv.
Every time something small and insignificant happens we have these people screaming we need Moshiach now! We should all grow up and let people live. When arguing with The reform rabbis about who is a Jew they would always point out that it’s not who is a Jew but who is a rabbi because the rabbis decide Jewish law. So one person will say this Rabbi is not legitimate and the other will say the other one is not legitimate now we have to decide who is a rabbi that we follow which is totally up to the individual. every… Read more »
is treif, so no one will eat it. Such a waste of good cholent :-((
Arizal carried in old city of tsfas where an eiruv is possible,very narrow alleyways
There r def ways of making an eiruv but for crown heights with kingston or Eastern pkwy,ossur
However there r ways of doingit a few houses together from the back bec the streets are way too wide
For your own benefit please read #33!!!
This fighting has to stop ahavas Yisroel is more important
יתמו חטאים ולא חוטאים.
May anyone who needs to stop carrying on Shabbos come that realization בחסד וברחמים, not גבורות.
Stop sending people to heaven! You aren’t g-d
A rov said Eruv is ok so stop with the threats. I’m sure if we are making chesbons g-d has a lot on you already. Be careful once you judge get ready for g-d to judge you too.
Thhos are bylaws of Reform movement …
we all know where is the rabbe stand about itP
It’s nothing too doo wete ahaavas Israel… don’t foOl yourself and don’t fool people
Dont be so proud to carry on shabos.
You may just put a heavenly decree that
YOU WILL BE CARRIED ON SHABOS…..
be aware the one above knows exactly what your
intentions are.
Our forefathers had tremendous self sacrifice. Literally risking their life not to be mechalel shabos chas vsholom
And here in america you want to use g-d’s given blessing
That we could b”h keep shabos b’hidur freely. To go against hashem?
Be careful for your own good.
Dont say you weren’t warned.
Hundreds upon hundreds of commentators for the past few weeks on this Eiruv. As an out of towner I’m sick of seeing all the in fighting. A 13 year old child was murdered in Eretz Yisroel and all COL could illicit was 11 comments!!!! What is wrong with you people?! Just stop with the fighting, live and let live. No wonder there is a shidduch crisis, tznius crisis, Eiruv Crisis, Tuition Crisis, Of the Derech Crisis, and whatever other crisis CH can come up with. Stop the fighting! Who really cares who uses the Eiruv? Serving Hashem is a personal… Read more »
if any one has a questions about a ravs psak din go and ask that rav. you cant come here and say your opinion against the rav because you have an argument. people on COL may not know how to explain the ravs shita. and you cant just not accept a ravs psak din because of question you have. but you may ask the rav to explain it to you or maybe he will agree with you but until he backs down his psak is final.
im talking about questions on the psak of CH rabonim
….Rabbi Weissmandl has to remind you that our Rebbe lives only if WE live. (mah zar’oi bachayim, af hu bachayim).
Fellow Jews, we must learn Chassidus for a minimum of 15 minutes everyday…..
Love to ALL.
It’s not the job of the Rabbonim to “force” you into respecting them; it’s up to you. EVERY SINGLE RAV in CH came out against the Eruv. You want your children to respect authority, correct? How does spitting in the face of every authority figure in the community seem like a good idea to you? Where’s YOUR Ahavas Yisroel?
Yes… And also there are rabbis who allow 1 hour between meat and milk and rabbis who allow just mouth rising between milk and meat, and rabbis who will tell you it’s a mitzva to shave and rabbis who will tell you…….. On and on…. That is why you are supposed to choose a rabbi and not veer from what he says and it’s also why you are not allowed to ask one rabbi a question and then go to another if you don’t like the answer……
Eruvin in Metropolitan Areas
the authority of badatz is limited according to torah.
They can pasken according to a minority view not to rely on the eiruv. But they cant pasken that those who rely on eiruv are ‘Mechalelei Shabos Befarhesia’ which is against all great poskim. &accepted by klal yisrael as tottaly outrageous
how do you know that the arizal carried on shabbos with an eiruv?
you just believe that guy?
it sems from another comment that someone tried to look up the source given and could not find it.
tell me, if some doctors would tell you to take a certain medicine or to eat certain foods and other doctors tell you that its poison for you, would anyone in the right mind eat that?
no body can stop you from being mechalel shabbos but why make other people eat food which was carried on shabos?!
you are a chote umachtie es horabim!!!!!!!!!
why are you proud of going against torah?
no real rabbi endorsed this. only fake ones.
would you do a surgery by anyone who has the letters dr, b4 their name or would you do a bit of research b4 doing something dangerous?
