By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba and Rabbi Yosef Braun, members of Badatz Crown Heights, issued a public call for people not to visit the Crown Heights neighborhood in the near future.
Residents of Crown Heights are known for their warm hospitality, often hosting guests during Tishrei, Kinus Hashluchim and Shluchos, Shabbatons, special Chassidic days in Kislev, Yud Shvat, Chof Beis Shvat, Yud Aleph Nissan and Gimmel Tammuz.
But the rabbis said their visit now might come at a high price – a renewed outbreak of Covid-19 which has already infected the majority of the community and led to many deaths.
The rabbis cite the recent statement by the Gedaliah Society, in conjunction with Dr. Elie Rosen, that while the community will “attempt a cautious return to socialization, we must ask those intending to visit Crown Heights to postpone their trips for the foreseeable future. This might not work out with your plans, but it is for our protection.”
“Susceptible individuals who travel outside the community are at risk of becoming ill in a setting where cases are still prevalent,” the Gedaliah Society wrote. “Thus when they return to Crown Heights they should continue to separate themselves from vulnerable others, and monitor themselves closely, immediately reporting any suspicious symptoms.”
A similar request was made before Pesach by rabbis in Florida asking New Yorkers not to visit their communities and promising to ban them from shuls, mikvahs and stores.
In the letter released on Tuesday, the Crown Heights rabbis said visitors have no right to endanger their own lives and cause harm to other’s lives by visiting – “even if it is a far-off doubt.”
They asked that people “don’t travel here for the time being, particularly in groups, without clear permission from doctors here.”
The rabbis said this includes guests coming for weddings, Gimmel Tammuz and the month of Tishrei, the latter of which draws thousands from Israel.
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FREE TRANSLATION
B”H, 10 Sivan 5780
_Related to travel (for the foreseeable future, including Gimmel Tammuz):_
_At this time we do not regard air travel as safe for anyone except the lowest risk individuals on essential business._
_Susceptible individuals who travel outside the community are at risk of becoming ill in a setting where cases are still prevalent. Thus when they return to Crown Heights they should continue to separate themselves from vulnerable others, and monitor themselves closely, immediately reporting any suspicious symptoms._
*_Particularly concerning are those travelling to Crown Heights, who may not have had the virus and who live elsewhere in places where there may still be sporadic cases occurring, and who are inadvertently carrying the illness with them. In order for all the members of our community (including the vulnerable) to attempt a cautious return to socialization, we must ask those intending to visit Crown Heights to postpone their trips for the foreseeable future. This might not work out with your plans, but it is for our protection. Thank you in advance for being considerate._*
_The Gedaliah Society, in conjunction with Dr. Rosen_
In light with the above, and based on testimony from professional doctors regarding the potential danger (may Hashem protect us) as a result of guests traveling to our community, we wish to inform all who heed our voice, especially those who don’t live in our community (and many who don’t understand English), the following Halachic ruling, as many have requested us:
1. According to Torah, it is forbidden to be the cause of placing oneself, and all the more so others, in a potential danger (R”L), even if it is a far fetched distant risk.
2. It is well known the many directives in Sichos and Igros about the great necessity to listen to doctors’ orders.
3. Certainly, one may not treat these orders with contempt, especially when this causes harm to others.
4. Based on all the above, we request all our Jewish Brethren who conduct themselves according to Torah’s directives, and to whom the lives of the thousands of our community members is precious, *to refrain from all travel to this community, especially in large groups, without explicit permission from our local doctors. This is relevant to guests who plan on visiting for weddings, Gimmel Tamuz and Tishrei etc.*
5. The Shulchan Aruch writes: “One who violates these principles and says ‘I am comfortable causing danger to myself and why should others care about this’ is culpable of lashes. One who observes these principles will receive blessings of goodness”. The Rama states: “One must be cautious about all matters that cause danger as danger is more severe than issur. It is forbidden to rely on a miracle and allow oneself to be endangered”.
It is our fervent hope that we merit the time when Hashem will eradicate all illness from our midst with the coming of Moshiach Now!
Is not a bubble, people are constantly coming in and out, it’s part of a big city, it’s not like a bungalow colony or gated community that you can protect.
I understand the request, and understand they want to lower the risk, but think it’s kind of like fixing a leaky bathtub.
