NEW YORK (VINnews) — Members of the Biale shul in London were stunned to discover one recent morning that the handles on the windows had been torn off and thrown on the ground. Surveillance cameras showed that the vandalism had been perpetrated by a local avreich [married person] who entered during the night and broke the window handles.
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The avreich is not a resident of the neighborhood but his parents live adjacent to the shul,which was built with large windows overlooking their house.
The avreich released a threatening voice message to gabbaim in the shul in which he explained why he had broken the handles and threatened to “give 24 hours to remove sefarim and burn the shul down” if his demands were not met. The avreich said that “Whenever I come to visit my parents for shabbos, I hear my mother saying how much pain and humiliation she suffers when members of the shul can look straight into her kitchen and salon. You promised to fix the issue and place special shields on the windows but you didn’t keep your word and only fixed the first floor. I’m not afraid of anyone, of any police, Honor Your Mother and Father is more important than anything else.”
After police received the surveillance materials and began to investigate the incident, the Admor of Biale-London told his gabbai to withdraw the complaint against the avreich despite the damage he had caused. The rebbe also ordered all of the windows to be covered in order not to cause damage and distress to people around the shul.
How about this headline:
“Rebbe of Biala Shul in London Orders Windows Covered to Protect Privacy of Neighbor”
I guess that would NOT generate a lot of clicks.
good choice by the Rebbe of the shul. why should a shul be above the law. if mesirah is prohibited then its prohibited for a shul too. if placing windows right across your neighbors windows is against halachah then a shul should also be prevented from doing it.
its just unfortunate that the neighbor’s son had to take extreme measures and create negative publicity (which should not be condoned) to make the shul come to their senses and do the right thing
VERY NICE reaction by the Rebbe, avoiding a Chillul Hashem. Maybe he could train some of his colleagues….other Rebbes.
Now that’s a real rebbeh!
It’s sad that this is what it took to have them cover the windows
Whatever happened to ma tovi oihulechoo Yaakov? The issue of building large structures with windows facing opposite those who already live in the vicinity is absolutely disgusting. Thisis currently happening all the time and numerous people are suffering because of this. It is not menchlich and not Yiddish. Many people have a shvere hartz on builders and neighbors.
The Rebbe acted very decently in this case.
this is a clear choshen mishpat ruling in nizkei shehainim – hezek reiyah…obviously the neighbor relationship soured until both sides feel we have nothing to lose we hate each other anyway..but now its a win win the windows are covered the son feels he did all he can … one will notice that sometimes a wild or bold move gets things straightened out
Now why wasn’t gust done immediately
Kudos to the avreich for taking necessary, if difficult, action to right a egregious offense. And kudos to the Rebbe for doing what needed to be done, even if belatedly.
Bravo to the Rebbe for doing the right thing!
Kol hakovod !! Unfortunately people are very stringent in some part of the torah and lax in other. Very frum in levush kashrus and whatever they choose. And are very lax in monetary halochos like paying their debts or building into other peoples property.
Congrats to the rav for correcting and show true leadership.
Shuls and and Religious institutions must have some checks and balances, they do whatever they want.
Yeshivas accept and reject without mercy, tuitions are raised without oversight and fancy multi million dollar buildings are purchase and built without consideration to the parents of schools or neighbors.
They need to be held accountable once and for all.
The young man accomplished his goal
kol hakavod to this thoughtful admor. he truly deserves respect for his consideration of others.
I am from Brooklyn, but often visit London and Davening in the beautiful Biyalla shull From the experience I had with the Raba I know the his life is devoted to a lot of חסד בגוף ובממון
Are window shades not available over there.
The Rebbe WAS NOT, I repeat, WAS NOT aware of this situation because the Gabbai originally thought this issue will resolve itself, so why bother the Rebbe with this. Unfortunately, this escalated, as per the video and the Rebbe was told the details thereof. At that point the Rebbe instructed the Gabbai et al not to press any charges against the avreich and additionally to cover up the windows on all the floors that have a direct view in to the neighbors kitchen etc.
Now that’s a Rebbe !!!
Reb Shmaya Lev
A RODEF SHOLEM !!!
Ruby was correct in noting that this is in Hilchos Shechainim, and is called hezek re’iyah. We have a question here, not exactly chicken-egg. Which came first, the home or the Shul? The second one to build has the responsibility here, whoever that is. The avreich has the obligation to reimburse the Shul for the damage done. Even with a valid complaint, he is not exempt from responsibility over damage he committed.
Causing damage to the Shul is unacceptable.
The avreich could have liaised directly with the Rebbe and the matter would have been resolved swiftly and satisfactorily. The Rebbe owns and funds the shul. He is known for his chessed and caring heart towards every yid
Vandalism has no place and certainly not in a makom Torah V’Tefilla.
There is a yiddishe way of handling such situations. The son should have called the shul to din torah to force the shul to do what is required.
Tam Biale voyeur Toms
It took vandalism to get these people’s attention. Sad.
BAD LANGUAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The matter should have been taken care of to begin with !!!!
So nice of you that you are not filing a complaint !!!!
REALLY
SUCH A CHILUL HA SHEM BY NOT RESPECTING OTHER PEOPLE !!!
YOUR PRAYERS IN THAT SHUL WERE NEVER ACCEPTED SINCE YOU CAUSED SUCH AGGRAVATION!!!
DOES THAT MAKE YOU HOLY?
YOU CAUSED SOMEONE TO ACT LIKE A GOY!!!!
YOU WONDERFUL ZADDIKIM !!!
YOU ARE SO PROUD OF YOURSELVES.
YOU SHOULD TRULY BE ASHAMED.
NEBECH
just curious
Why couldn’t that son just install window shades for his mom?
this is the definition of giving in to terrorism.