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Friday, 20 Sivan, 5783
  |  June 9, 2023

Why You Shouldn’t Use the Eruv in Crown Heights

Op-Ed by Binyamin Silver: Most of us in Crown Heights are very unfamiliar with most of the concepts and letters of the Rebbe, but we know that there's this so-called "controversy" regarding an Eruv in Crown Heights. Full Story

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no sure why the Rabonim
March 14, 2023 12:08 pm

Not sure why the Rabonim should even discuss an Eiruv
All they need to say is
“The Rebbe said NO to an eriuv in CH”
This should settle the issue as far as CH in concerned
Period

The rebbe was very pro Eruv
Reply to  no sure why the Rabonim
March 14, 2023 12:45 pm

Stop using the rebbe.
The rebbe had a rule if someone says something in the name of Halacha you should know it’s not true
The rebbe was never againts the concept of Eruv or making a Eruv in ch

Thanks Eli
Reply to  The rebbe was very pro Eruv
March 14, 2023 2:47 pm

Please entertain the possibility that the Rebbe had a different view regarding these Halachos than you.

Disappointed not surprised
Reply to  The rebbe was very pro Eruv
March 14, 2023 8:15 pm

TheRebbe said clearly where it is Halachically possible they should build one in secret this is clear in the letter he wrote to The Manhattan Rabbonim. The Rebbe was also very clear about his position here in Crown Heights that he did not want one. Furthermore is it not enough that Rav Dvorkin Zatza”l clearly paskened that one cannot be built in the community and furthermore what you and everybody else ignore what’s in writing and has been posted is Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatza”L’s ruling forbidding one anywhere in New York City is that a not enough for you or… Read more »

Missed the point
Reply to  no sure why the Rabonim
March 14, 2023 2:48 pm

You clearly missed the point of the article. If you use the ‘Rebbe’ argument, there are multiple opinions on what the Rebbe meant and no one person can claim to know 100% what the Rebbe’s opinion is. The writer of the article is simply saying that just like you run to the local Rov for questions on Kashrus, Maaros and the like, you should heed the local Rov’s opinion on the Eruv. True that people in our community do reach out to other Rabbonim in their personal matters which is a personal decision. Regarding communal matters, it is a Chilul… Read more »

Seriously????
Reply to  Missed the point
March 14, 2023 7:29 pm

If the Rebbe wanted an Eruv in Crown Heights there would’ve been one…

The eruv
March 14, 2023 12:11 pm

Usually, the rule is , that if you don’t know, you don’t say, although it has become quite the opposite fot COLLIVE op-ed’s , perhaps the next one should be about the dangers of modern technology on Muslim youth. The connection? None.

Please speak for yourself
March 14, 2023 12:15 pm

Every person has their mashpia and their rov. Not everyone in or near ch is Chabad.
Many people come to spend shabbos in ch that are not Chabad.
If they are your rabbonim then yes you need to listen to them and not use the Eruv but you can’t speak for everyone else.
Just as kosher food in ch. not every restaurant is Under the CH bes din. Every person makes their own choices.

What’s “Chabad” got to do with it?
Reply to  Please speak for yourself
March 14, 2023 4:09 pm

The point is not whether one is Chabad or not, but that the community rabbanim have given a ruling, and it’s binding on whoever lives or visits said community. The same thing would apply if our rabbanim were Litvaks or Chagas Chassidim or what have you.

No it's not
Reply to  What’s “Chabad” got to do with it?
March 14, 2023 7:24 pm

I’m sorry, but it doesn’t say this anywhere in halachah.

Prove me wrong

Disappointed not surprised
Reply to  Please speak for yourself
March 14, 2023 8:37 pm

That has nothing to do with it when in Rome you do as the Romans when you come to this community spend the shop is here you abide by Halacha including the rulings of the local Rabbonim do you think that there Psak is only be5of The zRebbe’s view,? The Rebbe never considered himself an official Rav here or anywhere he always told people To ask A Rav. For many years since the Friediker Rebbe arrived in America there was a Rov in this community who gave over a Psak Not only was it his personal Psak but it was… Read more »

Wow
March 14, 2023 12:19 pm

So on point !
Thank you so much

The real problem,
March 14, 2023 12:21 pm

The Rebbe’s desire for there to not be an eiruv in CH is causing people to say that it’s simply not kosher. However, in all likelihood, it’s just as kosher as every other eiruv in large communities. As Lubavitchers, we rarely hold of any eiruv but for others and those who choose, allow a kosher eiruv to be used.

Disappointed not surprised
Reply to  The real problem,
March 14, 2023 8:41 pm

Where is your proof I wrote in a few replies and gave sources and it’s in writing that the Eiruv is Pasuk no matter what you may think one cannot is not allowed to and if one is made it’s useless make an Eiruv in a Reshus Harabim? Are You smarter more knowledgeable no every single intricate detail Etc more than Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatza l? And his initial ruling was made over 60 years ago if anything it would apply now more than it did then!

