Hello everyone- I’m traveling so I don’t have the opportunity to respond to your comments but I appreciate all of your thoughts. In the meantime, I want to say the following: In the last day, I have learned an enormous amount more about Chabad and heard from so many people about Chabad and this incident. There are many creases and viewpoints here. But ultimately, the story remains largely as I relayed it in the video, which is: The chabad “tunnel” story is about an illegal expansion of the iconic 770 Eastern Parkway synagogue. When the expansion recently came to the public attention, official Chabad ordered to fill the space, and some more hot headed men tried to block the cement trucks. The cops were called, the altercations were recorded, and went viral. The vast majority of Chabad folks I heard from are expressing most of their frustration/anger/disappointment with this cohort of men who were involved in the altercation with the cops (Called Tzfatim by many). Personally, I think this whole thing is a typical infighting drama that was turned into a sensationalist saga about trafficking and perving with clickbaity words like “tunnels” and ”mikvah” and a climate in which people love to imagine Jews in insane conspiracy roles. The whole “bloodied mattress” thing is another example. I don’t know if people are posting about it in good faith. Have you seen the trash all around NYC? The mattress looks stained to me. Goodness knows why it was there. I think the most probable answer is squatters. I have been to 770 several times, including during high holidays, and the insanity there completely lends itself to young men finding crawl spaces to sleep in. If you visit, it looks like this entire block is essentially chabad campus with a ton of hullabaloo. Now here’s the important part I want to say: I made this live video because I felt like I had something to say. That something was that this was about an illegal synagogue expansion, not some wild conspiracy. In a moment in which I see an enormous amount of disturbing content about Jews, I felt I owed it to the fair-minded viewers to explain the general arc of the story. However, as I said, I’m far from an expert on Chabad. I hate to feel like I’m another ‘content creator’ who jumps onto the next story mining for clicks. I hope that I am more honest than that, and that this is not where this video is coming from. But since creating a more detailed, well cited, video would have taken days, and it was important, in the current climate, to provide an explanation, I did an impromptu live. But now that I know so much more, I want to share some links here from sources that can speak a lot more effectively to the issue: An excellent twitter thread: twitter.com/kilovh/status/1744884820780397015 A rendering of what the additional space / aka “tunnel” would have looked like: twitter.com/thislouis/status/1744872763754758187 A map of the area explaining a lot, like how the women’s section is an extension to the side, connecting to another building that’s the mikvah. Also helps explain why there was “digging” - because the synagogue is basement level, and to add the space under the next door building, they had to excavate the basement of the adjacent building. imgur.com/a/nNOXnR5 Renderings of an imagined expansion which isn’t happening so far because of chabad ownership disputes: newyorkyimby.com/2020/12/renderings-reveal-striking-expansion-of-chabad-lubavitch-headquarters-at-770-eastern-parkway-in-crown-heights-brooklyn.html I might add links along the way in further comments. Thanks all for being kind to me.
G-d bless you, Frieda. Don’t worry about what “people” might think. Anyone familiar with your VLOG knows your intentions are honorable. The control/ownership issues about 770 go back to after the histalkut of the Rebbe. Personally, I was close with Rabbi Yehudah Kalman Marlowe. The whole subject is nothing the Rebbe ever would have approved of or tolerated. But this is the state of the world currently. According to the teachings of the Rebbe, not a surprise and part of “the Days of Moshiach”. As incredible as that may sound to some. One of the last directives from the Rebbe to everyone was strive to do one more act of loving kindness. In other words, treat each other with kindness and respect. Sounds simple, yes?!
Thank you Frieda - I do think it would be informative for you to interview a Chabad woman, both to learn our views and because you’ve been interviewing almost exclusively men (Pearl the obvious exception) for quite a while. I’ve been trying to think who would be best, and it’s hard bc there are so many different viewpoints within Chabad itself. There are amazing shluchas out there who both grew up in Crown Heights and have been on shlichus for many years who could broaden your and your viewers’ perspectives. (I sent you the pic of the peyos hair gel a few weeks back on IG PM’s so I would be happy to chat further there.)
@@Dev_KG You have no idea how many women I've been trying so hard to get. But yes a chabad woman would be a great idea. The biggest issue I have with chabad ppl is asking which chabad ppl. I'm a good judge of who I want to talk to on Satmar issues but I don't have as good a feel for the right people I want to talk to in chabad. I don't want PR spin, I also don't want ex chabad disgruntled stuff. Someone honest, insightful and loving.
Love what you're doing Frieda. We need a voice like yours out there, rational and straight and just normal. In a hyper-sensationalist world that's a commodity. Keep it up!
In Yiddish Jargon there is an often used word to describe an unmarried male. The word is "Bucher" (בחור). This word gets often translated in English as "Boy", although -as you mentioned- this can create confusion, as in English this word will not normally be used for an adult male. In short: You are right that there were full grown men there, but this fringe group (משיח'סטן) has lots of unmarried men within them (something unusual within the chasidic community), and therefore people will call them "a group if boys".
It is all about the stability of the building. They did not have a permit to do what they were doing. So it makes everyone including the City a bad spot so they had to do something about it. Especially if the buildings were seriously. damaged.
These "boys" are very, very lucky that the whole shebang did'nt collapse on top of them killing or seriously injuring them. They allegedly hired migrants to work at night putting the workers at risk of death or injury. How did penniless" bachelor "students without money pay migrants to work under such hazardous conditions? Curiouser and Curiouser.
I occasionally check into your channel to hear your unbiased opinions. I completely appreciate your concerns to "set the record straight". Thank you for being the shining light and clarifying so much confusion plaguing the Jewish communities.
Chabad is going to have to explain why a child's mattress and highchair were in the alleged male mikvah. And, why the tunnel was otherwise filthy, thus not in line with religious cleanliness rules.
@@bonsaitomato8290who said they were building a secret tunnel to a garbage dump? There's a little garbage in a crappily expanded basement. It's not solid evidence of anything. You could never take them to trial for child trafficking with this little, meaningless evidence (but if you hate Jews, you can convince yourself it's solid evidence of sick crimes). The crime is the illegal digging. End of story.
Frida your contribution to the world’s understanding of the Orthodox is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Hashem knew exactly what he was doing when he pulled you out of the Sat Mar to be fully who you are. Yes I know this was on your own agency, and at the same time I must acknowledge the greater pattern we are all part of and cannot fully see. Big love!
I don’t even rely on mainstream news anymore, and instead I wait for alternative explanations to come out online to get a better picture. Thanks for the clarifications. And in general your content is VERY helpful even to us non-Jewish people. It’s nice to come to a trusted site for balance and accuracy and peace and learning. So much value!
Chabad women are much more knowledgeable because the Rebbe encouraged wimen to say and study chitas(chumash,tehillim and Tanya) on a daily basis. There are women who study other important topics, such as sefer hamitzvos, hayom yom etc. Girls in high school now learn gemorrsh too. All this is with initiative and encouragement of the Rebbe. The Rebbe would speak to the women twice a year. 1. Before Rosh Hashonah 2 during a women's convention before Shavuos. The women would come together during those times in the men's section of 770. (Of course it was vscated by the men for those two occassions). The Rebbe is so different then other chassidic Rabbis,because he was always encoyraging women and girls to increase in learning and in doing outreach. I believe there are many female baalei tshuva today who became religious because of the Rebbe's attitude towards women.
Wow, finally a rational voice on this subject! Thank you! Could you please contact Tim Pool and maybe go on his show as a guest or maybe recommend someone who could? Many RUclipsrs including Tim Pool are completely ignorant on this subject and it is leading to wild speculation and antisemitism among some of the people in the comment section. I'm not Jewish but I visited the Chabab synagogue in Brooklyn while working on a documentary. I found them fascinating!
This is NOT some small event that the evil media is spinning into a "crazy story". This community has shown us time and time again that it is their belief the rules do not apply to them. This was illegal and a huge safety risk. Just take responsibility.
My father’s side is Jewish and I have noticed obvious disregard towards the law and opinions/wants/needs of others. They just do what they think is right regardless of others. It’s a known Jewish trait. Not everyone is like that but many are.
Frieda I’ve have enjoyed your videos so far and I don’t usually publicly comment but today I MUST say that if it wasn’t for Chabad I would not be the observant, compassionate and concerned about tikune olam as I am today
Me too! My whole family became frum 30 yrs ago from the very very best loving shluchim in Fla. So sorry about this group of bochurim that just have gone overboard and so against everything Chanad stands for
There is a small percentage of mentally ill people who have been allowed to do what they want in the shul for the past 20 years. Religious ferver can mask mental illness. Hopefully this will be the thing that will help the Rabbi's take control and have normalcy.
The New York Post article mentions that the Rabbis are taking action to revoke the student visas of those who participated. Kol HKavod to them. I know some other US schools who can take a lesson on how to deal with radical and unruly students.
I studied for about five months at a religious school in Jerusalem. It seemed to me that a few students were staying at the school because they could not function in the outside world. The building had many rooms including dormitories. One fellow spent hours each day kissing mezuzahs. I mentioned this to a rabbi and teacher who simply praised how pious this person must be.
I knew a woman in Jerusalem who was obsessive and compulsive but when she applied this to mitzvot, others just found her chumrot (stringencies) to be praiseworthy.
Any group needs a leader. Chabad faces some though times without a strong popular leader. It is so easy for people to claim they are following the wishes of the Rebbe.
I appreciate your explanation of events. I don't watch the news because it is so distressing for me but "headlines" manage to seep through into my brain. I wanted to know what was going on with 770, but I didn't want to hear it from the media.Even when I was there over 45 years ago, it was SO crowded.
