Official Chabad News Service Lies About Fire Inspection Flap, Endangerment Of Children, Violation Of City Health And Safety Laws

The Lubavitch News Service has published Chabad's official spin on NYC's closure of a Chabad daycare center for health and fire code violations:

…[N]ormal naptime at the preschool had been disturbed by an intrusive contingent of firefighters and city officials who came prodding and poking their way into classrooms in search of building and code violations. Turns out all that was missing was a Certificate of Occupancy, which is now being processed.…

[A]s five year olds sang “G-d Bless America,” practicing for their upcoming preschool graduation, four fully uniformed firefighters entered the classrooms. Without asking permission of the teachers, city building inspectors strode into the five-year-olds’ room to snap pictures of the classroom layout.

ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, New York Channel One, among other news media, swarmed the school, blocking traffic with their satellite news vans, to get the scoop on what turned out to be a slow news day. The fire chief’s trucks and several police cars parked around the school added to the drama. Reporters hounded parents as they picked up their children at the 3:00 p.m. dismissal.…

While local news broadcasts carried melodramatic reports about the shut down, smartly attired Staten Islanders dined on a smorgasbord of puff pastries, Israeli food, and carving board meats to inaugurate Chabad’s new building.

Here is the truth Chabad does not report:

1. Fire inspectors had initially inspected the site weeks ago during Passover.
2. Chabad did not have a license.
3. Chabad told the fire inspectors they didn't have the license on hand because it was Passover.
4. When the Fire Department revisited the daycare center, they quickly learned there was no Health Department license to run a day-care center at Harold Street.
5. Chabad's building had no sprinkler system and insufficient fire exits.

In other words:

1. Chabad lied to city officials.
2. Chabad endangered children.
3. Chabad is now lying to cover up its previous lies.

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky controls the day-to-day operation of Chabad worldwide and is the man who controls the Lubavitch News Service. Let NYC try him, his chief aids and Rabbi Moshe Katzman, the daycare center's director, with reckless endangerment of minors and intentional violation of fire and safety codes.

The haredi and Chabad worlds need to be taught a lesson, and the city's children need to be protected.

Mayor Bloomberg, will you act? Or will you cover for an important voting block – a voting block you are very close to?

http://www.lubavitch.com/Article.asp?Section=60&Article=638

Staten Islanders Defend and Celebrate Chabad Preschool
STATEN ISLAND, NY — Monday, May 30, 2005

After city officials forced children out of their preschool at Chabad of Staten Island, NY, on May 25, the synagogue’s long-planned inauguration of its new building scheduled for that very evening turned into a massive show of support for Chabad’s activities.

“The school has been the foundation of my kids’ love of Yiddishkeit,” said Jessica Landa, whose twin sons attend Chabad of Staten Island’s Torah Tots Academy preschool. “It amazes me that at age four my children have such an appreciation of the holidays and Shabbos.”

Landa joined more than 200 community members to salute those who made Staten Island Chabad’s new building, a home adjacent to the original Chabad House, a reality. She came despite the fact that her sons’ normal naptime at the preschool had been disturbed by an intrusive contingent of firefighters and city officials who came prodding and poking their way into classrooms in search of building and code violations. Turns out all that was missing was a Certificate of Occupancy, which is now being processed.

As Rabbi Moshe Katzman, spiritual leader of Chabad of Staten Island, addressed the crowd, he expressed optimism. “G-d will help us that the pain we have now will be rewarded with greater success,” he said.

Earlier that day, as five year olds sang “G-d Bless America,” practicing for their upcoming preschool graduation, four fully uniformed firefighters entered the classrooms. Without asking permission of the teachers, city building inspectors strode into the five-year-olds’ room to snap pictures of the classroom layout.

ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, New York Channel One, among other news media, swarmed the school, blocking traffic with their satellite news vans, to get the scoop on what turned out to be a slow news day. The fire chief’s trucks and several police cars parked around the school added to the drama. Reporters hounded parents as they picked up their children at the 3:00 p.m. dismissal. Meital Kalev, whose daughter, Darin, 5, is a student, told reporters, “This is a very good school.”

Rivka Denker, whose son Shmuel, 5, attends Torah Tots, was similarly stalwart in her defense of the school. “If they are in any violation, I am sure it will be solved soon,” said Denker to TV journalists. “My son loves it here. The teachers are very nice to him. They are so self-confident, they are beautiful. They take very good care of the children.”

