By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon – Cincinnati Ohio
All Chassidei Chabad are shocked, horrified and angry about the events that took place in 770. A few heavily misguided “Porkei Ol” decided on their own – against the will of the Rabbanim, Gabbaim and Askanim, and thus against the Rebbe – to “expand 770”. They created a terrible world-wide Chillul Hashem and caused 770 to be closed by the NYPD.
There is no justification, or rationalization, of such behavior and it is demanded of everyone – “right, left and center”- to make clear that this behavior has no place amongst Adas Chassidim and all need to understand this is not an ideological-”meshichist” issue. The eerie similarities to this event and what is going on in Eretz HaKodesh is chilling.
With that clear and clarified, it is very important to break up this story – as everything that happens (especially of such large attention and significance) must be a lesson in our own Avodah – and discuss a few components: 1) The goal: The expansion of 770. 2) The desire of the Bochurim to expand 770. 3) The proper way to channel the energy of our youth (and where did things go wrong).
The Goal: Expansion of 770
There are very few things that the Rebbe invested so much personal time and energy – and took so personal – as the expansion of 770. The Rebbe personally participated in the groundbreaking, spoke Sichos and edited the famous Kuntres Beis Rabbeinu Shebebavel. The Rebbe complained – when he saw that there was no significant movement – that (I am not quoting the exact Lashon) “they took a ninety year old man to schlepp stones and nothing happened”.
A true embarrassment to Lubavitch is the lack of growth of the Rebbe’s Shul. While the population tripled, the Shul stayed the same size. While every other Chassidus has built beautiful centers, Lubavitch has remained stagnant.
Let us be open and honest: It is not a question of money and architects. There are plans and there are people that have been, and continue to be, ready to pay. The money spent on the endless court case about the “true ownership of 770” could have paid for a significant part of the expansion of the Shul.
Stories about being the “boiler room of Lubavitch” and “keeping the Shul the way it was in the 90’s so that our children can see it” may sound nice, but are no excuse not to do what is right and what the Rebbe wants.
In short: Expanding 770 is something personal to the Rebbe and every Chassid that the Rebbe’s will is dear to their heart should not be apathetic about this issue and should be willing to do anything is their power and ability to expand 770.
The desire of the Bochurim to expand 770
The Rebbe has unlimited love to the Bochurim and they have always reciprocated with unlimited love to the Rebbe and complete dedication to any directive of the Rebbe. The Rebbe literally gives the Talmidim “Birchas Habbanim” – the Bracha that father gives his children on Erev Yom Kippur! – only to Talmidei HaYeshiva. The bochurim always saw that the Rebbe believed in their potential and their youthful energy and idealism.
In fact, the message that the Rebbe wants us to give over to all the youth of this generation on Yud Shevat is: “In the course of the day, people (who are fit for the task) should visit centers of observant youth — and, in a neighborly spirit, should make every endeavor to also visit centers for the youth who are not yet observant — in order to explain to them the great love that the Rebbe had for them. It should be explained to them what the Rebbe expected from them, his hope for them and the trust that he placed in them that they would ultimately fulfill their task of strengthening Judaism and disseminating the study of Torah with all the energy, warmth and vitality that characterize youth.”
The Bochurim have always been in the forefront of actualizing the inner will and desire of the Rebbe and were always trying to be creative in “giving the Rebbe nachas”. Whether it was any of the Mivtzoim, Mitzvah tanks, or anything else that the Rebbe wanted accomplished, it always was the Bochurim leading the charge.
[Being open and honest: Even the previous expansions of 770 were done through some zealous and Chassidishe Bochurim (see enclosed pictures). There are obvious differences to those expansions and the current demolition.]
In short: The desire of the Bochurim to expand 770 is admirable and the way it should be. In a generation of apathy and lack of motivation, it should be a goal of the Mechanchim to bring the talmidim to idealism, passion and dedication.
The proper way to educate and channel the energy of the youth
The Rebbe has two unique, and seemingly opposite approaches when it comes to the Chinuch of the Talmidim. As mentioned, the Rebbe is very open about his love and care of the Talmidim. At the same time, the Rebbe is so demanding on discipline and Kabbalas Ol. In Tomchei Temimim, the mashgichim make the talmidim crazy about coming just a few minutes late and everything must go through the Hanhallas HaYeshiva.