Thank you for this video and your voice of reason. If it weren't for Chabad, their outreach and their ahavas yisroel, so many Jews here in South Africa would not be frum. We have the most phenomenal community who accept and love all Jews. They encourage secular Jews to perform mitzvos like utting on Tefillin and hand out Shabbos candles to bring more light into our world. When my husband and I got married we did not spend one Shabbos alone during tje first year. The Chabad community embraced us and were such great role models tous as newlyweds. We follow most Chabad customs, I teach in a Chabad school and my husband, who is a rabbi will often incorporate Chabad niggunim, stories and traditions into our community. The fact that the Lubavicher Rebbe wanted his Shluchim to find every Jew on every continent was to reach out and show the beauty of Yiddishkeit, in a loving and non forceful way. We have our communities but we live in the world to be a light and beacon of acceptance, love and hope. And the world needs this now more than ever.
Every group has its role in the spiritual tapestry of the world. It seems weird chabad thinks their Rebbe is Moshiach, but if it leads to the cultivation of virtue then let people follow him until the real Moshiach lands.
Thank you so much for this! When I saw news reports on this on my work PC today, my first thought was, after wondering if it was some bazaar joke, was, “I’ll bet Frieda will explain this to us”
I had heard it was a group of young students who were trying to illegally expand the synagogue for their own use and the leaders of the school were pretty pinched about it
Thank you Frieda for focusing on what you know, strange as it is to me. As one raised in the nonobservant world I have the greatest respect for Chabad who reached out to my husband and I.
I was hoping that you would touch on this story, which obviously had more to it than the crazy SM running narrative. It all makes enormous sense now. Thank you and this should be a reminder to all that most stories get twisted extremely quickly in this SM age.
Hmmm, my church really needs more space for events outside of services, classes, ministry meetings, social and charitable gatherings. There’s a fire station next door beyond two empty lots. Maybe the men’s and boy’s ministries could come with shovels and pick axes during the night and start tunneling? That firehouse has a pretty nice social hall attached to it!
@@gmw3083 Hamas are gangsters. Hopefully within the next 5 yrs cooler heads can make a better peace agreement. The other side needs to get rid of Benny (and the Jets) Netanyahu.
For sure! I should stop being shocked or surprised, but I am, when I see people that are supposedly so devout behaving like ridiculous punks. Like that footage from Israel, where the Hasidic Jewish young men were spitting on cloaked nuns walking down the street near them. Absolutely shameful and nonsensical.
Apparently all the young men that were arrested were released Tuesday night and they were seen singing and dancing in the streets after being let out, all while blocking roads. I mean… seriously? 😒 All that digging could’ve accidentally collapsed the building + other buildings surrounding it.. which could have caused the deaths of hundreds/thousands of people. Just shameful and embarrassing. This story was all over the news outlets, and in many foreign news outlets too. I saw many videos and articles of this story in French, Spanish, Italian, and even in Korean and Japanese! I translated many of the comments and they were all quite antisemitic and plain hateful, with many people commenting conspiracy theories, which is unfortunate.
Everyone else in NYS is arrested and released immediately. It’s called “catch and release” and it’s an awful law that sends all sorts of criminals out on the streets, so sadly that’s not particular to this. Shameful that they’re out dancing and singing. This has hurt the heart of every real Lubavitcher.
Look as a Jew I was horrified by the story. The actions of these boys are a total disgrace to what their yeshivah clothing represent, and as very much an insider believe me when I say majority of our boys are very far from this. And no I don't profess to live in a perfect community, just saying that this in particular is NOT your everyday yeshivah boy. And may I propose the idea that some - I said some - of our dear college students out on the streets violently protesting would not hesitate to do the same if they found such an act useful or relevant in any way? I'm not out against college students either - all I'm saying is hotheaded youth are hotheaded youth wherever you go. Been around since forever. Thank you again Frieda, for an excellent and clear coverage
Wonderful explanation and thanks for doing the video. I live in NYC and the stories were troubling and false. It was a gift to antisemitists. I’m grateful that you are always so honest and clear! ❤️
@@luxpursuitspeople were alleging it was some sort of child trafficking ring. I even saw posts connecting it to Epstein, saying how it was just “1 mile” from Epstein’s NYC home. 😂 That’s so absurd, when Epstein’s place was in Manhattan so roughly 5mi but also… there are 20 million people within a few miles of Manhattan & we can’t all be connected to Epstein
The young men who were involved in the tunnel digging are minority of a minority albeit a group which has the capacity to attract much attention and notoriety. 770 I hope will undergo a total renovation in the near future to accommodate the huge crowds which arrive from the “four corners of the world” throughout the year, especially during the High Holidays.
According to the AP the tunnel was 60 ft long, 8 feet wide and connected four buildings. How does this jibe with a bunch of hotheaded young men initiating a building expansion? This was an ambitious project that required some construction and engineering knowledge. I hope a better explanation is forthcoming.
As a member of the Chabad community, I think you were pretty much were on point about everything you said. And on a different note, I've been following your videos and really enjoy your content.
The Associated Press is reporting the tunnel is 60 feet long and 8 feet wide. The NYC Department of Buildings is saying the buildings are unstable. This sounds a lot more than a small hole punched through a foundation by pranksters. I’m sure Chabad wants to downplay it but I suspect it’s spin.
These underground spaces have always been there these passageways were part of the foundational passageways of the building and the students connected those passageways with a series of holes that were dug through a few walls that connected those passageways.
But unless the City is lying those “little holes” have destabilized the building. Perhaps if the students had some background in physics or engineering they would have known that.
I love Chabad. As a born-Jew who was raised by a Shoah survivor who wanted NOTHING to do with Judaism, it has been Chabad that has helped me come home.
As a Chabad follower I would argue that they are Hasidic , but have an outward focus on reaching secular or non affiliated Jews. They often live in small remote sparsely populated Jewish areas. Women wear wigs rather than tichels. I wear tichels and jeans and am accepted. There’s a greater degree of toleration about differences, e.g. I work full time and am a sole parent
Tzippi I grew up in one and live in the other. I can tell you Bal Harbour (please note the correct spelling) and the surrounding areas had precisely zero frum Jews when I was growing up and it only started after the Lipskars started to really make something of it. Bal Harbour (inside the village itself) was restricted and I remember the article in the Miami Herald “Orthodox Rabbi Buys House in Restricted Bal Harbour.” When I say no one, I mean no one. This is all only since the mid 90’s. Which for me is pretty recent, since my family came to Miami Beach in 1927.
@@Dev_KG You are speaking of Rabbi Lipskar. Have you been to the area in the past 10-15 years? It is all frum. Since everyone left NYC, it is inasne!!! So is SoBe in the Frum areas.
@@Dev_KG yes, I do too. I have for 20 years. I watched the whole thing grow out of proportion. I cannot believe what is getting ready to happen to the mall. We do not need another 600 apartments in the area. There’s no parking now.
Bravissima!!! Once again, this gets the record straight, not another situation of Sussanah and the Evil Judges. THANK YOU!!! The word Christians use to describe those with a missionary zeal who do outreach of this nature is "evangelical" if it's just like the girls you describe, or the Chabad centers and houses. And you're right, Chabad has a BIG footprint!
Thank you for explaining, Frieda. As a Kansas City gentile, and having grown up with many Kansas City Jews (and feeling very concerned about my friends) my sense is that if this had happened 6 months ago, before the Hamas tunnels had been exposed, that we would never have heard about it on the international or even national level. Shalom 💙🇮🇱🤍
Thank you for covering this odd story and giving us all this context I didn’t find online. I can’t imagine how they thought they could actually annex another building by illegal tunneling but I’m more confused why wiser/older people at that synagogue didn’t stop them. I also thought it was very interesting what you said about how Hasidic women in more closed groups aren’t introduced to feminism so have a different way of thinking. That makes a lot of sense, but I hadn’t thought of that point (perhaps because I grew up familiar with feminism) and I would like to learn more about that. Thank you for the video!
I appreciate the video and actually was glad to see you had made a video (when it showed on my homepage) because I felt I could trust your perspective. The entire coverage and story has seemed so strange to me. The behavior in the videos from those in the tunnel seems to have been “explained” by the media, but the flipping of pews, interfering to some slight degree with police, chaos that was happening by all the other men - did not make sense to me. I had hoped to gain a better understanding of what that dynamic in the leaked video might have been about. Or thought maybe what was being said could have been interpreted - since it seemed like those taking those actions were upset the “extremist” were being arrested. You did not touch on that in the video, but the second part of your video did help shed light on the tension between those who may have been in the room together at the same time. That was very helpful. Though it may seem totally understandable to someone who has been to the area to think it would make sense for young men to find tunnels or go to those places to sleep to escape the craziness of a high holiday crowd - that absolutely does not track for most of us. And tunnels connecting under buildings that have no affiliation - digging and zagging all over the place - hand dug or permitted and engineered - is not an openly understood concept either. That is strange. For anyone, for any reason, to dig tunnels to connect building they do not own to other buildings they do not own is strange. The way the Jewish community is being treated, categorized, etc is just awful, and we all could do better to seek understanding rather than to throw accusations. But, somebody was up to something and I would venture to say - these somebodys were willing to dig, in the dark, underground, in secret, defend the actions, and go to jail, for what they had done. I think there is way more to this story - and also, to the reasons these individuals thought it was important enough to take such “extreme” actions to do so. That statement does not mean the reasons are dark or sinister in nature or even wrong necessarily, but these individuals sure were hiding their actions. A wise man once said “there is nothing hidden that that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open”.
No, I haven't heard that "perverts" were trying to peek. I did hear that, as usual, Chabad decided to expand without building permits, safety, or consideration for anyone else. Very traditional.
It is an illegal tunnel that may be dangerous to people who occupy structures above the tunnel. Does not conform to building codes. It's not just a 'basement' but the basement leads to the tunnel. The only topic here should be the fact that it's illegal , should be investigated, punished and corrected. You're blowing it off as if it's not a big deal. It's a big deal in terms of rendering a structure unstable that may potentially hurt others. Your thoughts?
Well if they're going to investigate punish, and fix it. then they've got to do that to the entire state of New York the entire city of Brooklyn and start making regular inspections of buildings. I don't know a single landlord or homeowner in any county that hasn't done their own work inside their house if at all possible.