While local news broadcasts carried melodramatic reports about the shut down, smartly attired Staten Islanders dined on a smorgasbord of puff pastries, Israeli food, and carving board meats to inaugurate Chabad’s new building. The building, once an Indian restaurateur’s home redolent of curry and cumin, is now an attractive mocha-colored prayer space. The renovation was brought about by the hard work of several community members, said Rabbi Moshe Katzman, Chabad’s representative on Staten Island.

Rabbi Katzman spelled out the role that each honoree played in the building’s transformation. Avi and Irit Matuszewicz and Aryeh and Chana Matuszewicz, electricity contractors, were hailed for their donation of electrical work. Moishe and Rachel Guttman of Deck Masters, Inc., were honored for their services as contractors. Ronny and Ilana Abramove and Boaz and Felice Sussman were lauded for their support of Chabad.

With a straightforwardness that is a hallmark of Staten Islanders, Irit Matuszewicz spoke about her attachment to Chabad. “From Rabbi Katzman I learned that rabbis can be cool,” said Matuszewicz. “Not only do they have great personalities, they sure know how to run a school.” Matuszewicz continued, “The Katzmans have created a haven for many of us who would otherwise have been disenfranchised from Judaism.”

In a touching ceremony, community members who gave of their own time to paint, trim bushes, and fix plumbing for the new building were called up. Sam Steinberg, Alex Steinberg, Hershey Papier, Michael Papier, Sam Papier, and Abe Maltz lit candles before the entire assemblage.

Rabbi Shimon Lawrence of Congregation Bais Yehuda, Staten Island, which is not affiliated with Chabad, said, “The rabbinate of Staten Island owes a debt to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Katzman for the change they have brought to our community. Torah Tots is unparalleled, and their yeshiva’s level of learning is among the best I’ve ever seen. One trait I see there that is lacking elsewhere is the derech eretz, the genuine care and concern the students show for one another. It is exemplary.”

The night’s standing ovation came when the work of Chani Katzman, director of Torah Tots Academy and wife of Rabbi Katzman, was mentioned. The sustained applause was a potent, moving show of support for Chani Katzman, whose day had gone from the stress of the city officials’ intrusion to the spotlight on a glorious night of celebration.

Reported by Rivka Chaya Berman
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At the inauguration of the new preschool.

© 2003 Lubavitch News Service, A division of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch.
Under the auspices of the Lubavitch World Headquarters
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Comments

[rebeljew]

Chabad is basicly an old world, we don't no stinkin' fire codes kind of operation. If I have a room in a house a few sidurim and a Torah, I have a shul. If I have an adult, a couple kids and a book, I can make a school. They assume that the authorities will only get involved if they want something for themselves. Typical shtetl mentality. Very chasidishe.

[Avodas Avoda]

I know I'm not going to win any points with you here... but a lot of these codes are pretty arbitrary. No schools in old Europe had fire codes, and nobody's life was endangered from learning "kometz alef 'O'."

If this particular school (and that's if... you're trying to play prosecuter, judge, and jury here) did violate the law... that hardly makes the school a dangerous place. And its hardly an indictment of Chabad at-large.

Give me a break.

[Avodas Avoda]

Rebel, I'd be curious to see how many thefts, fights, and attempted murders took place in NY on the day that the police were out protecting NY citizens from a Chabad elementary school.

[Harboyne]

it does not work that way . they shouldn't get away with it . they , not only are not in the shtetlakh any longer , but they posture for being at the forefront of modernity . using live satelite technology for lighting menoras simultaneously worldwide . so when it's convenient for them , they are modern , they are chaplains , they are at the White House . when it's not convenient , they are in the shtetl . laws shmaws ! we didn't have those laws in the pale of settlement. go catch the real thieves . one common thread runs thru the whole operation , nothing is what it seems . all lies , deceptions and chillul hashem .

[Avodas Avoda]

Hey, Harboyne... you're missing something. What you're doing now is similar to me making pronouncements against all Quakers based on the performance of Richard Nixon.

You can't just paint us all with the same brush. 99% of Chabad schools run according to code. What we have here is called an exception. That happens in the secular world as well at probably the same frequency as it happens in Chabad.

I was just trying to be m'lamed zechus in addition to the above. And the fact is simple: Shmarya has only ACCUSED the school of violating the fire code. Nobody participating on this forum knows if that's true or not. We don't know the extent of it. And we don't know the Chabad side of the story.

(Of course, Shmarya doesn't think that there are two sides to every story. He thinks that there is his side, and the liar who says differently)

All that happened here is Shmarya, who hates Chabad, smelled blood, and is now using this little piece of news in his latest attack on the entire existence of Chabad.

