In a letter sent to parents yesterday, Belz rabbinic leadership in London, England reiterated its previous ban on Belz women driving cars and added an ominous warning to hasidim – we'll expel your children from our schools if you don't follow our ban.
Belz Hasidic Leadership In London Reiterates Ban On Women Driving, Threatens To Expel Children From Belz Schools If Their Mothers Drive
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
In a letter sent to parents yesterday, Belz rabbinic leadership in London, England reiterated its previous ban on Belz women driving cars and added an ominous warning to hasidim, Behadrei Haredim reported.
The letter said that “because the incidents of mothers of male and female students” in Belz hasidic schools “driving cars has recently multiplied - contrary to the rules of religious modesty in our camp and [contrary to the] etiquette [and] respect parents [are expected to have for all] hasidic institutions, including Belz institutions in particular,” mothers who continue to drive cars will be punished by having their children expelled from school.
The letter also says local rabbinic leaders asked the Belzer Rebbe what to do about this situation and he agreed both with the ban on women driving and with the punishment suggested for breaking it.
"Therefore, we wish to announce that from Rosh Chodesh Elul 5775 [i.e., August 16, 2015 on the Gregorian calendar], not one male or female student will be allowed to study our institutions if his mother is driving a car. But someone who has no other option [but to drive] – and this [need] may only be for medical reasons – must apply for the special committee [set up] for this purpose, and the committee discuss [the driving ban’s] application [to that particular case],” the letter, which was singed by the entire Belz rabbinic leadership in London, continues.
[Hat Tip: Marty Bluke.]