If the Eruv is kosher but not with the standard of Chabad then there is room to have different opinion and some may use it and some not. If the Eruv is not kosher then there is nothing to talk about. The source of all the problem in CH: The rabonim of CH doesn’t respect each other and doesn’t respect their community and their needs. No wonder why they are not respected in their own community and that the community goes and get other rabonim opinion. The problem start by the head, fix the head, let them behave like the… Read more »
The same Rav that was Mesader Kedushin & the same Rav who sold your Chometz & answers Taharas Mishpacha questions…
Should be the same Rav when saying NO to an Eruv in CH.
No picking and choosing loopholes when its a Biblical prohibition!
beat the previous comment-record-holder: COTS
Go Team!
number 8:
Good idea! Would you please let us know which shuls will serve your cholent? 🙂
OOOOOObviously you are confused and don’t get the point.
Please ask a Chabad Rabbi or knowledgeable friend to
explain to you why there is NO EIRUV IN CROWN HEIGHTS.
The talk of an eiruv IS NOT according to the ALTER REBBE!
Have a GOOD SHABBOS in accordance with HALACHA!
…nobody will trust your kashrus anymore
Can’t wait to see what’s behind door # 3 (or 91!)
Thank you COL for posting the letter. Hopefully much of the damage inflicted by the unprecedented kol koreh can be spared. Those who care about basic halacha and basic decency should be reeling about how someone can write a letter, without talking to any of the Crown Heights rabbonim, that dismisses them without addressing any of the serious issues. This is not just improper. It’s unheard of. But that was the least of the problems. The author, using numerous and dangerous (I’ll explain) half-truths, went on to quote a story with Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon, and how the Sages praised… Read more »
Please call a moratorium on publishing every new details. The psak has been given multiple times for Crown Heights. Why post every meshugane’s new intervention?
All I can say is we need moshiach…..
We need moshiach!!!
How dare he mix in in our community!!!!!!
When the frierdiker rebbe was in yerushalayim, he did not use the eruv
Look at this tit for tat mud slinging and you’ll see why the rabonim have so little influence.
We need a tell adult to stand up give real answers such as is one who uses this erub a michalel Shabbos or just not following shitas chabad?
You can get this rabbi and that rabbi’s letters it doesn’t change the fact that there are rabbis that came out in support of the crown heights Eruv. Period end of story. This Eruv story has just reinforced my negative view of the ch rabonim.
I’m a lubavitch resident of ch and will carry on Shabbos with this Eruv and my family will carry too. And b’hidur! I’ll be distributing pots of chulent to various shuls in ch on Shabbos
He can easily respond just by saying those psokin are based upon the ruling of Reb Moshe Feinstein that have now been proven to be based on miss information as to the actual numbers of people traversing in given parts of Brooklyn in a given time frame see Flatbush eruv.
y are you insisting on believing an ignoramus?
just admit that you want to carry no matter what anyone says
dont start blaming your yetzer hara on holy ppl.
I dont think any more letters this way or that is going to change anyones mind.
As a lubavitcher living outside crown heights, it pains me to see how others meaning not chabad look at us. Tzniyus is one huge issue and now this. I belive any letter either way is just adding fuel to the fire and making a bigger chilul lubavitch. This is really not who and and what we are. Lets all just move on….
P.s. thanks hashem we didnt ask monsy rabbis about there opinion on c.o.t.s.
Maybe NOW “they” will listen.
It shows that they don’t ANY regard for any of the Rabonim of CH.
Now that Rav Wiesmandel wrote his opinion, maybe just maybe they will listen….
Ad mosay?!
the Arizal carried with a eruv and so did the chachomim…
the eruv is according to the alter rebbe and its a mitzva to enjoy it…
This is so sad…what have we come to?????