[Isa]

Hey the city gave Chabad time to clean up their act. It is like the IRS saying we are going to audit you soon, so fix your books now.
It is one thing that one didn't know the law etc, but when one is given notice and does nothing...
Maybe they hung a few more pics of the Rebbe up, The Rebbe protects against all; fire, smoke, pesky 'anti-semite' city inspectors.

[Paul Freedman]

Did I miss something? Were fire code violations actually found? My impression is that the Fire Inspectors found that a license was missing, not that the facility was a fire trap. Personally, I don't see that this story justifies that Chabad, Krinsky, Katzman or anybody else endangered the children in their charge.

[rebeljew]

Sorry Avoda

I started it all. I actually agree with you a bit. what I meant was that the Chasidic groups tend to be lax with city ordinances and common sense safety rules. Chabad in Brooklyn is no exception, though it is certainly not alone in this. To deny this is folly.

To say that 99% follow the rules, I'd have to spot you quite a lot. Brooklyn buildings, especially older ones, are often in horrendous shape. I think we can provide for child safety and pursue criminals at the same time. They do not have to be mutually exclusive goals.

[Shmarya]

"Did I miss something? Were fire code violations actually found? My impression is that the Fire Inspectors found that a license was missing, not that the facility was a fire trap."

The building has NO sprinkler system and insufficent exits.

[Shmarya]

"And the fact is simple: Shmarya has only ACCUSED the school of violating the fire code. Nobody participating on this forum knows if that's true or not."

The City of New York accuses Chabad of violating the fire code.

"We don't know the extent of it. And we don't know the Chabad side of the story."

The "Chabad side of the story" is printed IN FULL above.

"(Of course, Shmarya doesn't think that there are two sides to every story. He thinks that there is his side, and the liar who says differently)"

Shmarya thinks that Chabad adherents like you need some help with reading comprehension. What is it about no license, no sprinler system and too few fire exits that confuses you so?

"You can't just paint us all with the same brush. 99% of Chabad schools run according to code."

770 used to be one massive code violation.

Hadar Hatorah's summer yeshiva had no smoke alarms and no fire extinguishers. Buildings were rotting, steps were collapsing.

And then we have 1414 (the main dorm for 770) and its HUNDREDS of fire, safety and health code violations.

Lubavitch Yeshiva of Minnesota had a whole slew of fire and safety violations several years ago. It was also operating in an overcrowded home zoned residential and had no license. It also regularly transported students in vehicles that were not up to code. The yeshiva also kept a partially filled gas can ON THE BUS in the passenger compartment next to the main exit.

So, let's recap, shall we?

The main Chabad yeshiva and synagogue were rife with major code violations as was Chabad's Brooklyn-based ba'al teshuva yeshiva.

And how did that effect the provences? Look at Minnesota.

[Avodas Avoda]

There is no proof for any of this. This is just your accusations. You reprinted the Chabad article, and called it a lie. There's nothing about sprinkler systems or exits. The issue was the permit. You're turning a little bit of nothing into a lot of hot air, and the reasons are obvious: you hate Chabad and everything it stands for. If Chabad stated that it was in favor of petting dogs, you'd find halachic support for not petting dogs. If Chabad stated that it was not in favor of petting dogs, you'd say that it was an inappropriate chumra, and that it violated minhag hamakom, etc.

And if some fire chief accuses Chabad of not having a permit, you turn it into a story about how all Chabad structures are death traps. Give me a break, Shmarya. Grow up.

[Shmarya]

You really do have a reading comprehension problem!

You'll note that Rabbi Katzman's yeshiva and synagogue (located next door to the daycare) were closed in 1998 for similar violations. When Chabad fixed those violations, it reopened WITHOUT A PROPER PERMIT.

*THE NY DAILY NEWS*
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/313395p-268097c.html

"A Staten Island day care program was shut down yesterday because it had no permits, was overcrowded and lacked sufficient fire exits, officials said.

Torah Tots cared for 89 children in two buildings and a trailer at 289 Harold St. and 389 Bradley Ave. in Willowbrook.

Firefighters conducting a routine building inspection yesterday morning discovered that the center wasn't licensed, and Health Department inspectors arrived soon after to close the three buildings.…

Fire officials issued a number of citations against the center, including one for overcrowding and another for inadequate fire exits.

"The violations were issued for the sake of the children's health and well-being," a Fire Department spokesman said.…"

*THE NEW YORK TIMES*
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/27/nyregion/27daycare.html

"The Buildings Department cited Rabbi Katzman for using the Harold Street address for purposes other than those described on its certificate of occupancy, which describes it simply as a two-family home, said Jennifer Givner, a department spokeswoman. "When our inspectors arrived, we determined the first floor was a synagogue and the cellar was a school," she said.

