y COLlive reporter
While the Chabad-Lubavitch movement is known for its outreach and loving embrace of Jews from all backgrounds, the adherence to the code of the Jewish law remains steadfast.
An example of the unflinching approach to halacha -no matter the consequences- is evident in a newly released response the Rebbe wrote in the summer of 5735 to a rabbi of a large Sephardic synagogue in North America.
It was published this week in the Hisvaadus publication from Lahak, an organization that publishes the Rebbe’s teachings, from an upcoming Igros Kodesh volume of the Rebbe’s letters.
(Download the Hisvaadus booklet at Lahak.org)
The rabbi of the congregation, whose name was not disclosed, asks the Rebbe for his “blessings and advice” on a matter that was splitting his community.
Explaining the position of the President of the congregation, the rabbi writes as follows (the numbers indicate the location where the Rebbe has written his response):
“The President’s argument presently is: A) Since he has returned, many people have called him to warn him not to raise the mechitza. Although he admits that others have called to tell him that he must raise it.
“B) If we raise the mechitza (1) the achdus of the community will be broken (and this is something which he personally has been working on for a very long time)… and we will lose a segment of the community who will go to the conservative synagogues of the neighborhood.
“C) Should I leave because the mechitza is not raised, then the community will fall apart… They will take a conservative rabbi (2) and all we have accomplished will go down the drain.. and so he argues the only alternative (3) is to leave matters as is…
“I have told him that I will not change my position and that if he does not agree to change the mechitza then as of August 1st I will no longer be in the synagogue…
“I request the blessings and advice of the Rebbe Shlita in this matter. (4) (5).”
To which, the Rebbe has hand written his answers on the letter in the numbers indicated above (free translation):
1. There will be unity with the Beis Yosef and the Rambam.
2. If he G-d forbid agrees, then he himself is such a rabbi and there won’t be a need to hire another, and “one transgression will lead to etc.” (another transgressions, as the Mishna states in Ethics of our Fathers).
3. With what validity will he be able to ask something in Torah and mitzvos if he G-d Forbid waivers now and retracts (his original position according to halacha).
4. The Sephardim were forever outstanding in all matters of modesty (and conversions) much more than Ashkenazim – and it is precisely them who are fighting against this?!
Ha ha ha ha ha…
It’s a chabad house sir, not a shtibl. Take a reality pill. Leave CH every now and then.
Afaik a mechitzah is a necessity for Davening, dancing and when touching will be unavoidable, such as in overly crowded spaces.
Outside of the above, there doesn’t seem to be a need for a mechitzah, for example, for such venues as a Shul kiddush, community meal, lecture etc, however, the pious are scrupulous.
I have been to many Chabad House, which have minimal height mechitas.
Further they mingle at the kiddush after davening.
I am sure the Rebbe would not approve
We need to remember this when dealing with Modern Orthodox religious leaders. Remember, this was about raising an existing mechitsa, not in a case where there was none to begin with.
Although something that remains to be addressed is the quality of an already existing mechitzah, which in many Chabad houses leaves what to be desired. It sort of defeats the point of a mechitzah if I can see everyone on the other side with no problem.
rav threatened to leave if no mechitza. read closely..