Beautifully written
March 14, 2023 12:24 pm

He has a powerful point. Everyone in CH should listen to the Bais Din. As simple as that

not so simple
Reply to  Beautifully written
March 15, 2023 9:27 am

no it’s not as simple as that, we are not sheep

As a matter of fact
Reply to  not so simple
March 15, 2023 1:26 pm

…we are. אנו צאנך ואתה רוענו, and we follow our Shepherd, Hashem, loyally as sheep do.

What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 12:28 pm

You write:

“Crown Heights has a Beis Din. A Beis Din consists of Rabbonim. As a community, there is a mitzvah to listen to the instructions and guidance of our community leaders, and not to break off into sub-communities.”

What is the source for this idea in Halachah? Which siman and se’if in Shulchan Aruch exactly?

What is the source in halachah?
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 12:55 pm

There is no makor for this idea. People have been throwing this idea around for years, but no they have never actually opened up a Choshen Mishpat to look it up. Yes, there are halachic concepts of shivah tuvei ha’ir, beis din kavua, which are entities that need to be followed. However, there is not one posek in the entire world who will argue that the CH beis din has the halachic classification of a beis din kavua, or shivah tuvei ha’ir. If you want to follow the rabbonim of the beis din in CH, you definitely can. But there… Read more »

I'm sorry, but we should listen to who?
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 1:36 pm

Besides for all this, need to be mentioned that the Shulchan Aruch rules clearly “שנים שדנו אין ביניהם דין”

Meaning, a beis din of 2 is not a beis din.

Disappointed not surprised
Reply to  I'm sorry, but we should listen to who?
March 14, 2023 9:09 pm

Number one you arer wrong on that there is a Heter. Number two the same ruling was given by the original makeup of the Bais Din. You know the one that was elected by everybody in this community in the year 5748? Consisting of Harav Marlow Zatza”l Rav Heller Sheyichye as well as Rav Osdoba! Their Psak was a affirmation of the Psak of Harav Zalman Shimon Dvorkin! Remember at least hearing about him? Well how about the fact that he was one of at least 30 Rabbonim and Gedolei Yisroel here in New York City that Paskened if memory… Read more »

Lol
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 1:38 pm

We have a rebbe who told us to listen to the ch rabbonim. Do I need to list to you the countless times the rebbe spoke about this?

What is the source in halachah?
Reply to  Lol
March 14, 2023 1:44 pm

True, the Rebbe said to listen to the rabbonim. And to most of us, we do what the Rebbe says

But that still does not create a halachic obligation to do so. If you want to, you can. But you have no HALACHIC OBLIGATION to do so.

The author wrote, “As a community, there is a mitzvah to listen to the instructions and guidance of our community leaders, and not to break off into sub-communities”

That statement is not halachically true.

Lol
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 3:06 pm

You first tried to argue that what the rebbe says about eiruv is actually not. Now that we bring the fact that the rebbe says to listen to the rabbinim you say we don’t need to listen to the rebbe to begin with.
Soifoi moichiach al tchilosoi, and as you have just so eloquently said, we don’t have to listen to the rebbe. Now please don’t tell us how to read the rebbes letter about eiruvin.
Stop pushing your shitos into the rebbes words. You clearly don’t care about what the rebbe says anyways.

Lol
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 3:07 pm

You first tried to argue that what the rebbe says about eiruv is actually not what it said. Now that we bring the fact that the rebbe says to listen to the rabbinim you say we don’t need to listen to the rebbe to begin with.
Soifoi moichiach al tchilosoi, and as you have just so eloquently said, we don’t have to listen to the rebbe. Now please don’t tell us how to read the rebbes letter about eiruvin.
Stop pushing your shitos into the rebbes words. You clearly don’t care about what the rebbe says anyways.

sub-communities
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 16, 2023 6:19 am

There IS a לאו not to break off into splintering factions, or sub-communities.
ולא יהי’ כקורח וכעדתו

I'm sorry, but we should listen to who?
Reply to  Lol
March 14, 2023 1:48 pm

You missed the point.

The author of the article is not saying that we should listen to the Rebbe. The author is arguing that there is a requirement al pi halachah to do what the CH beis din says.

Unfortunately, inconvenient as that might be to some people, it is simply not true

You are not required al pi halachah to listen to the beis din that is nearest to your house. You may choose to, but you do not have to.

Dovid
Reply to  I'm sorry, but we should listen to who?
March 14, 2023 8:39 pm

Who is the Author? Sounds like a fake name? Never heard of him

What is the source in halachah?
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 2:04 pm

The writer says he is not a talmid chacham.

That much is definitely clear

Speak to your local rabbi
Reply to  What is the source in halachah?
March 14, 2023 3:54 pm

Wow. The Rebbe spoke about this exact issue

It's a mitzvah to use the Eruv
March 14, 2023 12:36 pm

Eruv is a foundational part of Halacha, the tzidokim fought it.

The Brooklyn Eruv has the haskoma of the greatest poskim like Harav tzinner shlita.

The Brooklyn Eruv is made according to the Alter Rebbe and Rambam.

To fight the Eruv is only to make woman and children suffer.