The building also lacked a sprinkler system and a second exit from the basement, city officials said."…

The inspections and closing drew reporters from several news organizations and created a minor spectacle.

"Traumatized a lot of children and parents," said a woman on the telephone in Rabbi Katzman's office who would not give her name. "We're feeling discriminated against big time. By everybody."

According to the Fire Department, the inspection was scheduled after a lieutenant read an article in The Staten Island Advance last Friday in which Rabbi Katzman announced that the Harold Street building had been bought and that a celebration was planned. "Fund-raising never ends," Rabbi Katzman was quoted as saying."

*Newsday*
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/nyc-day0527,0,4430001.story?coll=ny-main-tabheads

Day care closed over fire violations

BY JEROME BURDI AND GRAHAM RAYMAN

May 27, 2005

City fire and health officials shut down a day care center in Staten Island Thursday that lacked a permit, a sprinkler system and proper fire exits.

Fire officials said the Torah Tots center, which was caring for 89 children in two adjoining buildings and a trailer, did not notify the department that it were about to open the center.

"The Fire Department did what we had to do," said Fire Capt. James Koeth of Engine Co. 163. "If you want to open up a child day care center you have got to send a notification to the FDNY. The rabbi never filed for the permits."

The violations were uncovered after a Fire Department inspector read a May 20 newspaper article about the opening of the day care facility at 289 Harold St. and visited it yesterday, said Fire Chief Dominick deRubbi of Battalion 22.

A complaint about an illegal conversion and noise emanating from the Harold Street home was filed with the buildings department in December, records show.

The center was also cited for overcrowding, with 45 kids in two classrooms, as well given a building code violation, de Rubbi said. There were 25 children in the trailer and 28 in the Harold Street building.

The shutdown comes at a time when state and city officials are tightening the regulation of the thousands of day care centers across the city. The crackdown began after a 2-year-old suffocated last year in a Queens center.

The center is attached to a yeshiva and a temple operated by Chabad Lubavitch. Reached by phone yesterday, a center official said, "I have no idea what you're talking about," and hung up.

Later, Rabbi Moshe Katzman told reporters: "We are running a great program here. The kids are loved and cared for. ... As soon as those violations are worked out, we will resume our programs."

Katz did not take questions.

Parents did not speak with the press. A congregant, Sam Steinberg, 56, who is a special education teacher said the incident was puzzling. "I'm sure our rabbi is law-abiding and I'm sure he's done everything he's needed to do."

Buildings Department spokeswoman Jennifer Givner said the building was given two violations in 1998 for a building at 389 Bradley St. The center put in a sprinkler system and a fire alarm system in the Bradley building, but never called the department back to officially approve the permits. The yeshiva and the temple can continue to operate, she said.

In a written statement, city health officials said the center was "operating without a permit," and said I full inspection will take place.

Jerome Burdi isa freelance writer. Graham Rayman is a staff writer."

[Avodas Avoda]

I think you have the reading comprehension problem. You failed to note this paragraph:

"The center put in a sprinkler system and a fire alarm system in the Bradley building, but never called the department back to officially approve the permits. The yeshiva and the temple can continue to operate, she said."

That doesn't say death trap to me. Apparently, the problems were fixed in 1998. What's left is to get a permit. But, forget it. Never let the facts interfere with a good story. Nor Ahavas Yisroel. Don't let that interfere with a good story. Or laws concerning Loshon Haro... or Torah b'chlal. The show must go on.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

"That doesn't say death trap to me. Apparently, the problems were fixed in 1998. What's left is to get a permit."

Read it again, you've confused yourself. There is more than one building being discussed; one is clearly in current violation of far more than failure to obtain permits. This was a potentially deadly situation.

[Avodas Avoda]

I see now: Harold Street and Bradley Street. I still don't see a death trap. I see an old building with the same problems that many old buildings have. The amazing thing is that these cinderblocks, just waiting to explode, are older, in some cases, than any of the participants in this conversation. Yet you say they're a death trap.

Ok, fine. You can have your opinion. But don't turn this into a Chabad thing. This is an isolated incident involving at most a handful of Rabbis. And, at least according the the articles Shmara's copied, it seems as though the congregants and parents aren't overly concerned. The only people who are livid are people whose involvement in this issue are emotional and indirect at best (ie, Shmarya hates Chabad no matter what they do, and you seem to have jumped on the bandwagon).