Of course the city of New York needs to get a building inspector and some engineers out there and deal with it. That's not the issue here. The issue here is all the speculations of activities that make whackos and evil people drag up the old Jewish blood libel nonsense. Given everything that has happened since October 7, blood libel accusations could be life threatening to Jews right now. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_libel
The difference between an unsafe building and human trafficking is miles of tunnel long. You are welcome to say the building violations are a big deal, I have no argument with that. But that's NOTHING on the level of a pedo/perving/etc ring which is what I read on online posts that had hundreds of thousands if not millions of views.
Thank you for your calm explanation. Just to comment on your last statement that Chabad didn't explain that there were no nefarious plots connected to the tunnel story. These crazy plot lines are so beyond anyone in Chabad's imagination. We all know of the group of students who believe they know better than their elders, they have been causing problems for years. They are heedless of others opinions and trample all over the majority of Chabad chassidim's feelings and decisions. That they decided unilaterally to "expand" the synagogue by digging underground, putting lives at risk and potentially destroying a synagogue building, is unfathomable and mind-boggling enough. That they had the chutzpah to physically attack those who, upon discovering the illegal excavations, were trying to repair the situation, causing them to call the NYPD for help is painful and shameful. If the press and social media wish to enjoy a field day by deliriously crafting crazy plot-lines on the backs of people in distress so be it, I unfortunately, have long lost faith in most of them.
It's true that you can be a person of great faith and a good person at the core, and still be a young'un whose prefrontal cortex still isn't fully developed so you don't always make the wisest of decisions.
they are more closed-minded, though - they just pretend to be "liberal" for PR - but they basically only learn Chabad chassidus, as opposed to other chassidim who learn other chassidishe seforim and non-chassidishe seforim
As a complete outsider (irreligious non-Jew), after reading up a bit about Chabad the last couple of days, I'm intrigued about this, because I got the impression that they are extremely insular along strictly ethnic, rather than religious lines. It made me curious about which Hasidic sects are more or less willing to engage (be less insular) with non-Jews and the rest of humanity generally.
@@Juttutin On an individual level, you can find people in every Hasidic group who are more willing to engage with others, and some who are less. There is more variation than outsiders (especially those who don't live in proximity to Hasidic Jews) would imagine. But on a community level, most don't view their mission as being one of outreach, but as preserving their community. The insularity is mainly about preserving religious values. But most will be welcoming to converts (I write this as someone who converted to Orthodox Judaism). I'd also differentiate between becoming a full time member of a specific community or an occasional visitor. Both are possible, but the former can take more time to integrate due to the numerous social and cultural nuances. Also bear in mind, Hasidic groups don't view their way as being the sole way to keep Judaism, although all view Orthodox Judaism as such. So even when it comes to non religious Jews, while they'd encourage them to be Orthodox, they may not encourage them to take on their particular lifestyle and customs as it can be difficult for those not raised within such an environment.
Thank you for this. It was certainly a wild out of character scene with the NYPD. There was a lot of lurid wild speculation on line yesterday based on mainstream scandals, including child trafficking (!)
Safe trip!! As a Lubavitcher. SHKOACH!! TYSM!!! Yup, that's the story in a nutshell. You did a great job. I'll just add. These were 5-10 known mishugoim (mentally ill) literally. The tunnel is suspected to be made during Covid when mikvas were closed. It makes sense that the homeless or guests possibly found it. To sleep there. It's very normal for young men to fall asleep or sleep in 770 in general, especially after a late farbrengen. Probably nothing nefarious was going on. During the Jewish New Year and Tishrei holidays, 770 has 1000s coming from all over the world, especially France and Israel. They sometimes come with no where to stay, and there's organizations that place them in homes and buildings. I'm assuming someone brought one of those mattresses (usually old disgusting ones) to 770 to sleep there when they found this dugout. To be able to chap a good place for the prayers. I'd say about mishichist it's half and half. Lol when counting Israel, France, South America. In the US the official heads of Chabbad like to give that narrative. A lot of them believe not to publicize. But according to what the Rebbe said and Chabbad Chassidic teachings, One needs to think Moshiach can come any second so one needs to have someone in mind. That person is the Nasi Hador(Head of Generation lit). we believe our Rebbe is the Nasi, so 1+1=2. The Rebbe is the Nasi the Nasi is Moshiach. I am very impressed with your homework on researching what happened. Tzfas yeshiva sends boys every year they are being blamed, but usually, the people doing these things are from a different yeshiva, and the crazies that are always in 770. Some even Americans. Yes, a very non incident. The whole story is exactly what Frieda said. Young crazy men, doing silly things. Not approved by any Rabbi or any boards of the shul on either side of the politics.
Leave it to crazy teenage boys in NYC. I kid, but this is so needed because social media is convinced you’re trafficking people and that Judaism is about weird stuff. I don’t know much about anything here but the stuff they make up about you is insane to me.
I think you did this very well. I also agree that Chabad needs to give more information. If they are going to be so "out there" in the world - and they certainly are - they need to clarify this situation, especially for the sake of the rest of the Jewish world. I don't think they expected this to be such a big story, but it is, and, as usual, many people and organizations are using this humanizing and almost humorous story to paint a sinister picture of the Jews. They're gonna think what they wanna think, and there's nothing that can be done about that, but Chabad can clarify the event so that those who aren't anti-semitic can get a clearer and more rational picture. I also get that Chabad wants to be open, but it could be time to close the door just a bit - not everyone is suitable for the 770 environment, in my opinion. Many young men are too immature for 770 and just need to go out and get a job and experience in the "real" world before they are seasoned enough to handle such an intense environment. The whole Mishichist thing, I think, blows many a mind - seems so Christian at first blush, the idea of the Rebbe dying and then resurrecting and then being declared the messiah, or, alternatively, somehow being still alive, sort of like Elvis. I speculate that a bit of embarrassment is at the root of the reason for Chabad leadership not talking more openly about this story. As for the Tsfat bochurim, I get the impression on the "insider" news sites that the Mishichistim at 770 have been largely taken over by these young men, so that's probably why someone made that comment in the chat. I'm not sure how much of that is actually true, as I have no direct experience.
Hi. I don't know if you are Jewish or not. Maimonides outlined the Thirteen Principles of Faith, two of which are believing in the imminent coming of Mashiach (i.e. any minute), and also, the resurrection of the dead (the Jewish people). This has been part of the Jewish faith for thousands of years. It has nothing to do with any other religion. I hope I have clarified this.
@@alizahalon Hi. I was not raised Jewish because I'm an adoptee into a Christian family. However, my natural mother was Jewish, although she didn't know this either, because she was adopted as well, believe it or not. After her death I was able to pierce the adoption "veil" to the point where I was able to identify her natural mother, who was Jewish - in fact, I can go back four generations to Germany and Belarus on my maternal side. That makes me Jewish, and I have spent the time since then learning, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life - there is so much! I am also an observant Jew, as much as I can be with my limited background. I tell you this because I appreciate information from any quarter, so thanks for this information. However, I will say that I am familiar with Maimonides, and he indicates that there is a potential messiah in every generation and gives a list of things that allow us to identify him. I believe that the messiah can come at any moment and ask for that to happen at least three times a day in the Amidah. Certainly, I believe that the Rebbe could have been the messiah. I also know that Maimonides said that if a potential messiah were killed before building the Temple in its proper place and gathering the exiled back to Israel, he is not the Davidic messiah. I also know that there have been disagreements about the word "killed" in this context because the Rebbe died of natural causes (some believe he is still alive, actually). I am also familiar with the Jewish perspective on resurrection of the dead. In fact, I have heard a respected contemporary rabbi say that most Jews today have lived Jewish lives before now and are here to complete their individual missions. I think that idea is rather intriguing, but I don't think that means resurrection applies to a body/soul combination which has already lived and has died; rather, I think it means the soul is associated with a new body and experiences a new physical life, so even if the Rebbe were to be resurrected, he would probably not be Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory. I could be completely wrong on that though. I don't know enough to say one way or another. I do know, having spent a good amount of time with various Chabadnikim, that some believe the Rebbe will be declared the messiah, and some emphatically do not, and that, generally, the current leadership eschews this view. I also know that many Jews feel this whole idea of a resurrected messiah smacks of Christianity, and I get it - believe me, I get it. But I also know that even if it's possible that the Rebbe were to be resurrected and was declared the messiah, this would be in no way related to the Christian idea of messiah - resurrected or no, the Davidic messiah will be a man, not a godlet or 1/3 of a god. I hope that clarifies my position. 🙂 Anyway, the whole subject is fascinating and I have followed it for quite a while now. I hope we find out soon - even now, as I type these words.
Thank you for such a detailed response. Nice to know that you are a Jew. You know quite a lot. There are a couple of opinions about techias hamessim. I follow the Rebbe's opinion. Anyway, see you at the geulah.
This is the most insane thing I have seen in my 76 yrs of life. What the heck were these people doing. Bad enough the tunnels were made but then destroying insids the synogod.
Yes, it makes no sense. The tunnels were hidden behind what looked like a wooden wall, and all of a sudden they were smashing it to reveal the tunnel. Then benches were knocked over, holy books thrown on the ground etc.
Sorry to hear about the hateful comments, this story was certainly sensationalized, but it was also already a sensational story, with remarkable and compelling, sometimes very amusing video, so I’m not surprised at the level of worldwide attention. It did lead to consequences as well, with the building now closed due to safety concerns. So, I think a lot of the coverage was justified, just not the overblown, conspiratorial stuff (very unfortunate). The misreporting is regrettable as well.
The men’s mikvah has nothing to do with menstrual cycles. Why are you adding that in? It has to do with men’s ritual purification. Does baptism have anything to do with menstruation? Do you generally assume all water rituals are menstruation related?