This – seeming – “rigid structure” is not a contradiction of the love of the Rabbeim, quite the contrary: When you truly love someone, you want them to be able to be the most productive that they possibly can. Instilling true Kabalas Ol in the Talmidim enables them to be true soldiers in the Rebbe’s army and to use their abilities to bring the Geula. That is why the Rebbe demanded that everything a person does need to be discussed with their personal Mashpia.
These bochurim are obviously missing in this basic and important aspect. While the desire to expand 770 is admirable, their lack of Kablas Ol caused a Chilul Hashem and churban. It is similar to Nadav and Avihu or had the “Ratzui” and Not the “shuv” and Korach who – as explained in chassidus – was “living with Moshiach – when all are equal etc.” but ended up fighting Moshe Rabbeinu Himself! Instead of being educated to receive Hashpaah from 770, they feel emboldened to be Mashpia on 770.
[Being open and transparent: This did not begin with destroying the physical building of 770, it started much earlier with disregarding the authority of the Gabbaim with “dollars”, “giving the Rebbe and Aliya” and being physical and violent about the “shvil”. Too many people just dismissed it saying “at least they are busy with something that looks spiritual”. That is another big mistake. Misplaced idealism has led to many senseless wars and destruction. People in authority have to exercise their authority before things get completely blown out of proportion.]
There is no question that the Temimim – Chayolei Beis Dovid – will lead the charge to the Geula. Now it is incumbent on the adults to put aside all Cheshbonos and “expand 770”! I am sure that with the right mediators and goodwill, the Gabbaim and “Aguch” could sit and work out the future of the the expanded 770 in a way that works for mainstream Anash and this sad event can be the beginning of a very bright future in which the Rebbe is the true winner.
Davening for the complete expansion into the Beis Hamidash Hashlishi!
Please feel free to share your thoughts, on the above in the comments section or by sending me a personal email: [email protected]
We can pave a long road to he** with all these good intentions…
Is it right or wrong to feel strongly that 770 should be expanded?
You are an ignorant person
Everything that is written about this disaster is being picked up by the press of the entire world .
It would be prudent not to air all of our dirty laundry for the world to see.
It’s picked up and crazy speculations being made already , clarity is helpful to many who want to understand.
would be more prudent to get order of protection barring
these hamasniks from 770 and crown heights
and changing the failing management gabaiim of 770o who allow these
palesrinian types in the place and thus are complicit
This is what some people wanted!
It’s deeply concerning that these young men are displaying such troubling behavior. However, attributing good intentions to their actions, especially when done by a respected figure or ‘mashpia’, is inappropriate in this context. Such behavior besides being barbaric in its own right has caused a chilul hashem that we have never seen before. Those in positions of influence, who might understand these individuals, should first introspect to see if they could have prevented this situation. Additionally, publishing articles that appear to rationalize such actions, even while disclaiming justification, is counterproductive and may inadvertently endorse this kind of behavior in the… Read more »
You probably have never entered 770
It was hard to go inside even before the closing because it is always a big mess and hefkervelt
Thank you for saying it just right!! These pepele are crazy and are detroying peples property!! how dare they have the audasity!! and dont speak to me about how the rebbe loves the bachurim. if they love the rebbe than they wouldnt destroy his shul! This is a massive chilul hashem and chilul lubavitch! They start fighting with the police and throwing bentches. voilince is not tolerated! Then they start singing yechi when they are being arrested! Mamesh a chutzpa. The should go back from where they came from!! This would be absulotly not heard of in another chassidus. I… Read more »
Well said, you hit the nail on the head Rabbi Avtzon!
Thanks to these bochurim the internet is filled with conspiracy theories accusing jews of citywide tunnels and child trafficking. They were selfish, shortsighted, and self righteous. And from what I have seen so far is all they did was increase antisemitism tenfold. You don’t even realize the magnitude of their actions.
You are very wrong.
It’s because people like you that justify this behavior even somewhat that we have this issues.
If a group of guys come to your yeshivah and break down the walls would you say the same!?
You just trying to cover you guilt.
what guilt does the dear Rabbi have?
where do you see justification?
did he not write “There is no justification, or rationalization, of such behavior and it is demanded of everyone – “right, left and center”- to make clear that this behavior has no place amongst Adas Chassidim and all need to understand this is not an ideological-”meshichist” issue.”