[Neo-Conservaguy]

"Shmarya hates Chabad no matter what they do, and you seem to have jumped on the bandwagon)"

I can't/won't/don't speak for Shmarya, and vice versa. I have no hatred for Chabad at all; my family has been positively impacted by a number of great Chabad folks. On the other hand, some of them commit avoda zara on a daily basis. They should be encouraged to keep up the great work while leaving behind the foolish notions they have about their deceased rebbe. They should be held accountable for their positions on kashruth, mikvoth, etc. when those positions either actively or passively imply judgment on other institutions in the community. I once had a good friend that is a Chabad rabbi look me in the eye and claim that he couldn't drink Chalav Yisrael milk from a cup made of glass in my house because we drank Chalav Stam from those cups. This is the kind of superstitious, non-halakhic stuff that needs to be banished from Chabad's mindset if they wish to be successful relating to other Jewish groups.

Shmarya has the courage to post important information that is relevant to many in the Jewish community. I don't always agree with his opinions - then again, I often do - but either way, he provides facts to back up his positions. Sadly, there are many Orthodox Jews that are providing ample bad news for Shmarya to publish.

[Avodas Avoda]

Well, it seems as though you're so smart that you alone can identify: Avoda Zara, superstitious non-halachik divisive practices, and proper halachic standards of mikvaos and kashrus (not to mention, I'm sure, plenty of other things).

Don't pay any attention to the fact that no godol has accused Chabad of Avoda Zara. There was one who called the Rebbe a false prophet (though his hatred for all things foreign to his world-view is well known), and there have been some who have said that certain Chabad beliefs are not inherently Jewish. But the Avoda Zara thing you just made up, my friend. Quite a chiddush!

Don't pay any attention to that fact that many of the "superstitious" activities that you described have been around for much longer than "Neo-Conservatism."

Rather, sit around in the mud and filth that is this website, and talk about the courege an internet stooge has to publish all of his hate-filled views. (There are other hate-sites on the internet. Are they courageous as well?)

[Shmarya]

"Don't pay any attention to the fact that no godol has accused Chabad of Avoda Zara."

See here for a basic overview of halakhic opinions on this issue:

http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2004/04/habad-messianism.html

[Shmarya]

Also here:
http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2004/06/habad-messianism-ii.html

and here:
http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2004/06/habad-messianism-iii.html

[reb jeb]

Avodas-
Do you find it therapeutic to sit at your computer waiting for someone to say something you don't like so you can grind their face in the mud? You are not setting any positive examples, chaver. In addition, from your many posts, I find you even more clueless than those you seek to defame. Maybe you should put away your keyboard for a while, just to resist the temptation to go off spouting your ridiculous drivel. Or maybe you should try Paxil. I've heard it is very effective for the kind of paranoia you seem to exhibit.

[Avodas Avoda]

Gil is, in general, very fair, and very intellectual. I enjoy reading his website, and I oftentimes contribute what little I can to his discussions. I disagree with much of what he has said about Chabad, but I don't think it comes from hatred on his part. (Unlike the slime on this website).

In none of those three links is there a single Rov quoted who states that Chabad messianism is avoda zara. In fact, few if any even said that these ideas were remotely heretical. Most if not all of the rabbeim who Gil qoutes merely claim that Chabad messianism is in error. I disagree, of course - and I could quote many very intelligent and very wise rabbeim who believe that the Rebbe either is Moshiach, or could be Moshiach. So, this issue basically comes down to who you want to listen to.

But nobody has used the words avoda zara to characterize this issue. Certainly nobody who Gil quoted. And nobody else of consequence from what I can tell.

[Avodas Avoda]

Jeb-

Thanks for the advice. I won't worry about the fact that you didn't name any examples of "clueless" posts.

That you come onto this site, read through at least some of the filth produced by its writer, Shmarya, and find it necessary to comment that, of all things, *I'm* not setting a positive example is enough for me to tell that I'm not your "chaver."

I am left to assume that you're an agenda driven punk unless you state otherwise.

[Shmarya]

AA writes: "In none of those three links is there a single Rov quoted who states that Chabad messianism is avoda zara. In fact, few if any even said that these ideas were remotely heretical."

But the link says: "I spoke with R. Hershel Schachter and R. Mordechai Willig on this subject. R. Willig said that R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv has ruled that Habad messianists are ***heretics*** while R. Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg has ruled that they are not. R. Willig said that he believes we have to follow R. Goldberg on this issue."

I don't have your e-mail, so I'm posting this here. You really do have a reading comprehension problem. See if there is an Optomitrist or Opthomologist who practices in the area of Vision Therapy. It should help.

[Avodas Avoda]

I'm going to quote myself now:"there have been some who have said that certain Chabad beliefs are not inherently Jewish" and again "few if any even said that these ideas were remotely heretical."