Thanks for the laugh.
Reply to  It's a mitzvah to use the Eruv
March 14, 2023 12:44 pm

Wow. Maybe you should move to Miami Beach where the eruv is an AR eruv all around. Then you’ll only suffer in the summer from the heat, and not every shabbos.

Brooklyn, not CH
Reply to  It's a mitzvah to use the Eruv
March 14, 2023 2:52 pm

The article does not mention the Brooklyn Eruv. It is specifically regarding the Crown Heights Eruv

Mitzva
Reply to  Brooklyn, not CH
March 14, 2023 3:18 pm

Let me know when you successfully extract crown heights out of Brooklyn.

Clarification
Reply to  Mitzva
March 14, 2023 4:59 pm

The article was talking about listening to Crown Heights Rabbonim about the CH Eruv. It is not an opinion on the Brooklyn Eruv or the broader Brooklyn Jewish community using the Eruv per their Rabbonim

Lol
Reply to  Clarification
March 15, 2023 1:12 am

For the same notion, the ch rabbonim may not tell us that a certain food hechsher isn’t kosher. Obviously not the case.

There is no "Crown Heights Eruv"
Reply to  Brooklyn, not CH
March 14, 2023 5:16 pm

The Prospect Heights Eruv, which was expanded to include Crown Heights, is no longer maintained since it is now subsumed by the Brooklyn Eruv.

And just as the Crown Heights rabbonim had no authority and no right to an opinion over the previous eruv just because it happened to include CH, so also do they have no authority and no right to an opinion over this eruv.

The bottom line is that the eruv exists, and it is kosher, and no rov has the right to say otherwise.

Crown Heights
March 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Well put right on the nail.

Absolutely correct
March 14, 2023 12:41 pm

The rebbe said no eruv in crown hts. The bet din is following the rebbe. Nothing to discuss

So called Rabbonim
Reply to  Absolutely correct
March 14, 2023 1:11 pm

Where?
Don’t repeat heresy!
Where did the Rebbe say no Eruv in CH?

Lol
Reply to  So called Rabbonim
March 14, 2023 2:27 pm

You call it heresy but the only hectic here is you. You laugh at the rabbonim, as seen in your title “so called rabbonim”

So called Rabbonim
Reply to  Lol
March 14, 2023 2:56 pm

Was quoting the article.
Nothing new that people comment without reading the article in full or understanding a subject prior to dishing out your own בויך סברה

What?!
Reply to  So called Rabbonim
March 14, 2023 4:12 pm

He used “so-called” about the controversy. Not about the rabbanim! Go beg mechilah from them.

Disappointed not surprised
Reply to  So called Rabbonim
March 14, 2023 9:16 pm

There is a whole book of filled with letters whether they ever said no Eiruv you also forget that they once upon a Time was a Rov who preceded the Bais Din by the name of Harav Zalman Shimon Dvorkin Zatza l who Paskened way back at least as far back as 1972 ( 5732) That ther cannot be an Eiruv here in Crown Heights and furthermore is one of the signatories to the Psak of Harav Moshe Feinstein Zatza L’s Psak that applies to the whole of New York City!. I still have the copy of that Psak with… Read more »

Mendy
March 14, 2023 12:42 pm

I see the people who push their strollers and carry things. Don’t care.
And the ones who care are not using it.
So rav or no rav they’d use it anyways.

Mendel
Reply to  Mendy
March 14, 2023 12:51 pm

The people that don’t use the Eruv have a חשש אינו מודה בעירוב (מנחת אלעזר)

Baloney
Reply to  Mendel
March 14, 2023 4:14 pm

They’re not using the eruv because the Rebbe said there shouldn’t be one in CH, because the rabbanim have confirmed that, and because there are serious halachic concerns about having one here. In no way are they denying the concept of an eruv, and it is an utter chutzpah of you to claim so.

Not nice
Reply to  Mendy
March 14, 2023 12:57 pm

So you have asked people if they care or not? So much judgement of people who don’t use the eruv?

Ch Resident
March 14, 2023 12:43 pm

” I am not a Talmid Chochom like those currently debating the law.” the author answered his own question, he has no business commenting on this issue. when one is forced to follow local Rabbonim is a complex halachic issue in itself, not to be decided by someone’s emotions.. and i can assure you that the 11 extremely respected Rabbonim who signed to endorse the Brooklyn Eruv are well aware of this. Additionally this a Brooklyn Eruv, the Crown Heights Rabbonim have no jurisdiction over it. Additionally it is important to note that the Crown Heights Rabbonim have yet to issue… Read more »

Lol
Reply to  Ch Resident
March 14, 2023 1:51 pm

You don’t need to to be a talmid chacham to know that we follow the rabbonim

yup
Reply to  Ch Resident
March 14, 2023 6:07 pm

Your totaly wrong
When was the last time you opened the alter Rebbe’s shulchan aruch???
Its prety clear what it says there

Lechora
March 14, 2023 12:47 pm

Mimah Nafshach,

If the Authors intention is to section off CH from the rest of Brooklyn (where many Poskim permit an Eiruv) to the sole authority of CH Rabonim,

Then an Eiruv is certainly permissible on an island no greater then the size of CH.