There’s a reason the expansion didn’t happen. Because the Rebbe didn’t want it. So it stopped. Learn your history
Can you cite a source for us so that it can resolve the debate? Even so everyone will twist it to what fits their own belief but if it’s a clear source stating the expansion plans were dropped maybe it will shed some light. Thanks
The guilt that the yechi chinuch has brought this destruction.
When a few years ago kids were treated violently in 770 just because the didn’t like a Rebbe video played from jem, everyone was silent.
I believe he feels guilty because this are the peiros of the yechi movement.
When you always know better and dismiss the respected rabbonim this is what happens.
Eat what you cooked.
I think the phrase “You sleep in the bed you make” would be better in this context.
Yes it’s time to expand 770 and I’m not even a Lubavitcher. I see skver has begun building an expanded shul from five thousand to a new shul that will hold ten thousand chassidim. If they can do it why can’t chabad. Maybe this event will spark people to begin expanding 770 to 7700 chassidim.
If a poor person wins the lottery, chances are he’ll get into more debt because he didn’t learn how to spend money wisely. Same here. If you try to expand 770 and you don’t address the root of the problem, you’ll end up with a bigger mess
Lots of infighting and confusion on parts of people’s beliefs
While the court cases go on expanding 770 is a problem because to expand the property you have to own it.
Not unless rabbi yehuda krinsky and the gabboim agree on a solution can 770 be expanded.
Now only rabbi krinsky spoke out. Not a word from the gabboim
It’s you. Hi. Your the problem it’s you.
At tea time, everybody agrees
They’ll stare directly in the sun but never in the mirror
It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
I love the fact that you condemn their behaviour. But with all due respect this sounds like the ppl saying “I condemn hammas but you have to understand that this didn’t begin on October 7.” “Open air prison…” This has nothing to do with expanding 770. That these ppl want a Seder and Harchava in 770 is laughable. This problem is going on for far too long because of your approach of “we have to understand where it’s coming from “. Rabbi Gershy Avtzen. Please say this jungle like running of 770 has proven itself not to work and cause… Read more »
Shame on you. There is nothing admirable about them or any yellow flag Moshiachist. What they are on the inside has been revealed to the outside. The yellow flag movement is an abomination, it has always been, and it always will be. The road to he’ll is paved with good intention. Its time to bury the yellow flags deep under the cemented tunnels and all the Yechi people and their enablers should beg Mechila by the Ohel. They made a chillul lubavitch on Gimmel Tammuz and they continue to do so 30 years later. RACHAMANA lITZLAN!!
R’ SB Drizin tried 20 years ago,he drew up plans, pledged $25m to fund the expansion (https://col.org.il/news/8160). The same group that did this went on a milchoma against him with culminated in destroying the cornerstone etc…and kicked off the last 20 years of litigation between the “gabboim” and merkos/aguch.
Rabbi avtzon most of what you said I’d correct but the pictures that you present where bochrim trying to get the shul ready for the rebbe to come down this bochrim where doing destruction no expansion in fact they caused the lady’s shul to partly closed and now 770 is closed so you can’t compare the two things
With all due respect, this writer is part of the problem…
that the entire world in one day learned about the expansion of 770. I’m a shliach in a small town A BB called me laughing about this this “non” story that the whole media world has taken on… we ended up having a very serious discussion about the rebbes will to expand 770, at the end of the discussion he wanted to know how he could help.
Expand 770 now… the bigger chilul Hashem is the courts and infighting amongst the leaders.
This story never happened
never happened is what you want to believe…..it doesn’t fit your narrative, yes it did happen……
I wrote the story…. let me say to my fellow shluchim, be careful the way you answer people , they are not stupid, the way we have built mikvaos and asked people for money for our buildings with barely any plans and oversight,sounds just as crazy as the ones we are talking about..
The BB admire us for this…..
rebuild 770 now!
I know a chabad house in Queens that has been stalled for decades. It’s not about the infighting. It’s about competency and the gabboim in charge of 770 don’t have it either
That’s a different issue that has to do with funds and different politics. And yes of course there is infighting and has been for many decades. Is your head in the sand?
What expansion are you talking about? This is pure destruction of the foundations both physically and spiritually of Chabad and 770 with the only motivation being power and control, exploiting the open inviting atmosphere of the Shul. Nothing to do with Maschiach or the Rebbe.
שאף מי שאכל מאכל איסור בלא הודע לשם שמים וגם פעל ועשה כן איסורה משלוש קליפות הטמאות
Rabbi Avtzon, you are an enabler and just as culpable as the people themselves. You encourage this behavior
Read the article,,, where is the enabling?