I did not deny that there were those who held these beliefs to be heretical. I said that they were few in number. And that there are none who call messianism "avoda zara." So far, you have shown (as before, in your links) that there is at least one Rabbi who calls Chabad heretical. I never said otherwise.

If you want to repeat yoursef, go ahead, but we aren't getting anywhere here.

[Shmarya]

What is it about your OWN quotes that so confuses you?

You wrote: ""In none of those three links is there a single Rov quoted who states that Chabad messianism is avoda zara. In fact, few if any even said that these ideas were remotely heretical."

Now, you contradict yourself: "I did not deny that there were those who held these beliefs to be heretical. I said that they were few in number. And that there are none who call messianism "avoda zara." So far, you have shown (as before, in your links) that there is at least one Rabbi who calls Chabad heretical. I never said otherwise."

I'm serious: Try Vision Therapy.

[Avodas Avoda]

I don't see the contradiction. Nobody calls it avoda zara, few if any call it heretical. Few means small in number. One is a small number. You then pointed out one, who I was already aware of, who calls Chabad hereticl. Great. No contradiction. My contention was not that nobody calls Chabad heretical. I know that there are those, who are few in number, who call Chabad heretical. My contention was that nobody calls Chabad avoda zara. And you haven't proven otherwise.

[Shmarya]

A heretic is one who denies a cardinal principle of Judaism. The only possible denial in Chabad's case is one that is halakhicly classified as Avoda Zara. All false worship is Avoda Zara.

[Avodas Avoda]

The principal that most people (who call Chabad messianism a heresy) claim Chabad is violating is the principal concerning the coming of Moshiach. There is nothing about messianism that could possibly threaten the unity of G-d.

[Shmarya]

Wrong. Rabbi Elyashiv's position is based on rebbe worship and related inyanim. Ask Rabbi Willig or Rabbi Schachter.

[Avodas Avoda]

I doubt it. Look, its your word against mine at this point. I don't need to play phone tag with so called gedolim.

If that is their position, then its ridiculous.

[Paul Freedman]

Having read the articles reprinted by Shmarya, the problem of a deathtrap would seem to come down to 25 children in the Harold Street building's cellar in a facility without sprinklers and, presumably, insufficent exits. I agree 25 tots shouldn't be taught in a cellar when the building lacks means to put out a fire and the children would find it difficult to escape if the building did catch fire. As to whether a brownstone building is inherently free from catching fire or exploding in spontaneous combution, the City of New York doesn't seem to think it's fireproof or it wouldn't have enforced the code in the first place--and if other facilities are in violation, well, that's why NYC is tryiing to keep up its enforcement efforts--and not only for Chabad insitutions. The neoconservative vs. Avoda Zara debate is another issue, no?

[dave]

the owner of this site told me 2 years he wasnt on a soap box spouted Jewish hatred and causing division.

I just came across his "new" area.

It is obvious he is a liar. It would also seem he is consumed with this hatred and probably mentally instable.

[samuel steinberg]

I love Chabad. It has helped me to grow as an Orthodox Jew. When I first became a Baal Teshuvah, I could not get a single Orthodox Rabbi in the Five Towns area of Long Island to help me. I accidently stumbled into Chabad of Cedarhurst, Long Island and discovered Rabbi Zalman Wolowick. He took me under is wing and helped me learn how to daven and gave me a pair of teffilin. That is the plus side. The negative side of Chabad is their belief that their dead leader is the messiah. This belief is no different from the Christians belief that their dead leader is the messiah. In both cases the leader was a charismatic Rabbi and their followers could not believe that they had died. If we as Jews don't accept Jesus as the messiah,how can we then accept the Rebbe as the messiah? It is also said about the messiah that he was or will be born on Tisha B'0v. The Rebbe wasn't born on this day, so he can not be the messiach.

[moshe kaufman]

stop making up lies about 1)torah judaism in genrealand 2)chabd lubavitch-crown heights chassidim in particular.what you are doing is a severe sin called loshon hara and you also spread sinas chinim about
torah jews which usualy has no bases in reality or a verey minor occurences maybe if you would go to a real shul you might actualy find out about the beuty of judaism and stop trying to destroy it!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[moshe kaufman]

samuels beliefs about moshiach and why our holly rebbe is cahs veshalom not moshiach is totaly absurd he should check out his facts!!!!!!!1

[moshe kaufman]

samuels beliefs about moshiach and why our holly rebbe is cahs veshalom not moshiach is totaly absurd he should check out his facts!!!!!!!1

[moshe kaufman]

samuels beliefs about moshiach and why our holly rebbe is cahs veshalom not moshiach is totaly absurd he should check out his facts!!!!!!!1

[moshe kaufman]

samuels beliefs about moshiach and why our holly rebbe is cahs veshalom not moshiach is totaly absurd he should check out his facts!!!!!!!1

[Deborah Shaya]

1. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn tz”l, known as, ‘The Rebbe,’ was NOT the Mashiach.