I don't think it's a tunnel like they broke walls and used crawl spaces under the womens section bleachers. The buildings are attached,share walls, next door to each other. This is not some vast network. Just holes through walls to crawl Into the next room or building through the basement...
Hello, sweet, Frieda. I’m a 76 yr old Christian Grammy from Ohio! I appreciate your respectful way of sharing the information about your community and way of life. I’ve watched your very moving video of that get twice. What a tender way of expressing what you were feeling. I felt your heartbreak. Are Hasidic divorced women able to remarry? ❤🙏🏻
I have enjoyed listening to clips of the Rebbe for several years. He was very endearing and charismatic. Thanks for the clarification on the tunnel situation. Also, I appreciate the insight into the differences between the sects.
frieda your neshama is so pure and holy i love the way you handled this story with such honesty and grace it is such a kiddush Hashem... may you continue being a light to the nations and showing the world what it means to be a part of Am Yisrael... Hashem loves you
It seems like current Chabad members are weighing in with comments and sharing information. I still don’t understand how this went unnoticed (like wasn’t someone in charge of the synagogue?) or why it was done in the first place (expanding for what and why do it that way?) so if any current members want to share any information I would be very happy to hear what they have to say too. Very unusual news story.
@@T_WC123 I have read that the tunnels started being dug one month ago, six months ago and one month ago. My point is this didn't happen overnight and the excuse of digging underground to 'expand the synagogue' makes no sense.
Love your videos Frieda always on point with your source of news unlike many whom try to create click bait and views you tell things the way they are. Situations like these cause the little broken phone situation to go around!
Here we are in NY! Westchester County. We love you!!❤❤ Frieda, according to the news stories I saw yesterday ( Tuesday) they dug so much that 770 has now been closed until the engineers from the Bldg Department can ensure that the building is still structurally sound. These rogue guys apparently declared that the Rebbe z’l wanted 770 expanded and since- in their minds- he is Moshiach…. They should follow out his directions. It’s a crazy situation and I don’t believe that 770 has ever been totally closed down before. Your description of Chabad vs other Hasidic sects is very good. If you contact a Chabad Rabbi and ask if you can come for Shabbos dinner, you will get an invitation. You can be up front and tell them that you want to experience a Chabad Shabbos. Enjoy Boston!!
What you say about an invite to Shabbos is absolutely true. I was working on a college paper in the 1980’s and did this several times. I’m not even Jewish.
Your comments about Satmar and outreach are not my experience. I've spent considerable time in Williamsburg, Monsey, and Kiryas Yoel and found that while Chabad will 'take you as you are', Satmar will 'take you as they are'. That is, someone can attend a Chabad Shabbos service in cargo shorts and a t-shirt and our rabbi doesn't mind. Satmar, on the other hand, prefers me to have a bekishe and platchige biber hat or--on Shabbos, Yontiff, or a simcha--a shtreimel.
Thank you You make me want to visit Crown Heights one day and see all the lovely people and places. May HaShem greatly bless you. You are a great teacher. Bill. UK
LOVE LOVE LOVE ya Frieda but you don't 'expand' a complex by tunneling under the street to another building. There are legitimate, legal & literally constructive ways to do so. There's too much smoke here NOT to be a fire of some sort and I'm sure we'll find out more as the days go by, and probably only a few outliers are actually involved, hopefully. Thank you for your effort to diffuse, though. You are GREAT!
There’s a group within Chabad that believes the rebbe was and is the Messiah and he said before passing that 770 must expand and these young men are determined to fulfill his wish
Looks sketchy no matter how you try to downplay it, and calling 19 and 22 year olds “boys” just demonstrates that you are trying to manage the damage this story has caused to the whole hasid community. I have these weirdos living in my neighborhood on the LES and they are to be avoided.
More like damage to the entire Jewish community throughout the world. Are lubavitch weird? ..just as weird as any extremist religious group. Guaranteed their "tunnel" has nothing to do with the tunnels in Gaza...but that's not what all the ignorant people believe
It is funny that so many are incensed that young men are referred to as boys because this stems from a cultural misunderstanding. In the traditional Jewish world, students who continue to study at a yeshiva are yeshiva bochurim (bochers). This has long been translated as boys; before people worried about political correctness and related concerns.
@@stephenfisher3721 nobody cares, they are not “boys” they have beards. One of those “boys” that were arrested was in his late 20s . Considering that Hasidic men never stop studying their texts when are we able to consider them as actual men?
it was a nice men's mikveh 30 years ago but since its financier Zalman Gurary,A"H died it fell into disrepair. & you have it right about the meshugeneh mishichistim & the machloikes.
I’m really enjoying this discussion, but I would like it if you did a segment on rabbit Schneerson and Chabad Lobuvich and all sects of Hassidism. I would also love to know about orthodox Judaism that isn’t Hassidic. Do you think it would be a good idea if these different groups merged together as one and would that be possible?❤
It is very good of you to clarify the distinction between different movements to people like myself who are outsiders. Personally I think this issue is much ado about nothing and the comments are very often baseless malicious and politically charged. Maybe it is not a bad idea to expand the synagogue.
Greetings from central Illinois. Sorry I missed your live stream, but am watching now on this cold, snowy morning. I am always enlightened whenever I view your content.
It was so interesting to run across this tonight. I was just volunteering at a community dinner for the less fortunate at my shul, and there was an odd ( possibly mentally Ill ) guest who came up and spoke to my friend and me about a tunnel in NY . He was wearing a Chabad tshirt. We had no idea what he was talking about, but finding this video certainly suggests that must have been what he was referring to! Really fascinating that I would find this tonight!I have to say that when he said this I envisioned a Gazaesque tunnel possibly built for security!
I don't find the tunnel itself that disturbing; more unwise. What I question is the aftermath where the young men tore down walls and damaged their own building. What were they trying to accomplish by destroying the building?
I don't think that they were trying to destroy it. It's possible that they were trying unsuccessfully to begin expanding the men's section on that side of the synagogue. It's underneath the women's section which is a one story structure.
Thank you for your explanation. I was thinking, before I started to watch this, oh no not another person spreading propaganda against Jewish people. How refreshing to have things we do not understand put into context in a simple way. I appreciate it, what your doing is very important ❤
In regards to your comment about Chabad and the other Hasidic groups, usually the interactions from the secular world with the other groups is more familial, you have your way, we have our way and we act more observing when we are with them. On the other hand when we interact with Chabad we usually go to them for certain things n regards to observance (although in here there are very few, I know only of 1 family like that). It's really different.
Shalome Great content I lived in Brooklyn for 42 years Carnarsie Area Now in Tampa Florida for 20 years I used to go to a modern orthodox shul but here a Chabad shul Send Chulent and kugel I send you sunshine Have a gut shabbos and be well
Interesting video! I can't wait for your video on the Catskills! That's my home as you can see from my channel's name. I have always been curious about the Hasidic groups that come up here in the summers. I have learned so much from your videos. 😊😊
Hello everyone-
I’m traveling so I don’t have the opportunity to respond to your comments but I appreciate all of your thoughts.
In the meantime, I want to say the following:
In the last day, I have learned an enormous amount more about Chabad and heard from so many people about Chabad and this incident. There are many creases and viewpoints here. But ultimately, the story remains largely as I relayed it in the video, which is:
The chabad “tunnel” story is about an illegal expansion of the iconic 770 Eastern Parkway synagogue. When the expansion recently came to the public attention, official Chabad ordered to fill the space, and some more hot headed men tried to block the cement trucks. The cops were called, the altercations were recorded, and went viral.
The vast majority of Chabad folks I heard from are expressing most of their frustration/anger/disappointment with this cohort of men who were involved in the altercation with the cops (Called Tzfatim by many). Personally, I think this whole thing is a typical infighting drama that was turned into a sensationalist saga about trafficking and perving with clickbaity words like “tunnels” and ”mikvah” and a climate in which people love to imagine Jews in insane conspiracy roles.
The whole “bloodied mattress” thing is another example. I don’t know if people are posting about it in good faith. Have you seen the trash all around NYC? The mattress looks stained to me. Goodness knows why it was there. I think the most probable answer is squatters. I have been to 770 several times, including during high holidays, and the insanity there completely lends itself to young men finding crawl spaces to sleep in. If you visit, it looks like this entire block is essentially chabad campus with a ton of hullabaloo.
Now here’s the important part I want to say: I made this live video because I felt like I had something to say. That something was that this was about an illegal synagogue expansion, not some wild conspiracy. In a moment in which I see an enormous amount of disturbing content about Jews, I felt I owed it to the fair-minded viewers to explain the general arc of the story. However, as I said, I’m far from an expert on Chabad. I hate to feel like I’m another ‘content creator’ who jumps onto the next story mining for clicks. I hope that I am more honest than that, and that this is not where this video is coming from. But since creating a more detailed, well cited, video would have taken days, and it was important, in the current climate, to provide an explanation, I did an impromptu live. But now that I know so much more, I want to share some links here from sources that can speak a lot more effectively to the issue:
An excellent twitter thread:
twitter.com/kilovh/status/1744884820780397015
A rendering of what the additional space / aka “tunnel” would have looked like:
twitter.com/thislouis/status/1744872763754758187
A map of the area explaining a lot, like how the women’s section is an extension to the side, connecting to another building that’s the mikvah. Also helps explain why there was “digging” - because the synagogue is basement level, and to add the space under the next door building, they had to excavate the basement of the adjacent building.
imgur.com/a/nNOXnR5
Renderings of an imagined expansion which isn’t happening so far because of chabad ownership disputes:
newyorkyimby.com/2020/12/renderings-reveal-striking-expansion-of-chabad-lubavitch-headquarters-at-770-eastern-parkway-in-crown-heights-brooklyn.html
I might add links along the way in further comments. Thanks all for being kind to me.
G-d bless you, Frieda. Don’t worry about what “people” might think. Anyone familiar with your VLOG knows your intentions are honorable.