And send the bochurim and gabboim away. Then 770 will expand but right now it’s not even safe to be opened for anyone
Not about yellow flags. Not about “meshichists”. We’re all Meshichists because we want Moshiach now. And there are plenty of people who say yechi or don’t, who have Yechi Yarmulka or not, with and without yellow flags, doing really good things in avodas Hashem, ahavas yisrael, ahavas Torah… Bringing Moshiach. Everyone gets to pray for our own ability to be respectful. A bit off balance and without regard to hilchos shmiras haloshon to equate the disturbed bochurim with the hard working gabboyim i think. I know it’s all upsetting. Let’s stop and pray.
Who let the bochurim in the first place? You don’t want responsible chasidim in charge because they will put an end to the yechi business and that’s why we’ll continue to get these bochurim
As I was growing up, for some unknown reason to me I understood the Rebbe at a certain point became against expanding. Perhaps because of the discord that erupted .
I’m not blaming these bochurim. It’s the chinuch I’m blaming . Their leaders. Their yeshiva
Historical correction to the pictures: The Bachurim did NOT engage in the expansion project in their own. The expansion was Already in progress by a professional contractor. They were having issues demolishing the basement wall between the two buildings, and the Rebbe wanted the shul open for Yom Kippur. So the Bachurim went and helped out with the demolition one night, so that half the wall was down. For YK, they put tables in the other side, so that you could see over the wall, and by Sukkos, the contractor was able to complete the job properly. PLEASE DO NOT… Read more »
Collive you know better than this.
This post should not have been posted.
With all the respect to Rabbi Avtzon, I really enjoy his posts usually but this time…
These boys do NOT care about 770 one bit.
Point number two. These boys are just the henchmen. They represent a bigger movement and it should be given 0 respect or credibility
You do great things but this is just undermining all your activities, this occurrence has to be called out in extreme terms, the damage these chevra did bgashmiyus ubruchniyus is hard to exaggerate. Please see what’s going on, this is just too much.
… Even if one ate a forbidden food unwittingly lisheim shomayim …it is held captive in the power of the sitra achra misholois klipois hatmei’ois
absolutely no, shame on rabbi avtzon for writing this & a bigger shame on collive for promoting it there is NO justification in what happened and anyone who tries to justify it, is enabling these actions. exactly what has been happening the past 30 years in 770 & beyond, enablers allowing this chillul hahsem to happen while we are talking about what the rebbe wants (which is mystifying, as those bohcurim didnt think for one second about the rebbe), the rebbe stated that 770 belongs to Aguch. so grow up, admit past mistakes & let the people the Rebbe put… Read more »
Aguch is meant to be representative of the Chassidim. Quite literally. It’s not supposed to be an individual or independent “owner” but a body representative of all Chassidei Chabad. If Aguch would respect that probably it would be more accepted as an authority. As in Didan Notzach of the seforim , the seforim are the “nachlas haklal” belonging to all of the chassidim and klal Yisrael. As the Rebbetzin ztl famously said ” my father and his seforim belonged to the chassidim” Likewise, 770 belongs to the chassidim (as per the Rebbe’s sichos) and the Gabboim were elected by them.… Read more »
Yes, chassidus is “nachlas haklal” — but did you know that in 1990 the Rebbe had the corporate papers of Aguch CHANGED so that there could NO LONGER BE ELECTIONS for Aguch? Meaning, that the Rebbe deliberately removed the option for the “community” to vote for whom they wished into positions of leadership within Chabad. The Rebbe wanted that possibility off the table. The Rebbe installed certain people into Aguch. They are human beings just like you and me. But they were entrusted with this responsibility. And it is they who have the achrayus to step in and change the… Read more »
The truth is this is normal for them if they rip up kehos books, throw eggs at mashpiim spit at rabbinim they don’t agree with attack screens that display jem videos this is a symptom of a much greater problem, the extremist mishichistim starting from zimronis fanatic shittos to punching people by the shvil have been engaged in a mob rule of 770 far to long and I’m afraid to say people like rabbi avtzon with all due respect have also been enabling this far to long. Lhoir a nice chunk of the authors yeshiva this year will not and… Read more »
I think anyone rational understands that this misguided attempt to expand 770 is nothing more than criminal vandalism by troubled youth.