Incomplete Beis Din
March 14, 2023 12:49 pm

Listen to our Beis Din of 2? Where in the world is there a a reputable and trusted BD of 2 Rabbanim? Without a third Rav to complete the BD, your point is diminished.

Rov
Reply to  Incomplete Beis Din
March 14, 2023 4:06 pm

You never heard of a rov? The community must follow their rov even if it’s only one person

Says who?
Reply to  Rov
March 14, 2023 5:41 pm

What makes the Rabbonim on the CH beis din the de facto Rabbonim of every person who lives nearby?

There is no such precedent in halachah

Can you please define what you write here?
March 14, 2023 12:53 pm

“If we used that perspective in every facet of our yiddishkeit, how frum would we be?”

Can you please define what “Frum” means?

Thank you.”

Disappointed not surprised
Reply to  Can you please define what you write here?
March 14, 2023 9:36 pm

The Rebbe knew exactly what he was doing when he decided that there should be an election for a full Bais Din of 3 Rabbanum. There even was a second round I would like since to see a Third Rav since the original Third Rav elected Rav was an existing Rav living in another community. When he was elected he wrote into the Rebbe and ask based on the election results whether he should move here The Rebbe said no he should stay where he is they then asked The Rebbe and Brought the Halacha about2 Rabbanum. The Rebbe said… Read more »

BCH
March 14, 2023 12:54 pm

The eiruv is a “Greater Brooklyn Eiruv”, which also encompasses Crown Heights, among many other neighborhoods. It is under expert and respected rabbinic supervision and is not relying on any “kullos”, ch”v. It is also 100% in accord with the Alter Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek shitos. Contrary to your assertion, private individuals absolutely are entitled to follow a legitimate rabbinic authority of their choice in their own private observance of the Shulchan Aruch. Also, even IF one doesn’t wish to use an eiruv, it is wrong to discourage others who have a real need for it (like young mothers… Read more »

Lol
Reply to  BCH
March 14, 2023 1:50 pm

We survived 80 years in ch this way, we can continue surviving this way

BCH
Reply to  Lol
March 14, 2023 2:10 pm

no one is forcing anyone to use the eiruv.

Survival
Reply to  Lol
March 14, 2023 2:59 pm

We survived 80 years in CH without sushi restaurants.
We survived 80 years in CH without artisan foods.
We survived 80 years in CH without lots of things…what are you willing to give up today that we didn’t have for 80 years??

100
Reply to  Survival
March 14, 2023 3:44 pm

%100 to go back to the ways were people cared a little bit about rebbe and abishter

Not nice
March 14, 2023 12:54 pm

Judging another Jew? The author writes the following above: People who use the Eruv don’t do so because it is halachically permissible. They use it as an expression of prikas ol in their yiddishkeit. It’s a matter of convenience for them, and as long as they can rely on random poskim who say the Eruv is fine, that’s good enough for them. We have no idea the reason behind WHY people use the eruv. There are many and it varies amongst different people. Writing so negatively about other people using an eruv is an issue unto itself. I think you… Read more »

Judging
Reply to  Not nice
March 14, 2023 9:28 pm

Why are you judging the author for judging I think you should exclude yourself from speaking/writing/commenting on the eruv as it causes your yetzer Hara to speak in such negative ways about your own community

Ch Resident
March 14, 2023 12:57 pm

Their whole opposition is that there is a rumor that the Rebbe was against an eruv in Crown Heights. they have no halachic objections, or they would’ve written a tshuva. Therefore their status as Rabbonim or local Rabbonim are irrelevant. for an example imagine that Rabbi Osdoba would write a letter that it is ossur to say yechi, would any meshichist be forced to follow him?! or if the Rabbonim wrote a psak that you have to learn three prokim Rambam every day, would that have any Halachic validity? It goes without saying that the Rebbe wasn’t against an eruv… Read more »

Wrong- there was a letter
Reply to  Ch Resident
March 14, 2023 6:06 pm

There was a letter from all 3 rabbonim, including rabbi schwei who spoke out against the eruv.

Also rabbi laibel groner wrote the rebbe was against an eruv in crown hts

All this was published in collive a few years ago

Ch Resident
Reply to  Wrong- there was a letter
March 14, 2023 7:30 pm

Of course i saw that letter, but in there all they stated is that they don’t allow an eruv etc, that they claim the Rebbe didn’t want one, that they claim Rav Zalman Shimon Dworkin signed the Kol Kore of Aaron Kutler that you can’t make eruv in any city of 600k; they brought no halachic reasoning. and the reason is simple they believe that the eruv is kosher. but they are trying to make it appear to the uninformed that they have an halachic issue, as if they said we think eruv is kosher, but we think that the… Read more »

Pinchos Woolstone
Reply to  Wrong- there was a letter
March 14, 2023 9:39 pm

It is important that the Rebbe’s written position regarding the establishment or otherwise of an Eiruv in Crown Heights be published.
Decisions pertinent to such an important matter cannot be based on secondhand reports.

good luck
Reply to  Pinchos Woolstone
March 15, 2023 1:20 pm

AFAIK there is nothing in writing from the Rebbe against an Eruv in CH.