The control/ownership issues about 770 go back to after the histalkut of the Rebbe. Personally, I was close with Rabbi Yehudah Kalman Marlowe. The whole subject is nothing the Rebbe ever would have approved of or tolerated.
But this is the state of the world currently. According to the teachings of the Rebbe, not a surprise and part of “the Days of Moshiach”. As incredible as that may sound to some.
One of the last directives from the Rebbe to everyone was strive to do one more act of loving kindness. In other words, treat each other with kindness and respect. Sounds simple, yes?!
Thank you Frieda - I do think it would be informative for you to interview a Chabad woman, both to learn our views and because you’ve been interviewing almost exclusively men (Pearl the obvious exception) for quite a while. I’ve been trying to think who would be best, and it’s hard bc there are so many different viewpoints within Chabad itself. There are amazing shluchas out there who both grew up in Crown Heights and have been on shlichus for many years who could broaden your and your viewers’ perspectives. (I sent you the pic of the peyos hair gel a few weeks back on IG PM’s so I would be happy to chat further there.)
@@Dev_KG You have no idea how many women I've been trying so hard to get. But yes a chabad woman would be a great idea. The biggest issue I have with chabad ppl is asking which chabad ppl. I'm a good judge of who I want to talk to on Satmar issues but I don't have as good a feel for the right people I want to talk to in chabad. I don't want PR spin, I also don't want ex chabad disgruntled stuff. Someone honest, insightful and loving.
Love what you're doing Frieda. We need a voice like yours out there, rational and straight and just normal. In a hyper-sensationalist world that's a commodity.
Keep it up!
Exactly I’m thinking the same. We will be in touch.
It wasn't just boys involved. There were full grown men involved in that melee. A residential building that was destabilized had to be evaluated.
..."Grown men" REFERRED to as "EXTREMIST students" 😅 ACCORDING TO NEWS story ..
In Yiddish Jargon there is an often used word to describe an unmarried male.
The word is "Bucher" (בחור).
This word gets often translated in English as "Boy", although -as you mentioned- this can create confusion, as in English this word will not normally be used for an adult male.
In short:
You are right that there were full grown men there, but this fringe group (משיח'סטן) has lots of unmarried men within them (something unusual within the chasidic community), and therefore people will call them "a group if boys".
There are NO residential buildings nearby, you probably mean the offices that are above the synagogue
They look like grown men because they don’t shave. The oldest ones involved were in their low twenties and all of them were probably drunk or high
Yeah, I was gonna say, if ever there was a need for a calm, sympathetic, informed voice in this matter, Frieda is the one I want to hear from.
It is all about the stability of the building. They did not have a permit to do what they were doing. So it makes everyone including the City a bad spot so they had to do something about it. Especially if the buildings were seriously. damaged.
These "boys" are very, very lucky that the whole shebang did'nt collapse on top of them killing or seriously injuring them. They allegedly hired migrants to work at night putting the workers at risk of death or injury. How did penniless" bachelor "students without money pay migrants to work under such hazardous conditions? Curiouser and Curiouser.
I occasionally check into your channel to hear your unbiased opinions. I completely appreciate your concerns to "set the record straight". Thank you for being the shining light and clarifying so much confusion plaguing the Jewish communities.
Regardless of what they were doing, it was illegal. This is a city with rules and we all have to follow them.
Chabad is going to have to explain why a child's mattress and highchair were in the alleged male mikvah. And, why the tunnel was otherwise filthy, thus not in line with religious cleanliness rules.
@@VirtualAssistantAlana2020obviously it was a dump
@@VirtualAssistantAlana2020then everyone has to explain every bit of garbage in NYC by that logic.
@@voccsaycee30 not everyone in NYC is digging a secret tunnel to their garbage dump. Explain.
@@bonsaitomato8290who said they were building a secret tunnel to a garbage dump? There's a little garbage in a crappily expanded basement. It's not solid evidence of anything. You could never take them to trial for child trafficking with this little, meaningless evidence (but if you hate Jews, you can convince yourself it's solid evidence of sick crimes). The crime is the illegal digging. End of story.
Frida your contribution to the world’s understanding of the Orthodox is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Hashem knew exactly what he was doing when he pulled you out of the Sat Mar to be fully who you are. Yes I know this was on your own agency, and at the same time I must acknowledge the greater pattern we are all part of and cannot fully see.
Big love!
I don’t even rely on mainstream news anymore, and instead I wait for alternative explanations to come out online to get a better picture. Thanks for the clarifications. And in general your content is VERY helpful even to us non-Jewish people. It’s nice to come to a trusted site for balance and accuracy and peace and learning. So much value!
Chabad women are much more knowledgeable because the Rebbe encouraged wimen to say and study chitas(chumash,tehillim and Tanya)
on a daily basis. There are women who study other important topics, such as sefer hamitzvos, hayom yom etc. Girls in high school now learn gemorrsh too. All this is with initiative and encouragement of the Rebbe. The Rebbe would speak to the women twice a year. 1. Before Rosh Hashonah 2 during a women's convention before Shavuos. The women would come together during those times in the men's section of 770. (Of course it was vscated by the men for those two occassions).
The Rebbe is so different then other chassidic Rabbis,because he was always encoyraging women and girls to increase in learning and in doing outreach. I believe there are many female baalei tshuva today who became religious because of the Rebbe's
attitude towards women.
No question.
So true. Beautifully said ❤
Wow, finally a rational voice on this subject! Thank you! Could you please contact Tim Pool and maybe go on his show as a guest or maybe recommend someone who could? Many RUclipsrs including Tim Pool are completely ignorant on this subject and it is leading to wild speculation and antisemitism among some of the people in the comment section.
I'm not Jewish but I visited the Chabab synagogue in Brooklyn while working on a documentary. I found them fascinating!
This is NOT some small event that the evil media is spinning into a "crazy story". This community has shown us time and time again that it is their belief the rules do not apply to them. This was illegal and a huge safety risk. Just take responsibility.
My father’s side is Jewish and I have noticed obvious disregard towards the law and opinions/wants/needs of others. They just do what they think is right regardless of others. It’s a known Jewish trait. Not everyone is like that but many are.
Frieda I’ve have enjoyed your videos so far and I don’t usually publicly comment but today I MUST say that if it wasn’t for Chabad I would not be the observant, compassionate and concerned about tikune olam as I am today
Me too! My whole family became frum 30 yrs ago from the very very best loving shluchim in Fla.
So sorry about this group of bochurim that just have gone overboard and so against everything Chanad stands for
Me too. 💙💖
Thank you for taking time to do this. It’s a concerning time for Jews and I appreciate that you bring this to a wide audience in a rational manner.
Thank you for this rendering of the tunnel episode...so balanced and kind.
There is a small percentage of mentally ill people who have been allowed to do what they want in the shul for the past 20 years. Religious ferver can mask mental illness. Hopefully this will be the thing that will help the Rabbi's take control and have normalcy.
The New York Post article mentions that the Rabbis are taking action to revoke the student visas of those who participated. Kol HKavod to them. I know some other US schools who can take a lesson on how to deal with radical and unruly students.
I studied for about five months at a religious school in Jerusalem. It seemed to me that a few students were staying at the school because they could not function in the outside world. The building had many rooms including dormitories. One fellow spent hours each day kissing mezuzahs. I mentioned this to a rabbi and teacher who simply praised how pious this person must be.
I knew a woman in Jerusalem who was obsessive and compulsive but when she applied this to mitzvot, others just found her chumrot (stringencies) to be praiseworthy.
Any group needs a leader. Chabad faces some though times without a strong popular leader. It is so easy for people to claim they are following the wishes of the Rebbe.
Isn't it strange how one religion seems crazy to those of another religion? Was the founder of that religion truthful or crazy?
I appreciate your explanation of events. I don't watch the news because it is so distressing for me but "headlines" manage to seep through into my brain. I wanted to know what was going on with 770, but I didn't want to hear it from the media.Even when I was there over 45 years ago, it was SO crowded.
Thank you for this video and your voice of reason. If it weren't for Chabad, their outreach and their ahavas yisroel, so many Jews here in South Africa would not be frum. We have the most phenomenal community who accept and love all Jews. They encourage secular Jews to perform mitzvos like utting on Tefillin and hand out Shabbos candles to bring more light into our world. When my husband and I got married we did not spend one Shabbos alone during tje first year. The Chabad community embraced us and were such great role models tous as newlyweds. We follow most Chabad customs, I teach in a Chabad school and my husband, who is a rabbi will often incorporate Chabad niggunim, stories and traditions into our community. The fact that the Lubavicher Rebbe wanted his Shluchim to find every Jew on every continent was to reach out and show the beauty of Yiddishkeit, in a loving and non forceful way. We have our communities but we live in the world to be a light and beacon of acceptance, love and hope. And the world needs this now more than ever.
Agree! I have friends who grew up there.
Beautifully said..❤
❤❤❤
Every group has its role in the spiritual tapestry of the world. It seems weird chabad thinks their Rebbe is Moshiach, but if it leads to the cultivation of virtue then let people follow him until the real Moshiach lands.
@@desertprierewow they do? 😮
Thank you so much for this! When I saw news reports on this on my work PC today, my first thought was, after wondering if it was some bazaar joke, was, “I’ll bet Frieda will explain this to us”
I had heard it was a group of young students who were trying to illegally expand the synagogue for their own use and the leaders of the school were pretty pinched about it
The nine students who were arrested are 19-22.
Thank you Frieda for focusing on what you know, strange as it is to me. As one raised in the nonobservant world I have the greatest respect for Chabad who reached out to my husband and I.
I was hoping that you would touch on this story, which obviously had more to it than the crazy SM running narrative. It all makes enormous sense now. Thank you and this should be a reminder to all that most stories get twisted extremely quickly in this SM age.
Hey from Ontario, Canada. Thank you so much for all your videos
Hmmm, my church really needs more space for events outside of services, classes, ministry meetings, social and charitable gatherings. There’s a fire station next door beyond two empty lots. Maybe the men’s and boy’s ministries could come with shovels and pick axes during the night and start tunneling? That firehouse has a pretty nice social hall attached to it!