There is nothing admirable about their intentions. The only thing to be learned from these lunatics is to stay as far away as possible from them and anything connected to them.
If you take extreme mischechist ideas to the furthest extreme you get bochurim demolishing the Rebbes shul.
If you take the extreme anti – mischechist mara shchoreh “depressed” they are building clean place in queens to receive Brachos via the Rebbe and connect to him.
All of us nameless commentators don’t have to “face the music” for what we write.
Rabbi Avtzon – who is an open meshichist (which is perfectly fine) – has come out with such a strong condemnation of these Bochurim (which also claim to be meshichist) and the commentators call him an enabler?
If he would keep quiet, and not condemn, it could be understood as enabling.
He is very brave and has clear shitos.
It seems to me that there are those which don’t like ANY meshichist – and are jealous on the influence the Rabbi Avtzon has..be honest
It’s people like you who make chassidim question the future of lubavitch. We need real mashpiim. You have zero touch with reality. What an embarrassment. Let’s try to see you “justify” October 7th, it’s “Complex” isn’t it? Shame on you Gershon. You don’t see mental illness for what it is and you take advantage and misguide this cancer of a movement by becoming an enabler.
We are all ashamed.
Finally, putting things into perspective.
Thank you!
this Mashpia forgot that the good intentions of the Meraglim brought bechiyoh ledoiros including the destruction of the 2 temples
Read the article!
He points to the lack of leadership in the building and the Yeshiva there.
There is Hefkeirus and no structure and that has to change.
Bochurim need to be guided to use their energy in the right place so they build instead of destroy
What on earth are you on!!?? This is just a stupid immature and uneducated way of looking at things. You think that 770 needs to be expanded?? What does that have to do with this behavior??? I also think Palestinians need a home. What does that have to do with Israel and their continuous slaughter before, during and after simchas Torah!!?? Go get your brain cleaned and checked. This is unacceptable and unheard of. Connecting the two issues is encouraging their ongoing behavior. “These” people were around b4 Gimmel Tammuz, on Gimmel Tammuz and today after Gimmel Tammuz. When will… Read more »
I’m in shock, I am appalled! !!!!!
Oy the drama, chill out dude
I’m sorry to say, you are a crazy meshichist yourself,
They had absolutely zero positive intentions, and know it, you are just frightened to speak up against them, and receive backlash. Shame on you.
Boruch
All he did was speak out against them!
This past tishrei I remember being Squeezed to a pulp and literally felt my rib cage caving in.. Hearing “HATZALAH” during rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur Unfortunatelybecame the norm Expanding 770 is to an extant is to prevent the next meron 2.0 *before pushing aside the Expanding 770 saga ask yourself the simple question retrospectively “when was the last time I was in 770?!” Not in 770 for mincha I mean in 770 for a duration of time to feel how integral the expansion is. Expanding without a permit is ILLEGAL. just don’t jump on this Opportunity saying “aha, you see,… Read more »
You are just so clearly out of touch no less then these guys!!
These pictures of Bochrim helping in תשל”ד to expand 770 – was when the workers couldn’t work fast enough then for the Shul to be ready for Selichos. So all the Bochrim got together and helped remove the dirt as fast as possible.
To compare these hoodlums of today to the bochrim then is a Chutzpa!!
you didn’t have to write that as the first words of your article, because I didn’t see any poll asking anyone if they’re shocked etc. si
ar to the last oped dictating to everybody how they should feel you really don’t represent everybody.
I guarantee you a greater percentage of “all Chassidey chabad” are sick and tired of the infighting when together with yngerlite and shluchim building “with nothing from nothing” we could have 770 built Big and beautiful.
Time for new leadership.
To expand 770 now – a place run by מחוצפים who tear Sichos and Maamorim of the Rebbe (on Shabbos) and do whatever they feel and make a hugh Chilil Hashem – will only make it more comfortable for the hoodlems…
Only ONCE they are removed and dismantled – should 770 be expanded and then all Anash, once again, will come back to daven in 770 once again as in the normal times.
Chash Veshiolom to expand NOW!!