Those who erroneously believe him to be the Mashiach that Am Yisrael is waiting for today, are bordering on Christianity, and committing the grave sin of Avodah Zarah, Idolatry.

Idolatry is forbidden in the Torah, and is the Second of the Asseret Hadibrot.
Similarly in the case of Breslov with Rav Nachman tz”l.

2. There should be NO MEDIATOR between a person’s tefillot and Hashem.

If a person chooses to use intercession instead of praying directly to Hashem, this is completely Assur.

If the leaders of Chabad/Lubavitch encouraged people to use the “Igrot” /(“Igros”) - including Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, tz”l - they were wrong. Using the Igrot is using intercession. Similarly the practices of

(1) "reading out the Igrot request to a PICTURE of Rabbi Schneersohn tz"l" is direct Avodah Zarah. We are only allowed to pray to Hashem.

(2) sending faxes to the Bet HaChaim should be stopped immediately.

(3) Praying directly to the Tzaddik at the Bet HaChaim is wrong. It causes tremendous tsaar to the Neshamah of the Tzaddik in Shamayim. We pray only to Hashem – directly ourselves. NO mediator is permitted.

These practices are abhorrent and against the Torah. They are assur and forbidden, and should all be stopped.

If the tzaddik advised that people do this in his lifetime – he was wrong. And this must be corrected. Speedily.

TESHUVAH to Hashem should be done speedily instead - by the whole of the Lubavitch organisation especially. The whole of the Lubavitch organisation is currently all refusing to do Teshuvah.

Similarly in the case of Breslov, with those who go Uman to pray directly to the Tzaddik – instead of directly to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. “Intercession” and “mediation” is against the Torah.
The Torah cannot be mixed with Avodah Zarah. This is twisting the Torah, and the Torah must remain straight.

[Deborah Shaya]

2a. There should be NO MEDIATOR between a person’s tefillot and Hashem.

Hashem likes to hear the prayers, tefillot, from our OWN mouths. Even if all we know is how to recite the first 3 letters of the Aleph Bet: Aleph, Bet, Gimmel... Our very own tefillot TO HASHEM, are much more precious than anything else.

By going to the Bet HaChaim (cemetery - incorrectly referred to as “the Ohel” by Lubavitch), and lighting a candle, praying, making a request, and then going home – such a person is “leaving it all to the tzaddik” who is not physically alive. You can’t leave it all “to him!”. This is completely Assur and forbidden.

We too, can be tzaddikim – and be like the tzaddik. The tzaddik has already made all his tefillot to Hashem in his lifetime. And these are very precious to Hashem.
Hashem is now waiting for US – to make our OWN tefillot to Him.

We pray to Hashem – at all times. If a person is insisting on praying to one of the creations of Hashem, instead of directly to the King Himself, Hashem will say to us, "You are meant to pray to ME!"

Remember that Hashem, our G-d, is a very "JEALOUS G-D" who demands "EXCLUSIVE WORSHIP." (2nd Commandment of the Asseret Hadibrot.)

What is your logic in going there?

The Ashkenazi tradition has encouraged people to do this, and it is very wrong. Teshuvah to Hashem must be done quickly.

3. The Jewish People is a “Holy People.” “Am Kadosh.”

We are referred to as being Hashem’s special “Treasure.” We are a “Holy Nation,” and so holy, that we are to emulate the Cohanim, who are of a much higher stature than the rest of the Jewish People. One day, we will all be on the level of a “Kingdom of Priests.”

Hashem has told us, “.…Ve’atem tiheyu li Mamlechet Kohanim ve’goi kadosh…” (Yitro, 19:5-6)

“…And you shall be to Me, a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, and a HOLY NATION….”

The Benei Yisrael must follow the example of the true Cohanim. We should emulate the Cohanim in our daily lives. The Cohanim are not allowed to go into any cemetery (Jewish or not Jewish), as they cannot come into contact with ANY meitim whatsoever. We too, should emulate the Kohanim in our daily lives, and be pure like them.

We too, should not be coming into contact with meitim where we can help it.

Hashem has told us, “.…Ve’atem tiheyu li Mamlechet Kohanim ve’goi kadosh…” (Yitro, 19:5-6)

“…And you shall be to Me, a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, and a HOLY NATION….”