If we want to go by those rumors, we would also need to know WHY there was an issue back then. I don’t think the rumors include the reason why the Rebbe said no

Lol
Reply to  good luck
March 16, 2023 1:16 am

As mentioned, the rebbe said to listen to the rabbonim. That enough is sufficient.

There are many.
March 14, 2023 1:06 pm

So many things are wrong in this community. Why focus on the one that actually has a positive effect?

What about tuition?
What about our childrens chinnuch?
What about tsnius?

Tuition??
Reply to  There are many.
March 15, 2023 1:21 pm

Tuition is lower in CH than 95% of Jewish communities

So called Rabbonim
March 14, 2023 1:09 pm

How dare you?
So called?
Rav Zinner is a ‘so called’ Rov?
Rabbi Oberlander is a ‘so called’ Rov?

Look for another battle.
This one isn’t yours

Reading comprehension
Reply to  So called Rabbonim
March 14, 2023 4:16 pm

He used “so-called” about the controversy. Not about any rabbanim, ch”v!

Another angle
March 14, 2023 1:11 pm

This article is well intentioned, but seems to be based on the frustration of people not following the CH Bais Din. Valid point. To broaden the topic, many people from different levels and ideologies have moved to CH over the last few years. Many of whom are not as committed the same way the writer is to this cause. Perhaps, in the present environment of CH, the idea of forcing ideas on people, and having a few people cheer them on, is having very little or a negative effect for change. Holding on to the past without recognizing the present… Read more »

SBG
March 14, 2023 1:28 pm

An Eiruv is a good thing to debate. It’s like politics everybody looks busy but in reality nothing is happening. Why not deal with what is happening with our kids? You think they have an interest in the Eiruv debate? Do you know that many of the kids even those in hats and jackets are breaking Shabbos Lo Oleinu.. And. your problem is the Eiruv? It’s a Bizayon to the community what is happening with our kids WAKE UP!!! And lastly, The rebbe never answered or opined regarding matters of Halacha to the community, rather he instructed people to go… Read more »

Absolutely not true
Reply to  SBG
March 14, 2023 6:12 pm

I was there in fabrengen when the rebbe gave his halachic opinion on many things regarding the community.

I remember him talking about halacha regarding crown hts community elections for example – i believe it was for bet din or community counsel

Ignorance is bliss - and dangerous
March 14, 2023 1:30 pm

“People who use the Eruv don’t do so because it is halachically permissible. They use it as an expression of prikas ol in their yiddishkeit. It’s a matter of convenience for them”

— Well that shows just how ignorant the writer here is…

Lol
Reply to  Ignorance is bliss - and dangerous
March 14, 2023 1:45 pm

You call him ignorant, but the only ignorant man here is you. Fact is the chasidish people in ch dont rely on the eiruv. Only chabad lite. That proves his point.

Source
March 14, 2023 1:31 pm

Please share sources from the Rebbe against using an eiruv in CH,

Lol
Reply to  Source
March 14, 2023 1:46 pm

He supported the rabbonim, and they historically have opposed. What better proof do you need?

nope. that's not it
Reply to  Lol
March 15, 2023 1:25 pm

The rabonim are saying no bc the rebbe said no.
So if you say the rebbe saying no is by him saying to listen to the rabonim who said no, that circular reasoning doesn’t work 😂

Lol
Reply to  nope. that's not it
March 16, 2023 1:17 am

That’s for them to determine if and what the rebbe said. Not yours.

Free to Listen
March 14, 2023 1:49 pm

You can listen to your rabonim and everybody else can listen to theirs. The mishna says ‘asei lecha rav’, everybody has the right to choose their own rabonim.

Rov, one not plural
Reply to  Free to Listen
March 14, 2023 3:17 pm

Right, so then those who follow this Rov on the Eiruv should also follow same Rov in every other area…
You can’t pick and choose which Rov you follow just to conform with your wants. That’s the point of the article.

What are you even talking about?
Reply to  Rov, one not plural
March 14, 2023 5:44 pm

Where in halachah does it say that you have to listen to the same Rov for every question?

Hint: no where.

( Yes, there is an idea of not posing the same question to two different rabbi’s, but, 1) even that could be done, just it has to be done correctly, and 2) it’s not the issue here)

Not how it works
Reply to  Free to Listen
March 14, 2023 4:18 pm

“Asei lecha rav” means to choose whom you’ll learn Torah from, not which posek.

Terrible
March 14, 2023 2:01 pm

I get yelled at for carrying in CH on Shabbos. I’m a frum Lubavitcher just trying to enjoy my Shabbos and other Jews come up and yell at me on the regular. This place is truly lacking in derech eretz and kavod for other human beings

“Just trying to enjoy your Shabbos”?
Reply to  Terrible
March 14, 2023 4:21 pm

Well, then, for you it means using the eruv. For the next guy, “enjoying his Shabbos” means watching TV. For the next, turning on lights. How’s about you “enjoy your Shabbos” within the parameters of halachah?

