In light of the many guests visiting Crown Heights for Tishrei, and in response to new and misleading advertisements suggesting the existence of a new “kosher eruv,” Crown Heights Rabbonim Harav Avraham Osdoba and Harav Yosef Braun reiterated the longstanding psak halacha on the matter.

While the fraudulent “eruv” was immediately denounced by the rabbonim, the instigators have sought to undermine the rabbonim by publicizing misleading and even false notices to trick unknowing guests.

Last Tishrei, the group circulated Hebrew papers in Rubashkin’s sukkah claiming that the “eruv” was sanctioned by the Rebbe. This year, they ran ads in print and online claiming that the “eruv” is kosher – and mehudar! To top that, the instigators have told individuals and rabbonim from other communities that the Crown Heights rabbonim now support the “eruv.”

To counter these deceptive claims, the rabbonim reissued a letter on the topic in which they reiterate that it is halachically forbidden to carry on Shabbos and Yom Kippur in Crown Heights. Regardless of a “new and improved eruv,” the Rabbonim stress that the halacha is unchanged.

The rabbonim also took to task business owners who are complicit in sin by advertising the fraudulent “eruv.” One should not support or assist those who act against the teachings of the Torah and the clear directives of the Rebbe.

It should also be noted that Crown Edition, which had run the ad, told Anash.org that they were misled and tricked into running it. They have retracted from it and will be running a correction.

The following is the full text of the letter (free translation):

Friday Parshas Vayelech, 5786

To Remove a Stumbling Block

Dear Residents and Visitors of the Shchuna שיחיו

In light of misleading advertisements, we would like to  publicize again the ruling that was previously given:

On Shabbos Kodesh and Yom Kippur, it is absolutely and categorically forbidden to carry in the streets of Crown Heights and its vicinity.

Anyone who promotes otherwise is causing the public to sin by desecrating Shabbos and violating the psak-din and explicit instructions of the local rabbinic authority.

Since these advertisements can cause confusion among guests and others, the responsibility lies with business owners not to lend a hand to those who go against the teaching of our Torah, Toras Chaim, Heaven protect us. 

Those who listen will be blessed.

With blessings of Chasimah v’Gmar Chasimah Tovah.

/signed/

Horav Osdoba 

Horav Braun

P.S.

It should be noted that, as is well known, the Rebbe never agreed to the establishment of an eruv in our neighborhood, and in general to publicizing the erection of an eruv in large cities, and “who can come after the king?”. It has also been made public the psak din of the great Rabbonim and foremost by Hagaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstien Ztz”l “that it is forbidden to establish an eruv in any neighborhood in New York and Brooklyn, and there is no heter whatsoever for this, and even if an eruv would be established there, it is forbidden to carry in it.”

Therefore, those who encourage carrying on Shabbos in our neighborhood, in addition to rebelling against the local Beis Din and the great Rabbonim who had paskened as such, they are first and foremost rebelling, Heaven protect us, against the position  and instructions of the Nosi Hador.