A person’t tefillot, prayers, from the Kotel, or from his or her own house are truly delightful to Hashem. A person can also go to the Kotel to pray, and make the journey there, to pray to Hashem. Hashem’s Presence is always there.

[Deborah Shaya]

4. Why was the place of Moshe Rabeinu, the very greatest of all the Prophets, kept hidden from us? Precisely so that Moshe would c”v never be worshipped. So that people would never pray to Moshe, c”v, instead of directly to Hashem, themselves. The Torah states very clearly:

“…velo yada ish et kevurato ad hayom hazeh” (Vezot Haberacha 34:6) “…and no man knows the place that he was buried even to this day.”

If people are praying to a tzaddik, who is finite – and of far lesser stature than Moshe Rabeinu – instead of to Hashem – who is Infinite – that is avodah zarah.

If people wish to go to the Kivrei Tzaddikim to pray to Hashem from there, that is their choice. Far better, is to encourage people to go instead to the most holy place in the world – the Kotel. Hashem’s Presence is always there.

The Kotel is where people should be going to pray to Hashem. Not the Bet HaChaim.

5. If people want to pray to anyone else, and make requests of any being other than Hakadosh Baruch Hu, they might as well join Christianity.

When Moshe prayed, he prayed to Hashem. He did not pray to any Malachim or any celestial beings. These are all the creations of Hashem.

We are not allowed to pray to the creations of Hashem.

Similarly, with regard to the Selichot, and the Neilah prayer for Yom Kippur in the Ashkenazi tradition - they include direct Tefillot and requests to Malachim.

The Malachim are the creations of Hashem.

We are not allowed to pray to any Malachim.

This is completely assur and causes very great damage and harm. I emphasise that this is something very grave which needs to be rectified as well - speedily.

The Selichot and the Neilah Tefillah for Yom Kippur should be amended speedily to remove all prayers and requests to Malachim.

[Deborah Shaya]

6. The false argument used by Lubavitch to permit intercession on a person’s behalf, is the act of Calev ben Yefuneh praying at the Cave of Machpelah in Chevron. He prayed for success in his mission of “spying out” the Land, Eretz Yisrael.

No one can use this as a precedent for asking the Tzaddikim - and specifically, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn tz"l - who are no longer alive physically on earth, to pray on a person’s behalf. This causes them tremendous suffering in Shamayim.
This is twisting the Torah, and the Torah cannot ever be twisted.

The reason Calev’s act cannot be used as a precedent, is that NO ONE, can be compared to the supreme Kedusha of the Avot, of Avraham, Yitzchak ve’Yaakov Avinu.

We pray the Amidah 3 times a day, and we always recall the great merit of the Avot in the very first Beracha. What can be greater than that when we pray to Hashem?

This does need to be corrected very quickly, to be in line with the Torah.

7. When people need help, why doesn’t Lubavitch teach people to look inside the Torah, which is Eternal and Infinite - instead of letters written to other people by Rabbi Schneersohn tz”l during his lifetime?

Why doesn't Lubavitch choose the very greatest of all prophets, Moshe Rabbeinu?

8. Moshe is the greatest of all prophets, and no other prophet was equal to him.

“Zichru Torat Moshe Avdi” we are told in Malachi (3:22)

There simply is no comparison between Moshe Rabbeinu and Rabbi Schneersohn tz”l, although Rabbi Schneersohn tz”l was a Tzaddik and a very righteous and good man.

Moshe Rabbeinu was the greatest of all prophets, and we do not even pray in the name of Moshe. Neither do we pray in the name of David Hamelech, whose descendent is the Mashiach.

However, in the very first Beracha of the Amidah, the silent prayer to Hashem containing our requests, we recall the merit of the Avot: “…..Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzhak Velokei Yaakov….” “….The G-d of Avraham, the G-d of Yitzhak and the G-d of Yaakov…”
The beracha is concluded with “Magen Avraham.

In summary:
(1) We pray to Hashem – at all times.

(2) There should be NO mediator between Hashem and a person’s tefillot – otherwise this is Assur.

Therefore the practice of using the “Igrot” /(“Igros”) for "requests" and "guidance" should be stopped. Similarly the practices of sending faxes to the Bet HaChaim, and praying to the tzaddik at the Bet HaChaim instead of directly to Hashem ourselves - should be stopped immediately. They are abhorrent and against the Torah.

The reason for this is that these practices use intercession. And the use of a “mediator” or someone to “intercede on a person’s behalf” to Hashem, is assur.
Teshuvah to Hashem must be done - very speedily.