Oh my
Reply to  “Just trying to enjoy your Shabbos”?
March 14, 2023 5:03 pm

So many points being made here: Firstly, you comparing someone using the eiruv on shabbos to someone turning on lights on shabbos just goes to show how poor your grasp of halacha is. Secondly, you putting down anyone’s interpretation of “enjoying shabbos” goes to show how judgmental you are. Let people live their lives! Who made you G-d? Who made you or anyone else the expert on all 613 mitzvos? No one keeps halacha perfectly, not one Rabbi and not even one individual in all of Tanach. Focus on your own life before you open your mouth and criticize someone… Read more »

It is
Reply to  Oh my
March 14, 2023 6:48 pm

If u carry on shabbis in an eiruv which lets say i hold is not kosher according to my understanding and knowledge etc then accordingly its like turning on the light. Because carrying and opening light are both forbidden from torah

Wrong for two reasons
Reply to  It is
March 15, 2023 12:14 am

There is no opinion that passels this eruv. You are not entitled to “hold” it’s not kosher, because there is no opinion for you to rely on. You can’t just make one up yourself. Even if there were such an opinion, and you actually held like that opinion, you would still have no right to rebuke someone else who follows a more mainstream opinion. Even if your opinion were the mainstream and his opinion were on the fringe, you still would have no right to rebuke him, because so long as it’s a valid opinion in halacha he’s entitled to… Read more »

“Who made you G-d”?!
Reply to  Oh my
March 14, 2023 11:12 pm

Are you aware that G-d wrote in His Torah הוכח תוכיח את עמיתך? So you don’t have to be G-d, or expert in all 613 mitzvos, etc., and for you to say “focus on your own life” is to deny a mitzvah in the Torah.

There is no הוכח תוכיח
Reply to  “Who made you G-d”?!
March 15, 2023 12:15 am

There is no הוכח תוכיח when someone is following a valid halachic opinion, EVEN IF it is outside the mainstream, which is certainly not the case here.

Not when it violates the minhag hamakom
Reply to  There is no הוכח תוכיח
March 15, 2023 8:35 am

…which has the status of a neder.

And read again the comment to which I responded. He/she/it spoke of “putting down anyone’s interpretation of ‘enjoying Shabbos,’” which, yes, implies that even if the person is blatantly violating Shabbos it’s okay because that’s how they “enjoy” it and because who is anyone to criticize. Which is flat-out against Torah.

What is outside the parameters of halachah?
Reply to  “Just trying to enjoy your Shabbos”?
March 14, 2023 5:47 pm

Why is using a kosher eruv outside the parameters of halachah?

Lol
Reply to  What is outside the parameters of halachah?
March 14, 2023 6:29 pm

If the rabbanim so no then it’s outside the parameters of halacha. They interpret the halacha. That’s their job.

Salt in a wound
Reply to  Terrible
March 14, 2023 11:34 pm

You expressed discomfort and so far 17 people give you a thumbs down. There is something wrong here. There is something rough and quite judgmental which needs to be addressed. How about an evening of awareness titled ‘how to not use Yiddishkeit to perpetuate lack of unity.’

Hi hi
March 14, 2023 2:54 pm

Why couldn’t they make an eiruv in the tiny village of lubavitch?? Torah doesn’t change.

Carrying is a lav duraisa so don’t say let’s speak about other issues.

For sure Rebbe was against official eiruv in crown heights. Those abit older remmber this from growing up in lubavitch.

Why then..
Reply to  Hi hi
March 14, 2023 3:43 pm

Did the Alter Rebbe write about how to build an eiruv in his shulchan aruch? That’s Torah

My 2 cents
Reply to  Why then..
March 14, 2023 5:27 pm

If the rabonim who were much more knowledgeable then couldnt find a heter al pi Torah fir an eiruv in tht village where no streets. Just alleyway. Paths etc…of course thts Torah. What else is it? Lack of contractors? Couldn’t find a handyman?

Eli Uminer
Reply to  Hi hi
March 14, 2023 8:37 pm

This is a prime example making a conclusion based on a lack of knowledge of the intricacies of hilchos eruvin. Allow me to break this down for you, the Tzemach Tzedek brings Lubavitch as an example of a place that had a rh”r doraysa, if you don’t rely on Shitas Rashi which requires having six hundred thousand people passing thru the rh”r every day. Now once you don’t rely on Shitas Rashi, then there is no difference if you have twenty people passing thru, or six hundred thousand people passing thru. Now we have other remaining conditions that makes a… Read more »

Let it be a reshus horabim
Reply to  Eli Uminer
March 15, 2023 12:00 am

What you write about rh”r being less common in big cities than in small towns may be true, but it’s irrelevant in our case. Let’s start with the assumption that Brooklyn, before the mechitzos were built around it, was a reshus horabim gemura. Let’s assume like Reb Moshe that mefulash doesn’t mean mechuvan, and that there is a moment every day when there are 600,000 people on the streets of Brooklyn, and that that makes the whole Brooklyn a rh”r. IT DOESN’T MATTER. Because now a proper eruv has been built around this former rh”r, and has turned it into… Read more »

Lubavitch had an eruv!
Reply to  Hi hi
March 14, 2023 8:47 pm

Who told you they couldn’t make one?