Thank you for your wise words
There is no way to accept Rabbi Avtzon’s approach. Bochurim have no business involving themselves in matters such as these. Their whole existence is to sit a learn with in the confines of yeshivah. There is no greater chasid than our Rebbe to the Frierdike Rebbe and he never did such outrageous antics and brazenly break multiple dinim in Shulchan Aruch. Such people must be ostracized and those who perpetrated this should be arrested and deported if possible. It is also time for our Rabbonim to step up and take control with the Baalei batim and stop this madness. Voice… Read more »
Rabbi Avtzon,
Are you serious? You are – sadly an example a ‘Misguided’ – albeit “Admirable” Mashpia!!
what Chassidus says about Esav? Or the Meraglim? Or Korach? Or lots of other villains of Jewish history? Yes, we do learn about how their desire was admirable but yet not to be emulated – exactly the same as R. Avtzon is saying here.
Was going to say same. Even nadav and avihu, .the rebbe showed us their intentions were out of intense love of Hashem.
Even chet hegel has a positive intention.
Sorry, not proper to address rabbi avtson as in several comments here.
Lastly, I agree tht I also understood way back in the day, tht the Rebbe refused the expansion
It’s nice to see what Cincinnati yeshivah teaches the bochurim, it’s such stupid and idiotic rhetoric you keep spewing is absolutely ridiculous and it shows what you truly are a terrorist sympathizer, you are no better than the people that say we understand Chamas’s plea it’s disgusting you are abomination and I don’t want you going near any of my kids Chinuch or anyone’s kids for that matter you should stop posting your stupid op-Eds and start educating YOURSELF on how the rebbe wants YOU to behave With hope that Hashem will send you a TRUE refuah shleima along with… Read more »
Let’s compare tzfatim who break a wall and get arrested to ppl who kill babies and kidnap woman, it seems like your the disgusting one. This overreaction is literally insane. Every group has crazies, the right has the the proud boys, the left has blm, satmar has neturei karta, skvere bochur burns a house down, ponovezh bochurim beat up the other rosh yeshiva and the list goes on. If the worst our crazies do is break a wall and get arrested I’ll take that
I didn’t say they are chamas I said people like this “mechanich that teach kids to cause such “terrorist” acts are no better then people who support terrorism-like chamas I encourage you to read a book and get a little more educated before you start defending people that to quote the rebbe words to those who do terrorist acts in the name of lubavitch “not only go against me, but all the reabeim till hashem himself But if you think you are still smarter than the rabeim and the rabbonim by all means you go ahead just don’t call yourself… Read more »
it is outrageous to speak that way to a veteran mechanech
And now count to ten.
You sound angry and confused.
How can you compare the bochurim that originally expanded 770 that truly cared about the rebbe, to these TERRORISTS that seem on drugs and are truly crazy! These guys that dug these tunnels need to be deported and never allowed back into 770. They have zero clue what a rebbe is, they are worshipping a bumper sticker and yellow flag. They couldn’t care less what a chilul hashem the cause every day and caused this week. We are dealing with mental cases! How dare you give it any approval what so ever! You are destroying people from respecting normal meshichist.… Read more »
How are they terrorists? Crazies yes but terrorist?
ter·ror·ist
noun
a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
“four commercial aircraft were hijacked by terrorists”
adjective
unlawfully using violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
“a terrorist organization”
Everything R’ Avtzon is writing is the truth.
It’s also true that 770 needs to be expanded.
It’s also true that what happened was a terrible thing, and lot’s of people need to take accountability for it. The Bochurim, their Mashpiim, Aguch, the Gabboim. Years of neglect by the latter two for whatever reason has led to this. Hopefully this is the wake up call they all needed to effect positive productive change..
You cannot say 770 needs expasion and these bochurims actions are terrible in the same breath,
There is nothing these boys did that was good not even their intentions
As a daily functioning Shul with the amount of visitors it gets on a weekly basis, especially on Shabbos, there isn’t enough room for the community at large to enjoy it. Most fathers with young children can’t go there and sit comfortably. More often than not they need to stand for the entire Davening. point being, 770 needs expansion. At the same time there is a proper way to have this done. The Bochurim acted on their own without permission or consent of whoever runs 770, and that’s a terrible thing, especially the Chilul Hashem it caused.
They are not about expanding 770! This hefkairus has been going on for many years. This group has been doing whatever they want in the name of “meshichistim”. Maybe rabbi Avtzon can take them to his yeshiva and admire them when they turn his yeshiva upside down. Or better, maybe he can find a healthy mashpia who will correct their way of thinking!
If you are considered a mashpia in lubavitch, our children have no future.
