In a letter to the community, the Beis Din of Crown Heights has called for tomorrow, Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar, to be a day of increased Torah Tefillah and Tzedakah.
The Rabbonim have also cautioned about the use of internet devices, which has become widespread for learning, farbrengens and shiurim due to the coronavirus pandemic, and reminded about the physical and spiritual dangers which may occur as a result of unsupervised and unfiltered Internet usage.
Here is the full letter, which is a reprint from the letter for Rosh Chodesh Nissan:
FREE TRANSLATION –
B"H, 28 Nissan, 5780
REMINDER
The Rabbonim, members of the Badatz shlita, requested to remind the community about the suggestions that were specified in the letter dated 28 Adar, enclosed below, specifically to increase in Torah, Tefillah and Tzedaka. This should be done tomorrow too, Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar, a month which is
unique in its Segulah for Refuah.
Additionally, the Rabbonim asked to remind and encourage once again about the importance of exercising caution when using internet devices and applications. It has already been publicized about the physical and spiritual dangers, Heaven forbid, as a result of unsupervised and unfiltered Internet usage. Since in the most recent times electronic mediums have been put to good use for classes and for farbrengens etc., it is important to emphasize that this involves a great responsibility both on the part of the organizers - such as the educational institutions - but obviously this is an obligation incumbent upon the parents to ensure that this is a secure media where appropriate rules of modesty befitting
Jews are observed properly.
I hereby affix my signature in the name of the Badatz, Shmuel Kraus
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To All Residents of Crown Heights,
In accordance with the sicha of Shabbos Parashas Vayakhel Pekudei 5747, to increase in special activities on erev Rosh Chodeh Nissan to annul all negative matters, and following the call of Rabbonim in Eretz Hakodesh and worldwide to set aside tomorrow, Wednesday, erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan as a day of tefillah, we hereby request to increase tomorrow, in Torah, Tefillah and Tzedakah (in the merit of
our colleague, member of the Beis Din, Harav Aaron Yaakov ben Bunya 'שי ,for a speedy recovery, amongst all of our fellow brethren who require a refu’ah shlaimah):
1. Torah: Increase in learning Torah, specifically the teachings of our Rebbe, preferably ma’amorim pertaining to Purim (including the ma’amar V’ata Tetzavah 5741) or Pesach.
2. Tefillah: Recite extra Tehillim (in addition to the daily Tehillim), specifically the Tehillim as divided according to the days of the week – Tehillim for Yom Revi’i, Chapters 73-89, and the Kapitel of the Rebbe, Chapter 118.
3. Tzedakah: Increase in Tzedakah, in a sum equivalent to the cost of three meals, or at the very least the cost of one meal. If one is unable to afford the above, he may suffice even with giving a few cents for Tzedakah. It is best that the Tzedakah be given towards activities and institutions of the Rebbe as well as Tzedakah for people who can’t afford Pesach needs (Ma’os Chitim).
4. Over here in Crown Heights we are not recommending to fast tomorrow, not even a half day fast, even for those that are healthy. This is based on medical advice as well as halachic reasons. On the contrary, it is important to increase in drinking. In place of the fast, one should try as much as practically possible throughout the day (or at least part of the day) to refrain from speaking devarim b’teilim, idle chatter, i.e. discussing matters which are not Torah or Tefillah related and are not necessary such as household matters.
May Hashem end all our suffering and bring about the ultimate Geulah with Moshiach now.
Rabbi Avraham Osdoba Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun
P.S. We wish to remind everyone once again to unite daily (each in his own home) at 4:00pm to recite the Tehillim as divided according to the days of the week and to give Tzedakah. (One may do so throughout the day as well, including after Shkia if he has not done so beforehand).