Halacha VS opnion
March 14, 2023 4:52 pm

Don’t frum yidden live their lives based on halacha and not people’s opinions?
The author of this article did not bring even one source for anything he is saying.

Are white shirts also halacha?
Are black shoes also halacha?

Soon sourdough on shabbos will be the only acceptable bread for lechem mishna.

Enough with this crazy prerogative of following strangers opinions just because they are louder than the others!

Ideas
March 14, 2023 4:56 pm

It’s a tough issue. I recall when the Eiruv in Boro park began. It was a fight. It started block by block. The gedolim of yesteryear Rabbi moshe Feinstein,satmar rebbe and Lubavitcher rebbe all opposed the eiruv. In williamsburg the satmar rebbe allowed an eiruv the week of Sukkas so people carried their food from projects down to their Sukkas. Some rabbis opposed the eiruv as haskofah. People start to pick up items like newspapers from stores etc. There are many things that need chizuk today especially among the youth with tzniyos. Among the yeshivash crowd in Brooklyn they don’t… Read more »

Missed an important point
March 14, 2023 5:10 pm

This is not about if you need to listen to the CH Beis Din in general, it is specifically an issue of *publicly* acting against the Beis Din. In your own house you are allowed to choose which rav to use. When walking down the street in any neighborhood, you need to respect the local Beis Din. Therefore, while there may be room to rely on other rabbonim to carry something in your pocket, pushing a stroller or any other form of carrying which everyone on the street can see is completely against halacha due to the prikas ol involved.… Read more »

Rabonim have no authority to uproot the Torah
Reply to  Missed an important point
March 14, 2023 8:53 pm

A rov’s only authority is to determine what is the objective halacha. Where the halacha is clear, as it is in this case, he has NO AUTHORITY to order people to behave as if the halacha were otherwise.

In this case there is a kosher eruv. According to ALL opinions. The rabbonim can’t change that. And they can’t create a “community standard” of not carrying where the halacha permits it, just as they can’t create a “community standard” of not carrying inside a properly enclosed front yard, or of not eating carrots.

Not true
Reply to  Rabonim have no authority to uproot the Torah
March 14, 2023 9:15 pm

Not true or else there would be no articles. Posts.disagreements. obviously many know it is not kosher.

Not not true
Reply to  Not true
March 15, 2023 1:36 pm

This article itself says that as far he’s concerned it may be kosher and yet he is still writing this article.

The posts and discussions don’t mean that there’s a HALACHIC issue with the eruv

Lol
Reply to  Not not true
March 16, 2023 1:19 am

Incorrect. The rabbonim decide what the halacha is. That’s their job. Not yours.

Anti-Torah
March 14, 2023 5:27 pm

EVEN IF we could all agree that the Rebbe would not have wanted this eruv to be publicized, the fact is that it IS public, because the rabbonim who made it are not the Rebbe’s chassidim, and have no obligation whatsoever to obey the Rebbe’s wishes. So now that it IS public, and that is a fact, what could possibly be wrong with using it? WHERE IN THE WORLD did anyone get the idea that the Rebbe would be against using a kosher eruv, regardless of who built it or why? The fact is that Brooklyn is now a reshus… Read more »

My 2 cents
Reply to  Anti-Torah
March 14, 2023 6:38 pm

That’s not a fact at all. opposing an eiruv means it’s not kosher according to them. If U feel u can carry to eastern pkay and u are still in reshus hayochid, there’s nothing to say.

Anyways it’s a waste of time and energy. For it or opposing are both determined they are right. Carrying on shabbos is serious .

It is kosher LECHOL HADE'OS
Reply to  My 2 cents
March 14, 2023 11:41 pm

There simply is no opinion in halacha that would passel this eruv. Eastern Parkway is a reshus hayochid lechol hade’os. If you think otherwise, name the shita that says it isn’t. Some people seem to have this weird delusion that you cannot make an eruv in a reshus horabim; that you can’t turn a reshus horabim into a reshus hayochid. That’s just pure amhoratzus. Of course you can. Even if you think Eastern Parkway was a reshus horabim before the eruv, you still carried in 770, didn’t you? How did 770 become a reshus hayochid? Because they built mechitzos, that’s… Read more »

Lol
Reply to  It is kosher LECHOL HADE'OS
March 15, 2023 5:45 am

Now that’s for sure pure amhoratzus…

Speaking of am haaratzus
Reply to  It is kosher LECHOL HADE'OS
March 15, 2023 8:37 am

A reshus harabbim requires mechitzos or doors *that can be closed*. Which 770 has, an an eruv of poles and wires does not.

Rav Tzedoki?
Reply to  Anti-Torah
March 14, 2023 7:27 pm

How are you not embarrassed to call the Rabbonim of CH Tzedokim. The Rebbe said many times to listen to the Rabbonim.

All these Chabad lite types can move to any Modox community and carry there and also fit in very well. A person is not a Chassid of the Rebbe if they have no kabbalos ohl and don’t listen to the Rabbonim.