The guys who made the tunnel owe their neighbors an apology.
They owe the entire community an apology.
Thank goodness the city stopped them from doing something dangerous. That was quite the tantrum though.
They're supporting hamas by doing symbolic digging. Free Palestine....
@@gmw3083 They are certainly doing no favors to the Jewish community by causing this story to happen.
@@gmw3083 Hamas are gangsters. Hopefully within the next 5 yrs cooler heads can make a better peace agreement. The other side needs to get rid of Benny (and the Jets) Netanyahu.
I can't believe the synagogue got trashed. It was pretty shameful!!!
For sure! I should stop being shocked or surprised, but I am, when I see people that are supposedly so devout behaving like ridiculous punks.
Like that footage from Israel, where the Hasidic Jewish young men were spitting on cloaked nuns walking down the street near them. Absolutely shameful and nonsensical.
Look at Christian churches that get destroyed in Israel.
Apparently all the young men that were arrested were released Tuesday night and they were seen singing and dancing in the streets after being let out, all while blocking roads. I mean… seriously? 😒 All that digging could’ve accidentally collapsed the building + other buildings surrounding it.. which could have caused the deaths of hundreds/thousands of people. Just shameful and embarrassing. This story was all over the news outlets, and in many foreign news outlets too. I saw many videos and articles of this story in French, Spanish, Italian, and even in Korean and Japanese! I translated many of the comments and they were all quite antisemitic and plain hateful, with many people commenting conspiracy theories, which is unfortunate.
why always so much antisemitism? it's killing me
Everyone else in NYS is arrested and released immediately. It’s called “catch and release” and it’s an awful law that sends all sorts of criminals out on the streets, so sadly that’s not particular to this. Shameful that they’re out dancing and singing. This has hurt the heart of every real Lubavitcher.
Look as a Jew I was horrified by the story. The actions of these boys are a total disgrace to what their yeshivah clothing represent, and as very much an insider believe me when I say majority of our boys are very far from this. And no I don't profess to live in a perfect community, just saying that this in particular is NOT your everyday yeshivah boy.
And may I propose the idea that some - I said some - of our dear college students out on the streets violently protesting would not hesitate to do the same if they found such an act useful or relevant in any way?
I'm not out against college students either - all I'm saying is hotheaded youth are hotheaded youth wherever you go. Been around since forever.
Thank you again Frieda, for an excellent and clear coverage
Even accused murderers are often released until they’re charged. They have to judge whether the person is a danger to the community in the meantime.
PR STUNT. Chabad abandoning 770. Infamy is better than nofamy.
Do you ever worry that this might be a cult ?
Chabad is the best. My opinion they're the nicest ones of us all. So friendly and open. Major chillers.
Wonderful explanation and thanks for doing the video. I live in NYC and the stories were troubling and false. It was a gift to antisemitists. I’m grateful that you are always so honest and clear! ❤️
What is false?
@@luxpursuitspeople were alleging it was some sort of child trafficking ring. I even saw posts connecting it to Epstein, saying how it was just “1 mile” from Epstein’s NYC home. 😂
That’s so absurd, when Epstein’s place was in Manhattan so roughly 5mi but also… there are 20 million people within a few miles of Manhattan & we can’t all be connected to Epstein
The young men who were involved in the tunnel digging are minority of a minority albeit a group which has the capacity to attract much attention and notoriety.
770 I hope will undergo a total renovation in the near future to accommodate the huge crowds which arrive from the “four corners of the world” throughout the year, especially during the High Holidays.
According to the AP the tunnel was 60 ft long, 8 feet wide and connected four buildings. How does this jibe with a bunch of hotheaded young men initiating a building expansion?
This was an ambitious project that required some construction and engineering knowledge.
I hope a better explanation is forthcoming.
@@davedaves3489 Children trafficking and Organ harvesting, which if I remember you had something happened in New Jersey approximately Two years ago.
Look at Google maps and my posted google maps photo. There are several buildings pretty much connected in a cluster in that area.
As a member of the Chabad community, I think you were pretty much were on point about everything you said.
And on a different note, I've been following your videos and really enjoy your content.
Thank you Future of Goodness Kindness!
The Associated Press is reporting the tunnel is 60 feet long and 8 feet wide. The NYC Department of Buildings is saying the buildings are unstable. This sounds a lot more than a small hole punched through a foundation by pranksters. I’m sure Chabad wants to downplay it but I suspect it’s spin.
These underground spaces have always been there these passageways were part of the foundational passageways of the building and the students connected those passageways with a series of holes that were dug through a few walls that connected those passageways.
But unless the City is lying those “little holes” have destabilized the building. Perhaps if the students had some background in physics or engineering they would have known that.
I love Chabad. As a born-Jew who was raised by a Shoah survivor who wanted NOTHING to do with Judaism, it has been Chabad that has helped me come home.
As a Chabad follower I would argue that they are Hasidic , but have an outward focus on reaching secular or non affiliated Jews. They often live in small remote sparsely populated Jewish areas. Women wear wigs rather than tichels. I wear tichels and jeans and am accepted. There’s a greater degree of toleration about differences, e.g. I work full time and am a sole parent
You’ve never been to Miami. The Bal Harbor area has many, many wealthy families as well as Monsey in NY.
Tzippi I grew up in one and live in the other. I can tell you Bal Harbour (please note the correct spelling) and the surrounding areas had precisely zero frum Jews when I was growing up and it only started after the Lipskars started to really make something of it. Bal Harbour (inside the village itself) was restricted and I remember the article in the Miami Herald “Orthodox Rabbi Buys House in Restricted Bal Harbour.” When I say no one, I mean no one. This is all only since the mid 90’s. Which for me is pretty recent, since my family came to Miami Beach in 1927.
@@Dev_KG You are speaking of Rabbi Lipskar. Have you been to the area in the past 10-15 years? It is all frum. Since everyone left NYC, it is inasne!!! So is SoBe in the Frum areas.
@@Tzippi I grew up there. Yes I've been there - last time was a few months ago lol. And yes the traffic is crazy. :)
@@Dev_KG yes, I do too. I have for 20 years. I watched the whole thing grow out of proportion. I cannot believe what is getting ready to happen to the mall. We do not need another 600 apartments in the area. There’s no parking now.
Bravissima!!! Once again, this gets the record straight, not another situation of Sussanah and the Evil Judges. THANK YOU!!!
The word Christians use to describe those with a missionary zeal who do outreach of this nature is "evangelical" if it's just like the girls you describe, or the Chabad centers and houses. And you're right, Chabad has a BIG footprint!
Thank you for explaining, Frieda. As a Kansas City gentile, and having grown up with many Kansas City Jews (and feeling very concerned about my friends) my sense is that if this had happened 6 months ago, before the Hamas tunnels had been exposed, that we would never have heard about it on the international or even national level. Shalom 💙🇮🇱🤍
Thank you for covering this odd story and giving us all this context I didn’t find online. I can’t imagine how they thought they could actually annex another building by illegal tunneling but I’m more confused why wiser/older people at that synagogue didn’t stop them. I also thought it was very interesting what you said about how Hasidic women in more closed groups aren’t introduced to feminism so have a different way of thinking. That makes a lot of sense, but I hadn’t thought of that point (perhaps because I grew up familiar with feminism) and I would like to learn more about that. Thank you for the video!
I appreciate the video and actually was glad to see you had made a video (when it showed on my homepage) because I felt I could trust your perspective. The entire coverage and story has seemed so strange to me. The behavior in the videos from those in the tunnel seems to have been “explained” by the media, but the flipping of pews, interfering to some slight degree with police, chaos that was happening by all the other men - did not make sense to me. I had hoped to gain a better understanding of what that dynamic in the leaked video might have been about. Or thought maybe what was being said could have been interpreted - since it seemed like those taking those actions were upset the “extremist” were being arrested. You did not touch on that in the video, but the second part of your video did help shed light on the tension between those who may have been in the room together at the same time. That was very helpful. Though it may seem totally understandable to someone who has been to the area to think it would make sense for young men to find tunnels or go to those places to sleep to escape the craziness of a high holiday crowd - that absolutely does not track for most of us. And tunnels connecting under buildings that have no affiliation - digging and zagging all over the place - hand dug or permitted and engineered - is not an openly understood concept either. That is strange. For anyone, for any reason, to dig tunnels to connect building they do not own to other buildings they do not own is strange. The way the Jewish community is being treated, categorized, etc is just awful, and we all could do better to seek understanding rather than to throw accusations. But, somebody was up to something and I would venture to say - these somebodys were willing to dig, in the dark, underground, in secret, defend the actions, and go to jail, for what they had done. I think there is way more to this story - and also, to the reasons these individuals thought it was important enough to take such “extreme” actions to do so. That statement does not mean the reasons are dark or sinister in nature or even wrong necessarily, but these individuals sure were hiding their actions. A wise man once said “there is nothing hidden that that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open”.
Thank you for your commentary, as always. I love your outfit in this video, it looks so nice on you.
Oh thank you!
When I saw the story online I wanted to hear Ms. Vizel's perspective and here it is!
No, I haven't heard that "perverts" were trying to peek. I did hear that, as usual, Chabad decided to expand without building permits, safety, or consideration for anyone else. Very traditional.
You are being heard, Frieda!!! You're great!!
It is an illegal tunnel that may be dangerous to people who occupy structures above the tunnel. Does not conform to building codes. It's not just a 'basement' but the basement leads to the tunnel. The only topic here should be the fact that it's illegal , should be investigated, punished and corrected. You're blowing it off as if it's not a big deal. It's a big deal in terms of rendering a structure unstable that may potentially hurt others. Your thoughts?
Well if they're going to investigate punish, and fix it. then they've got to do that to the entire state of New York the entire city of Brooklyn and start making regular inspections of buildings. I don't know a single landlord or homeowner in any county that hasn't done their own work inside their house if at all possible.
