Following major renovations to improve accessibility at the Ohel ahead of Gimmel Tammuz, a metal divider was now installed to more clearly separate the areas for men and women inside the Ohel itself.

By Anash.org reporter

Following major renovations to improve accessibility at the Ohel ahead of Gimmel Tammuz, as reported by Anash.org, an additional metal divider was now installed to more clearly separate the men’s and women’s areas inside the Ohel itself.

Until now, the Ohel had only one divider near the entrance doors. However, in light of the growing influx of visitors – hundreds of men and women who come daily to daven – it was decided to add a second divider opposite the first.

It should be noted that in the past, there were several attempts to install full mechitzahs both inside the actual Ohel and in the preparation tent.

In 5761, in response to a query posed by Agudas Chasidei Chabad (Aguch), who is responsible for the setup at the Ohel, Lubavitch rabbonim from across the world penned responsa on the need to install a proper mechitza at the Ohel. Signees included Rabbi Dovid Schochet, Rabbi Moshe Landau, Rabbi Zelig Sharfstien, and yblc”t Rabbi Leibel Schapiro, Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, Rabbi Ezra Schochet, Rabbi Yekusiel Farkash, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, Rabbi Chaim Shalom Deitsch, and many more. Mashpiim R’ Zalman Gopin and R’ Fitche Ofen also joined the call.

A dedicated publication called Kedusha Hareu’ya Letziyun by Rabbi Yechezkel Sofer of Yerushalayim elaborated on the requirement for a kosher mechitza between men and women in this holy place.

However, these efforts faced resistance from some, who argued for the need to preserve the Ohel’s original design and structure as established by the Rebbe, as well as the arrangement as it was before Gimmel Tammuz, when the Rebbe himself visited the Ohel.

Others counter, however, that the use of the Ohel today is radically different than as it was before Gimmel Tammuz – when chassidim rarely visited the Ohel – and suitable updates are appropriate. They point to the various adjustments made to the Ohel and the surrounding areas to accommodate the crowds, including the recent cutout in the structure of the Ohel.

The lack of a mechitza at the Ohel has also caused fallout regarding mechitzos in holy settings. During a time when proper mechitzos at the Kosel were a hot debate, opposers used a picture of Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef davening at the Ohel without a mechitza. Knowing the Rebbe’s strong push for mechitza wherever men and women gather regularly, it would seemingly be right to give the Rebbe that same standard.