By COLive reporter
A joint letter signed on by 32 rabbis, mostly from Chabad communities around the world, called the public to be careful once returning to shul.
They said the Covid-19 pandemic which had shuls closed around the world was “a terrible decree that hasn’t even occurred during the time of Haman’s decree.”
They said it would, therefore, be appropriate for each and every member of the Chabad community to take upon themselves not to speak in shul during davening.
They quoted the clear words of the Alter Rebbe, Mitteler Rebbe and the Rebbe himself about the “shameful” practice of speaking idle talk during davening.
Among the signers were Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba and Rabbi Yosef Braun of Badatz Crown Heights, Rabbi Dovid Schochet of Toronto, Rabbi Dovid Rephael Banon of Montreal, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner of Melbourne, Rabbi Leibel Schapiro of Miami, Rabbi Shimon Raichik, Rabbi Ezra Schochet and Rabbi Yosef Schusterman of Los Angeles, California.
Additional signers were Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, Rabbi Gavriel Zinner of Boro Park, Rabbi Levi Kahn of Paris, Rabbi Shamai Ende of Brazil and Rabbi Yosef Feigelstock of Argentina, and many rabbis from Israel.
In the past, there have been calls to shul goers to shut their phones while in shul to avoid disruption to one’s davening and the davening of others. In the new letter, the rabbis only referenced speaking during davening.
In Kfar Chabad this week, a debate has been brewing about the timing of the reopening of shuls. Mashpia Rabbi Michoel Tayeb called to immediately resume davening in shuls, while others said the porch and outdoor minyanim were still needed to avoid future infections.
Chas vshalom i do not want to talk bad about lubavitchers. but these days and age at least a 1/4 of lubavichers go to shul to talk and while they’re there daven In bais chabads most people do not talk during davening,because they are coming for the little of yidishkeit they get But in ch people are coming to shul to talk, while they are there they are davening with a minyan and listening to krias hatorah. It will be great if people stop talking. but these days no talking means some people not going to shul, which means they… Read more »
Just wanted to add that to get people not to talk on a two hour shabbos davening would be beautiful but not something feasible, especially for teenagers
There are those that don´t talk. There are those that talk no matter what. And then there are those in the middle. That´s who this letter is for
Why can’t the people that want to talk simply step outside. This will be a benefit for the daveners AND the talkers.
Could someone please translate the quotes from the Rebbeim?
Why don’t I see my Rabbi’s signature? arent all rabbonim in this?
I have the same question why some rabbonim of large kehilos of anash aren’t seen on this letter.
Less opportunity to talk, less opportunity to say things that are detrimental to another person’s kavod.
Where are the signatures of ALL THE OTHER Lubavicther rabonim?