It's a bunch of foolish and stupid teenagers, have you never been a foolish and stupid teenager?
Of course the city of New York needs to get a building inspector and some engineers out there and deal with it. That's not the issue here. The issue here is all the speculations of activities that make whackos and evil people drag up the old Jewish blood libel nonsense. Given everything that has happened since October 7, blood libel accusations could be life threatening to Jews right now. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_libel
The difference between an unsafe building and human trafficking is miles of tunnel long. You are welcome to say the building violations are a big deal, I have no argument with that. But that's NOTHING on the level of a pedo/perving/etc ring which is what I read on online posts that had hundreds of thousands if not millions of views.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyncrib mattresses soled with feces or blood. There need to be investigations
Thank you Frieda. Your calm, common sense approach should be the only approach. ❤
Thank you for your calm explanation. Just to comment on your last statement that Chabad didn't explain that there were no nefarious plots connected to the tunnel story. These crazy plot lines are so beyond anyone in Chabad's imagination. We all know of the group of students who believe they know better than their elders, they have been causing problems for years. They are heedless of others opinions and trample all over the majority of Chabad chassidim's feelings and decisions. That they decided unilaterally to "expand" the synagogue by digging underground, putting lives at risk and potentially destroying a synagogue building, is unfathomable and mind-boggling enough. That they had the chutzpah to physically attack those who, upon discovering the illegal excavations, were trying to repair the situation, causing them to call the NYPD for help is painful and shameful. If the press and social media wish to enjoy a field day by deliriously crafting crazy plot-lines on the backs of people in distress so be it, I unfortunately, have long lost faith in most of them.
It's true that you can be a person of great faith and a good person at the core, and still be a young'un whose prefrontal cortex still isn't fully developed so you don't always make the wisest of decisions.
Thank you Frieda ,as a non Jew i find your channel so interesting , please continue, i love it xxxx
I love that Chabad isn’t as insular as other chassidim
they are more closed-minded, though - they just pretend to be "liberal" for PR - but they basically only learn Chabad chassidus, as opposed to other chassidim who learn other chassidishe seforim and non-chassidishe seforim
As a complete outsider (irreligious non-Jew), after reading up a bit about Chabad the last couple of days, I'm intrigued about this, because I got the impression that they are extremely insular along strictly ethnic, rather than religious lines.
It made me curious about which Hasidic sects are more or less willing to engage (be less insular) with non-Jews and the rest of humanity generally.
@@Juttutin I will make a video response on my channel if you are interested
@@Juttutin On an individual level, you can find people in every Hasidic group who are more willing to engage with others, and some who are less. There is more variation than outsiders (especially those who don't live in proximity to Hasidic Jews) would imagine. But on a community level, most don't view their mission as being one of outreach, but as preserving their community. The insularity is mainly about preserving religious values. But most will be welcoming to converts (I write this as someone who converted to Orthodox Judaism). I'd also differentiate between becoming a full time member of a specific community or an occasional visitor. Both are possible, but the former can take more time to integrate due to the numerous social and cultural nuances. Also bear in mind, Hasidic groups don't view their way as being the sole way to keep Judaism, although all view Orthodox Judaism as such. So even when it comes to non religious Jews, while they'd encourage them to be Orthodox, they may not encourage them to take on their particular lifestyle and customs as it can be difficult for those not raised within such an environment.
@@elijahfish ruclips.net/video/FNOddGvJO9k/видео.html
Graceful, dignified and measured, as always. You are such a breath of fresh air! 💖
Thank you Natasha.
Thank you for this. It was certainly a wild out of character scene with the NYPD. There was a lot of lurid wild speculation on line yesterday based on mainstream scandals, including child trafficking (!)
Safe trip!!
As a Lubavitcher.
SHKOACH!!
TYSM!!!
Yup, that's the story in a nutshell.
You did a great job.
I'll just add.
These were 5-10 known mishugoim (mentally ill) literally.
The tunnel is suspected to be made during Covid when mikvas were closed.
It makes sense that the homeless or guests possibly found it.
To sleep there.
It's very normal for young men to fall asleep or sleep in 770 in general, especially after a late farbrengen.
Probably nothing nefarious was going on.
During the Jewish New Year and Tishrei holidays, 770 has 1000s coming from all over the world, especially France and Israel.
They sometimes come with no where to stay, and there's organizations that place them in homes and buildings.
I'm assuming someone brought one of those mattresses (usually old disgusting ones)
to 770 to sleep there when they found this dugout. To be able to chap a good place for the prayers.
I'd say about mishichist it's half and half.
Lol when counting Israel, France, South
America.
In the US the official heads of Chabbad like to give that narrative.
A lot of them believe not to publicize.
But according to what the Rebbe said and Chabbad Chassidic teachings,
One needs to think Moshiach can come any second so one needs to have someone in mind. That person is the Nasi Hador(Head of Generation lit). we believe our Rebbe is the Nasi, so 1+1=2.
The Rebbe is the Nasi the Nasi is Moshiach.
I am very impressed with your homework on researching what happened.
Tzfas yeshiva sends boys every year they are being blamed, but usually, the people doing these things are from a different yeshiva, and the crazies that are always in 770. Some even Americans.
Yes, a very non incident.
The whole story is exactly what Frieda said.
Young crazy men, doing silly things.
Not approved by any Rabbi or any boards of the shul on either side of the politics.
Thank you!
The Rebbe is dead and isnt the moshiach.
In the Talmud there's a whole discussion if he's from the dead...
Learn hilchos Geula and moshiach
Leave it to crazy teenage boys in NYC. I kid, but this is so needed because social media is convinced you’re trafficking people and that Judaism is about weird stuff. I don’t know much about anything here but the stuff they make up about you is insane to me.
I think you did this very well. I also agree that Chabad needs to give more information. If they are going to be so "out there" in the world - and they certainly are - they need to clarify this situation, especially for the sake of the rest of the Jewish world. I don't think they expected this to be such a big story, but it is, and, as usual, many people and organizations are using this humanizing and almost humorous story to paint a sinister picture of the Jews. They're gonna think what they wanna think, and there's nothing that can be done about that, but Chabad can clarify the event so that those who aren't anti-semitic can get a clearer and more rational picture. I also get that Chabad wants to be open, but it could be time to close the door just a bit - not everyone is suitable for the 770 environment, in my opinion. Many young men are too immature for 770 and just need to go out and get a job and experience in the "real" world before they are seasoned enough to handle such an intense environment.
The whole Mishichist thing, I think, blows many a mind - seems so Christian at first blush, the idea of the Rebbe dying and then resurrecting and then being declared the messiah, or, alternatively, somehow being still alive, sort of like Elvis. I speculate that a bit of embarrassment is at the root of the reason for Chabad leadership not talking more openly about this story.
As for the Tsfat bochurim, I get the impression on the "insider" news sites that the Mishichistim at 770 have been largely taken over by these young men, so that's probably why someone made that comment in the chat. I'm not sure how much of that is actually true, as I have no direct experience.
Hi. I don't know if you are Jewish or not. Maimonides outlined the Thirteen Principles of Faith, two of which are believing in the imminent coming of Mashiach (i.e. any minute), and also, the resurrection of the dead (the Jewish people). This has been part of the Jewish faith for thousands of years. It has nothing to do with any other religion. I hope I have clarified this.
@@alizahalon Hi. I was not raised Jewish because I'm an adoptee into a Christian family. However, my natural mother was Jewish, although she didn't know this either, because she was adopted as well, believe it or not. After her death I was able to pierce the adoption "veil" to the point where I was able to identify her natural mother, who was Jewish - in fact, I can go back four generations to Germany and Belarus on my maternal side. That makes me Jewish, and I have spent the time since then learning, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life - there is so much! I am also an observant Jew, as much as I can be with my limited background. I tell you this because I appreciate information from any quarter, so thanks for this information.
However, I will say that I am familiar with Maimonides, and he indicates that there is a potential messiah in every generation and gives a list of things that allow us to identify him. I believe that the messiah can come at any moment and ask for that to happen at least three times a day in the Amidah. Certainly, I believe that the Rebbe could have been the messiah. I also know that Maimonides said that if a potential messiah were killed before building the Temple in its proper place and gathering the exiled back to Israel, he is not the Davidic messiah. I also know that there have been disagreements about the word "killed" in this context because the Rebbe died of natural causes (some believe he is still alive, actually).
I am also familiar with the Jewish perspective on resurrection of the dead. In fact, I have heard a respected contemporary rabbi say that most Jews today have lived Jewish lives before now and are here to complete their individual missions. I think that idea is rather intriguing, but I don't think that means resurrection applies to a body/soul combination which has already lived and has died; rather, I think it means the soul is associated with a new body and experiences a new physical life, so even if the Rebbe were to be resurrected, he would probably not be Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory. I could be completely wrong on that though.
I don't know enough to say one way or another. I do know, having spent a good amount of time with various Chabadnikim, that some believe the Rebbe will be declared the messiah, and some emphatically do not, and that, generally, the current leadership eschews this view. I also know that many Jews feel this whole idea of a resurrected messiah smacks of Christianity, and I get it - believe me, I get it. But I also know that even if it's possible that the Rebbe were to be resurrected and was declared the messiah, this would be in no way related to the Christian idea of messiah - resurrected or no, the Davidic messiah will be a man, not a godlet or 1/3 of a god. I hope that clarifies my position. 🙂
Anyway, the whole subject is fascinating and I have followed it for quite a while now. I hope we find out soon - even now, as I type these words.
Thank you for such a detailed response. Nice to know that you are a Jew. You know quite a lot. There are a couple of opinions about techias hamessim. I follow the Rebbe's opinion. Anyway, see you at the geulah.
I just read this story in the NY Times and was delighted to find your video. Thanks for clarifying the information.
This is the most insane thing I have seen in my 76 yrs of life. What the heck were these people doing. Bad enough the tunnels were made but then destroying insids the synogod.