U sound no better than Niturei Karta – c’mon
so rediculous
I don’t agree with every word but very good overall
I often am in 600 am and leave around 800 am, every weekday morning for over 15 years. There is plenty of room in that time every morning, maybe about 5 percent of large shul used, maybe 10 percent. I understand a few times per year it is too crowded, when tourists come in. . Actually the massive Tishrei tent ,coupled with Rubashkin sukkah on President are very nice. Thank you to those who made Tishrei nice. There are civil ways to make normal improvements. I do understand much lashon in sichos and maamarim is about maal’a tam v’das. This… Read more »
You are one of the greatest enablers of these sorts of bochurim in all of Lubavitch.
so sad to see a so called “mashpia” write like this you are the problem to whatever happened!
Look at the pics of the planned building facade for our 770. It’s is
a “spaceship”.
Get a new architect, one more in line with the sensibilities of a holy
shul like 770!!!
https://www.sw-architect.com/770-eastern-parkway
How dare these people draw up plans where the Rebbe’s Library “the Crown Jewel of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement” would be destroyed Chas Veshalom to build their ugly modern structure in its place, and line their own pockets. This is an outrage. Do people in Lubavitch realize this is what they have planned? Or are they deceptively not mentioning this and not showing these pictures of the actual architectural plan in all their aggressive flyers they put in all the shuls of CH on Erev Shabbos to try and brainwash and intimidate people, saying their lines of how the Rebbe wants… Read more »
No one said this is what 770 will look like after expansion. Think of it as conceptual art, anyone may draw their imagination on a canvas, though reality is not required to reflect that image.
With all the hate that we have in our hearts and every body blaming each other for our problems! EVERY CHABAD CHOSSID IS TO BLAME!!!! WE ARE IN GOLUS BECAUSE WE CAN’T DEAL WITH OUR OWN ISSUES!!!! HE’S ANTI, HE’S MESHICHIST HE DID THAT, HE DID THIS, I’M THE BEST, I’M THE RICHEST, IM TO POOREST ETC ETC WE ARE ALWAYS POINTING OUR FINGERS TO OTHERS!! THEN THIS HAPPENS, AND THE HATRED BETWEEN OURSELVES JUST GROWS MORE AND MORE! EVERYONE SHOULD DO A VERY DEEP CHESBHON NEFESH, EVEN THE ONES THAT NEVER SAID ANYTHING, BECAUSE OUR ACTIONS, MODERN CHABAD, CHABAD… Read more »
As Chazal say Peninah was also l’shem shomayim. And as the Kotzker said “such rishus could only be l’shem shomyim…” meaning that no one could do such an act of rishus without justifying and convincing themselves they have noble intentions. The bochurim’s behavior is unacceptable. Period. No excuses. If you want to discuss the “root cause” then remember what the Ben Ish Chai said in an indirect but obvious reference to the famous expression “the road to gehonim is paved with good intentions” The reason for that is because no one who is pure altruism and looking to do the… Read more »
There’s no room for two sides here, period.
Are you burying your head in the sand regarding all the other vandalism and violence that these same perpetrators are doing? shameful.
The Meraglim had good intention. Korach had good intentions. Satan had good intentions. When a travesty occurs, a destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, Beis Rabbeinu Sheb’bovel before our eyes, it is not the time to defend the rogues and destroyers and shift the blame. The Issur of destroy the Beis Hamikash applies to maliciously removing even one stone.
I think this situation stems from the top. 770 needs to be run like a business. There needs to be an owner, administrator and board of directors. With this in place, there would be hired guards patrolling 770 – 24/7. Strict rules for entrance, conduct, etc. would be enforced at all times. Once this is in place, then discussions about, for example, expansion and labels for these bochurim can be discussed. This is about structure, authority and boundaries. Get your act together!
I agree and face recognition of every Jew that wants to step foot in 770…
and a test of this year’s basic legani 5724 second paragraph re: mesiras nefesh for kedusha.
Rabbis and scholars are called the “eyes of the community” and “heads of the thousands of Israel,” and when the head is healthy, the body is then also healthy.