So True!!!
March 14, 2023 7:05 pm

This isn’t just about a “personal matter.” Many kids play near the Jewish children’s museum with soccer balls and other sports which is tempting for Chabad kids in the community. It is affecting kids even in a small way. This isn’t about your “personal choice” this affects the entire community. Cigarettes in restaurants are banned because it affects others. It’s not a person decision once it starts harming people either physically or spiritually. If you want to use an Eruv you can go to other communities with Rabbonim who hold by the eruv and follow their hashkafah. Stop confusing people… Read more »

instead of talking about this
March 14, 2023 7:23 pm

can we make a article on what the best pizza shop is

Source
March 14, 2023 7:45 pm

See link to source from the Rebbe. Also to point out, it’s the only time the Rebbe instructed chasidim specifically for after his histalkus and did not apply at the time the Rebbe spoke. For the life of me, I can’t understand why this isn’t required learning before every gimmel tammuz.

https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/554605/jewish/3-Adar-5748-Sicha.htm

An observer
March 14, 2023 8:19 pm

We’re all missing the point. I question there whole religion. If your value system. Show me prove to me. How do you know it’s true. Then where does it stop. For my understanding is religious jew. Has a אמונה פשוטה . Now question is how do you live with it . I have to back to the beginning of what it means to really believe that there is a boss who is watching us. And it’s real and not a story I heard. If don’t have a good foundation. Then you can’t a storng building.

Live and Let Live
March 14, 2023 8:49 pm

Pray tell, why does anyone care if someone else in ch uses the eruv?
Crown heights can be a community like many other communities (e.g. west Rogers Park in Chicago, Hancock Park in LA), where some people use the eruv and others don’t. We don’t need to judge anyone else just because they don’t do what we do.

At the end of the day, people who use the eruv are following halacha just like those who don’t. Just smile and say good Shabbos.

Dear Author I Love You
March 14, 2023 9:30 pm

I truly love you without condition, I see that this matter pains you and I assure you that you are understood. I don’t know why you feel the way you do, but it seems clear that it is close to your heart and that is commendable that you spoke your truth as you go through the process you are going through. My point: I think it would best benefit the readers and perhaps yourself if you can write a letter or oped why you feel the way you do, not the first answer that pops in your head to say,… Read more »

Hot topic
March 15, 2023 12:23 am

Many responses. Mine is: Live and let live in matters of frumkeit. Don’t publicly write what you think other must do – regardless of if your source is Torah, rebbe, Rav, etc. You don’t like that others don’t act according to what you think is correct? Perhaps consider what drives you to publicly proclaim that. Unless someone asks you for your opinion about what they should do, keep your opinion on anyone else’s behavior to yourself. This is Bein Odom Lamokom, and you aren’t Mokom.

Speaking of am haaratzus
Reply to  Hot topic
March 15, 2023 8:39 am

Hashem gives us a mitzvah of הוכח תוכיח את עמיתך. Comes along a random commenter who thinks he knows better than Hashem.

Something I need clarification (klutz kashia)
March 15, 2023 12:28 am

Whats the reasoning of “the Rebbe doesn’t want an eruv”. Why not? Is it so people dont forget about shabbos (So then, when they go on vacation they do make one, to teach the kids about eruv)?? Second. What did the Rebbe say when people mentioned about mothers and they kids being practically locked up? Im seriously not being cynical. Its important to me to understand this two questions before jumping on assumptions. Its strange to think of the Rebbe “””being hard/machmir””” on people, but there must be a valid reason… and I know its not for nothing that we… Read more »

since when?
Reply to  Something I need clarification (klutz kashia)
March 15, 2023 10:37 pm

Mothers staying at home with the children is NOT at all a reason to start playing around with a deoraisa. A mother has zero chiyuv to leave the house on shabbos davka pushing a stroller.

Without the stroller they can't go out
Reply to  since when?
March 16, 2023 3:38 pm

You can’t expect 6 moth old babies to walk and shouldn’t be surprised when a 2 year old decides to stop walking

Wrong title
March 15, 2023 9:25 am

The title suggested that you were going to present an argument. But all we got is obey the rabbis. Entire article could have been one sentence.

Right title
Reply to  Wrong title
March 15, 2023 10:26 am

Why shouldn’t you kill, or steal, or break Shabbos, or eat treif? Because of logical reasons, or because Hashem said so, and that’s the beginning and end of the matter? What does נעשה ונשמע mean to you?

Spot on
Reply to  Right title
March 15, 2023 11:09 am

Thankyou

Old news
March 15, 2023 9:43 am

It is very clear that the Rebbe was against an eruv in ch, and as chassidim, what else is there to consider?

However, the reality is that many people have always been doing what they want regardless of the Rebbe. I could name countless issues that the Rebbe spoke very strongly about, and what did people do? Usually nothing. That’s life in galus, as sad as it is.

The only thing that we can do is try to be mekarev other Yidden with love (yes, even the “chabad lite” וכיו״ב), and demand Moshiach immediately!

And…
Reply to  Old news
March 15, 2023 10:28 am

…”mekarev other Yidden with love” doesn’t mean condoning whatever they do and making excuses for it. ומקרבן לתורה, not being mekarev the Torah to them.

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