The only way or him from France ( which has been hard hit with corona ) Israel and other countries will not come is if the airlines ban travel . It’s the only way
you make no sense at all….you want to pass the buck to the airlines?? we need to set the rules and the protocol for our community not pretend to be victims of the airlines…..we need to clearly say NO GUESTS IN CROWN HEIGHTS>>>>IT IS TOO DANGEROUS….not roll over and play dead until corona hits us again and we are burying more dead….wake up people….this post was ridiculous
If indeed gd forbid there will be a second wave , then how else do you think people will listen and not come to the neighborhood? There’s always people who think they know better , feel they are exempt, feel they are going to the rebbe so they are not counted etc etc . The shuls are packed to dangerous levels . People won’t understand and have their rationale of why it’s ok to come ..
The Florida Rabbis letter was clear….this posting is not.
Be direct. Be clear. Say exactly what you want to stay.
Ask people to stay away for the protection of our community and do it now.
Why is this posting so wishy washy.
What don’t u get! It’s very clear! If u don’t live in CH, don’t come!!! Simple facts!
Sincerely,
Florida
New York is ALOT bigger than than Florida for the frum community.
How about the in person graduations and sending kids of to camp? Is it day visits or sleep over visits?
Which school is having an in person graduation at this point? Even colleges posted a virtual graduation for their students.
everyone who wants to come could easily chek if yhay have antibodis
to read this. I understand the need but it’s painful to read.
May we be taken out of golus now.
Very vague article and I have a feeling a lot of people won’t listen
The only way for this to actually have an effect is by stating clearly that Crown Heightsers cannot host the orchim in their homes or rent apartments to them.
If you are issuing directives rather than making suggestions then state them clearly…..why do we need innuendos and hints….Lead us with clarity….complete and total clarity…NO GUESTS IN CROWN HEIGHTS>>>DO NOT HOST THEM. DO NOT RENT TO THEM. DO NOT FEED THEM. Let’s unite as a community and say NO
Isn’t a bit early to talk about Tishrei?
People sometimes book their flights months in advance for international travel.
right, so the sensible approach is to say we don’t know what things will look like then and those people making travel planes should deal with the doubt and risk factor when making their decisions.
to say tishrei isn’t happening in mid sivan seems way too pessimistic.
No one books a flight 6 months in advance, and I’m sure they’ll be smart and not book now that theirs a pandemic going on.. I’m sure Simchas Beis will be cancelled anyways.
since when is tishrei 6 months away? what planet do you live on?
3 months and the guests will be here. that is not a long time at all. we need to have a plan that is a community wide plan and stick with it…. there are plenty here who have not had corona and are therefore at great risk….we dont need to import risk..
Does this include visitors to the Ohel?
Does this include those who have anibodies?
wondering the same
Do the honored Rabbonim believe people will listen? They will say that they are not mechayev to listen to CH Rabbonim, only to their own in Israel, France & wherever. The only way to stop them is for airlines to suspend flying for Tishrei (which they won’t do) or for the US to refuse foreigners admittance, like they do in Israel. IF someone from Israel has dual nationality (as I do), he/she needs to prove that he/she will self-quarantine for 14 days & be monitored by US immigration or Dept. of Health. Neither of those options will happen either. So… Read more »
a second wave will kill even more people in our hood….it is not fair and totally against halacha to put lives at risk. DO NOT HOST DO NOT FEED PEOPLE….we must unite to do the right things
What’s the difference if you are coming from California, Arkansas or any state that is just now getting their first wave, or if you are coming from France or Israel. What about the man who goes every day to Manhattan, NJ or Connecticut to work and comes back. CH does not live in a bubble. You are letting the virus CV in every day. It’s not the people overseas that will bring it.
What about children visiting their parents who live in CH? Or parents visiting their children who live in CH?
Very simple people believe it or not pay to live in CH, CH got hit worse then China and they are asking to protect our health and after what we went through please don’t come! We are not looking to get sick again, we are extremely nice about hosting and this time we don’t want to share germs with you. Yes! Tishrai too, I heard some big event closed for December already….
you said it and every sane person will agree…not crazy liberalists
Here in. Israel people still very carful going to places with masks. The schools started
Some of them were closed . Do people in New York are very careful too?
Did the schools are opening ?
Did the shuls are opening like regular ?
It’s show very clear that stil people have to be very care full . People have to keep distance from others
How can it be when a lot of people will come
You have to be care full
We need moshiach
That it . Need the gehula right now
Moshiach now !!!
Do u think simple Israeli read it? They booked all year ahead. Send to all Chabad shuls all over the globe that we are closed!
What does this mean for those of us who live in other neighborhoods, such as Boro Park and Flatbush and walk in for Tishrei? Is that allowed? We’ve been hit at pretty much the same rates.