Like honestly…these people are like the babylonians trying to reach g-d and working so well together to build with good intentions but they are getting it so wrong!! Honestly! I feel for their neshamos! May they have a refuah shleima!
actually may this generation with the koch in Instagram tiktok Netflix have a refuah shleimah can u imagine if every Lubavitch bochur was on fire for the rebbe’s rotzon
The issue of expanding 770 at this point is irrelevant, when we have such barbarism in 770 that and only that is the big issue now and not expansion. When these thugs are finally deported for good and this recklessness is long gone then it may be appropriate to discuss other issues. Rabbi Avtzon is obviously missing the point as usual and instead of focusing on the real current issue is in fact supporting these terrorist criminals. What you’re saying is basically Just give them what they want and expand 770 and show them that their terrorism achieved its goal.… Read more »
Society is becoming unhinged. >The eerie similarities to this event and what is going on in Eretz HaKodesh is chilling. Yes, and it’s the same with the the US political scene. People just want their own camp to win and to get one over on others, even if it’s not fair, even if it’s not just, even if it’s not legal. You use your own beliefs to justify your actions and put your beliefs over those of others. I never would have thought I would have seen Chabad behave this way – on both sides. The disrespect for police, the… Read more »
Rabbi Avtzon, In this situation there can be no “But” or justification for what they did by saying their intentions were good. Perhaps you can say that the Romans who destroyed the Beis Hamikdosh had good intentions as well. These hooligans are criminals and you should say that without hiding their crime or trying to gloss it over or pass the blame. They are criminals, enemies of the Rebbe and you should be able to call out evil without following your criticism with a justification or but. In my mind, destroying the Rebbe’s shul where he davened and farbrenged for… Read more »
770 needs to expand. But not in the way these “bochurim” did. It needs to expand by being part of the Beis Hamikdosh Hashlishi. That should be our focus now. How can the Beis Hamikdosh be rebuilt if there is machlokes and disrespect for authority?
Although the rebbe did want to expand 770 that doesn’t mean the ratzon of the bochurim to break down walls without reshus -in other words, to DESTROY- 770 is admirable!!! what they did is disgusting, and the fact that these same bochurim think that they are fulfilling the Rebbe’s ratzon, and that they are singing didan notzach is literately disgusting! Therefore to say that their ratzon is admirable is borderline kefira, and should be oppoligized for!!!!!
If this happened in your yeshivah, those bochurim would have been kicked out. You have kicked out students who vandalized, going so far as threatening to ruin his wedding. So please stop preaching to the people who live in crown heights and have to deal with the backlash from this.
It’s a little bit too late to try and disassociate yourself from the issues that your ideas and endorsements have created.
This is YOUR mess, we are just suffering from the consequences
Just as people’s faces are different so are their minds where’s the respect we speak to each other ?? Unity and achdus brings Moshiach
Whoever caused damage is certainly 100% responsible for it and also for ignoring authority. However, what OTHERS are more responsible for is the chilul H-shem, the very negative and widespread publicity in the Jewish and secular worlds, and the very misleading story told to the world that the “bochurim learning in 770 were trying to ‘destroy 770′” which is actually very different than “a group of bochurim unlawfully tried to expedite the expansion of 770 without permission and caused damage” -These serious effects which by far worsened the situation were caused by what seems to be the completely incompetent and… Read more »
We cannot even begin rationalize what was done, not even in the slightest!
Was that intention when they through eggs at the Moshiach Shiur last year?
These are terrorists that want nothing good.
Get real. Get them out
Moshiach now!!!
Gershy you are part of the problem. Your whole article should have been the first two paragraphs. All you needed to do is condemn, condemn, condemn. The problem is that really you support them because you share their ideology to an extent. So you need to look good for yourself as if you are condemning and then you go into a whole story about expanding 770. It’s like saying that the Arabs want a state, so therefore October 7 was justified. You and those who believe in what you believe in need to change your mistaken ideology. We the mainstream… Read more »
The day after the worst Chilul Hashem in the HISTORY of the frum world instead of writing an oped wondering how your friends who run Tzfas or Queens produced such a delinquent group you write about how the road to H**l is paved with good intentions.
All those that tried to character assassinate him, as if he was somehow endorsing or enabling. He wrote the strongest words “that right left and center” need to make clear that they are against and them people say that he is enabling?? Pleazs!!! Honesty needed here. It also seems that some feel that all meshichistem are in essence enablers of terror and that is a very dangerous and erronious mindset
in Hollywood . they say even bad press is good press. for sure what the bochurim did was terrible, everyone knows that, you don’t need to be a lefty or non meshichists to know that,( although you guys love using it as an excuse not believe,( but thats for another time) on a positive spin, the world is talking about 770 , and again the Rebbe,770 beis moshiach will always be a topic for people to talk about