Yes, it makes no sense. The tunnels were hidden behind what looked like a wooden wall, and all of a sudden they were smashing it to reveal the tunnel. Then benches were knocked over, holy books thrown on the ground etc.
Sorry to hear about the hateful comments, this story was certainly sensationalized, but it was also already a sensational story, with remarkable and compelling, sometimes very amusing video, so I’m not surprised at the level of worldwide attention. It did lead to consequences as well, with the building now closed due to safety concerns. So, I think a lot of the coverage was justified, just not the overblown, conspiratorial stuff (very unfortunate). The misreporting is regrettable as well.
You have given a calm unhysterical review of the situation which is needed.
Thank you! Can we please have you so nicely explaining all of the insanity that gets put out there lol. Have a safe trip!
Thank you for this. Shalom from Canada. I agree they should have explained about the "tunnel" right away.
The men’s mikvah has nothing to do with menstrual cycles. Why are you adding that in? It has to do with men’s ritual purification. Does baptism have anything to do with menstruation? Do you generally assume all water rituals are menstruation related?
They were very lucky the tunnel did not collapse on them.
Ppl been digging tunnels for centuries
I don't think it's a tunnel like they broke walls and used crawl spaces under the womens section bleachers.
The buildings are attached,share walls, next door to each other.
This is not some vast network.
Just holes through walls to crawl Into the next room or building through the basement...
The former men’s Mikva is on the other side of Eastern Parkway, no so close to 770.
Its not that one.
Hello, sweet, Frieda. I’m a 76 yr old Christian Grammy from Ohio! I appreciate your respectful way of sharing the information about your community and way of life. I’ve watched your very moving video of that get twice. What a tender way of expressing what you were feeling. I felt your heartbreak. Are Hasidic divorced women able to remarry? ❤🙏🏻
I have enjoyed listening to clips of the Rebbe for several years. He was very endearing and charismatic. Thanks for the clarification on the tunnel situation. Also, I appreciate the insight into the differences between the sects.
First time viewer. I am from South Jersey. My Grandfather was from Brooklyn. My family escaped from Austria and landed there. We all eventually left
Left what?
Always great to see you Frieda 😊
frieda your neshama is so pure and holy
i love the way you handled this story with such honesty and grace it is such a kiddush Hashem... may you continue being a light to the nations and showing the world what it means to be a part of Am Yisrael... Hashem loves you
We need an ex chabad person that doesn't mind explaining the intricacies of the chabad internal workings.
We can explain without having to pass the test of eating treif or going to a movie on Shabbos, thank you very much.
It seems like current Chabad members are weighing in with comments and sharing information. I still don’t understand how this went unnoticed (like wasn’t someone in charge of the synagogue?) or why it was done in the first place (expanding for what and why do it that way?) so if any current members want to share any information I would be very happy to hear what they have to say too. Very unusual news story.
@@T_WC123 I have read that the tunnels started being dug one month ago, six months ago and one month ago. My point is this didn't happen overnight and the excuse of digging underground to 'expand the synagogue' makes no sense.
Excellent. I wondered about it. You are a great RUclipsr. I love listening to you. From Washington DC evangelical Christian.
Yes, that is what happened to me, and my Rabbi stayed in touch with me for years and I now identify as Chabad
Thank you for the update and perspective. I would like to hear more about Chabad in the future.
It is good to see and hear your videos again.
Love your videos Frieda always on point with your source of news unlike many whom try to create click bait and views you tell things the way they are. Situations like these cause the little broken phone situation to go around!
Here we are in NY! Westchester County. We love you!!❤❤ Frieda, according to the news stories I saw yesterday ( Tuesday) they dug so much that 770 has now been closed until the engineers from the Bldg Department can ensure that the building is still structurally sound. These rogue guys apparently declared that the Rebbe z’l wanted 770 expanded and since- in their minds- he is Moshiach…. They should follow out his directions. It’s a crazy situation and I don’t believe that 770 has ever been totally closed down before. Your description of Chabad vs other Hasidic sects is very good. If you contact a Chabad Rabbi and ask if you can come for Shabbos dinner, you will get an invitation. You can be up front and tell them that you want to experience a Chabad Shabbos. Enjoy Boston!!
What you say about an invite to Shabbos is absolutely true. I was working on a college paper in the 1980’s and did this several times. I’m not even Jewish.
Your comments about Satmar and outreach are not my experience. I've spent considerable time in Williamsburg, Monsey, and Kiryas Yoel and found that while Chabad will 'take you as you are', Satmar will 'take you as they are'. That is, someone can attend a Chabad Shabbos service in cargo shorts and a t-shirt and our rabbi doesn't mind. Satmar, on the other hand, prefers me to have a bekishe and platchige biber hat or--on Shabbos, Yontiff, or a simcha--a shtreimel.
My first thought that it could cause the building to collapse!
I was truly hoping you would make this video...thank you for your work and insight... :0)
The main thing I have been thinking this whole time is “what light can Frieda shine on this?” Thank you.
Thank you You make me want to visit Crown Heights one day and see all the lovely people and places. May HaShem greatly bless you. You are a great teacher. Bill. UK
Thank you my friend. It’s only a skip across the great ocean away! :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE ya Frieda but you don't 'expand' a complex by tunneling under the street to another building. There are legitimate, legal & literally constructive ways to do so. There's too much smoke here NOT to be a fire of some sort and I'm sure we'll find out more as the days go by, and probably only a few outliers are actually involved, hopefully. Thank you for your effort to diffuse, though. You are GREAT!
There’s a group within Chabad that believes the rebbe was and is the Messiah and he said before passing that 770 must expand and these young men are determined to fulfill his wish
I really, really love your glasses!
Looks sketchy no matter how you try to downplay it, and calling 19 and 22 year olds “boys” just demonstrates that you are trying to manage the damage this story has caused to the whole hasid community. I have these weirdos living in my neighborhood on the LES and they are to be avoided.
More like damage to the entire Jewish community throughout the world. Are lubavitch weird? ..just as weird as any extremist religious group. Guaranteed their "tunnel" has nothing to do with the tunnels in Gaza...but that's not what all the ignorant people believe
It is funny that so many are incensed that young men are referred to as boys because this stems from a cultural misunderstanding. In the traditional Jewish world, students who continue to study at a yeshiva are yeshiva bochurim (bochers). This has long been translated as boys; before people worried about political correctness and related concerns.
@@stephenfisher3721 nobody cares, they are not “boys” they have beards. One of those “boys” that were arrested was in his late 20s . Considering that Hasidic men never stop studying their texts when are we able to consider them as actual men?
it was a nice men's mikveh 30 years ago but since its financier Zalman Gurary,A"H died it fell into disrepair. & you have it right about the meshugeneh mishichistim & the machloikes.
I’m really enjoying this discussion, but I would like it if you did a segment on rabbit Schneerson and Chabad Lobuvich and all sects of Hassidism. I would also love to know about orthodox Judaism that isn’t Hassidic. Do you think it would be a good idea if these different groups merged together as one and would that be possible?❤
Was counting on you for this!
It is very good of you to clarify the distinction between different movements to people like myself who are outsiders. Personally I think this issue is much ado about nothing and the comments are very often baseless malicious and politically charged. Maybe it is not a bad idea to expand the synagogue.
Greetings from central Illinois. Sorry I missed your live stream, but am watching now on this cold, snowy morning. I am always enlightened whenever I view your content.
The website showing that some have ambitions to expand 770, but there's a court case around it.
www.expand770.com/
Just to note, they dug from the abandoned male mikva to the synagogue, not the other way around.
It was so interesting to run across this tonight. I was just volunteering at a community dinner for the less fortunate at my shul, and there was an odd ( possibly mentally Ill ) guest who came up and spoke to my friend and me about a tunnel in NY . He was wearing a Chabad tshirt. We had no idea what he was talking about, but finding this video certainly suggests that must have been what he was referring to! Really fascinating that I would find this tonight!I have to say that when he said this I envisioned a Gazaesque tunnel possibly built for security!
I don't find the tunnel itself that disturbing; more unwise. What I question is the aftermath where the young men tore down walls and damaged their own building. What were they trying to accomplish by destroying the building?
Just a few hot headed teens trying to stop the crawl spaces from being blocked with cement
I don't think that they were trying to destroy it. It's possible that they were trying unsuccessfully to begin expanding the men's section on that side of the synagogue. It's underneath the women's section which is a one story structure.
@@surikatz123Do you really believe it was done by hot headed young boys yet the elders just let it happen ?
@@bibsann861 it was the elders that called the cops
Thank you for your explanation. I was thinking, before I started to watch this, oh no not another person spreading propaganda against Jewish people. How refreshing to have things we do not understand put into context in a simple way. I appreciate it, what your doing is very important ❤
Thank you for shedding light on this. I was wondering what was going on.
In regards to your comment about Chabad and the other Hasidic groups, usually the interactions from the secular world with the other groups is more familial, you have your way, we have our way and we act more observing when we are with them. On the other hand when we interact with Chabad we usually go to them for certain things n regards to observance (although in here there are very few, I know only of 1 family like that). It's really different.
A very interesting story! Keep up the good work! B'H!
Love your stuff Frieda! Keep up the good work!
If you have nothing to hide, why dig secret tunnels?
because HaTorah does
not apply in Sheol ?
what did i
Win ?
:D
Shalome Great content I lived in Brooklyn for 42 years Carnarsie Area Now in Tampa Florida for 20 years I used to go to a modern orthodox shul but here a Chabad shul Send Chulent and kugel I send you sunshine Have a gut shabbos and be well
Interesting video! I can't wait for your video on the Catskills! That's my home as you can see from my channel's name. I have always been curious about the Hasidic groups that come up here in the summers. I have learned so much from your videos. 😊😊
just clicked but grateful you're covering this
Why do I feel like the media isn’t getting the whole story? Could this be related to Chabad messianic beliefs?