The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

 

At the conclusion of Parshas BaMidbar, the Torah informs us that Bnei Kehas, those who were entrusted with carrying the Holy Vessels from the Mishkan, were precluded from seeing the vessels being wrapped in their casings.

 

Rather, only after the vessels were completely covered could they arrive to carry them.

The Passuk says, “They shall not come in to see when the holy [vessels] are being wrapped up, lest they die.”

The question is obvious.

What is so egregious about the Bnei Kehas seeing the vessels being covered?

The commentators suggest various possibilities regarding why those who were entrusted with carrying the vessels were precluded from seeing them as they were being stored away.

The Seforno (1475-1549) comments that there was no special reason for precluding the Bnei Kehas from seeing the Mishkan and its vessels. Rather, he states, the issue was not in observing the holy vessels being covered but rather the potential for chaos if they were allowed entrance to the Mishkan as the vessels were being covered.

This means that, as the Seforno points out, allowing the Bnei Kehas to come as they please and when they please into the Kedusha of the Mishkan can cause chaos, as each one will be pushing the next one to fulfill the Mitzva.

Therefore, the Bnei Kehas were precluded from entering the Mishkan until after the holy vessels were secured and packed away.

 

Chaos is the opposite of Kedusha.

Sanctity and disorder are the polar opposites of each other.

 

The Kohanim may have been disappointed in not being able to catch a glimpse of the sacred vessels.

And perhaps, and most probably, only a small percentage of the Kohanim acted inappropriately in their zeal to be the first to cover the holy objects in the Mishkah. Nevertheless, only Hashem can successfully distinguish between individuals.

However, when humans have to establish guidelines for the protection of the community, these guidelines, more often than not, must be broad-stroked and across the board, as humans do not have the God-given ability to distinguish between individuals.

 

One can imagine how many of the Bnei Kehas would have felt that their denial of access by Moshe to the Mishkan was unfair; after all, why should the many be punished for the wrong-doings of the few?

 

However, Hashem, as He directed Moshe to tell the Kohanim, is teaching us that when it comes to human safety, even if it’s only a few who pose the problem if those individuals cannot be singled out or identified and vetted, then the entire group bears the consequences.

 

Chaos can never lead to Kedusha.

 

As many of you know, in the Ahavas, there has been a steady increase in the sheer number and aggressive nature of the collectors who have, until recently, frequented the Shul.

I have received multiple complaints from individuals who feel pressured and experience discomfort for being forced to “run the gauntlet” upon entering the Shul to daven.

 

The number, and often, the sheer aggressiveness of the collectors, has been a daily, discomforting experience for many.

 

I also recognize that some people feel honored and privileged to help others who they believe are in need.

There is certainly a personal sense of self-validation that comes when one gives a dollar to a person and the receiver expresses their gratitude for the donation.

Who doesn’t feel good about themselves when they help another human being? Whether they are Jewish or not, we all feel good about ourselves when we receive the proverbial “pat on the back for donating,” irrespective of whether the donation has been verified for its authenticity or not.

 

For years, I, together with the lay leadership, have spent countless hours trying to balance the presence of the collectors with the responsibility and recognition that those who frequent the Shul deserve an environment where they can communicate with Hashem in an undisturbed and meaningful fashion.

We have restricted those collectors who, in complete disregard for those who come to daven, randomly interrupted the davening with appeals and/or placed unsolicited reading materials throughout the Shul.

This was done out of respect for the davening.

Never was it meant to limit anyone’s ability to give Tzedoka.

 

There are many ways we all should and do give Tzeodka.

Tomche Shabbos of Passaic Clifton is a very worthy cause that supports Aniyei Ircha (those in need from your neighborhood), as is JFS.

 

These people, who reside in your neighborhood and need your help and who have precedence over the needs of those outside the neighborhood, never dare (out of embarrassment) stand outside a Shul and collect.

 

For years, I grappled with the balance between being sensitive to those who come to collect and maintaining an environment in the Shul where people feel comfortable and undisturbed doing what they went to the Shul to do, namely davening.

 

I received strong criticism, including anonymous emails and verbal objections, for not allowing the collectors unfettered access to the Shul during davening.

 

I was vilified by many for not allowing the collectors to roam freely in the Shul at all times, approaching those who were davening with handheld credit card readers and pages of letters in Hebrew, purporting to validate their causes.

 

Yet, I did my best to retain my composure and attempt to keep a “balance.”

I understood that many of those collecting were worthy causes and respected those who wanted to donate to them.

 

The fact that none of the collectors were considered “Aniyei Ircha”- (the poor of your city)  and that every Yom Tov, I received requests from your neighbors for funds to purchase Yom Tov foods and wondered why people from the outside were collecting and often taking in (as they have told me) on a good day, $1000 while people in our neighborhood were struggling with basic Yom Tov provisions frequently left me baffled.

Yet, I remained silent.

 

Many of my concerns, listed below, were and are deeply concerning for me:

·        The collectors have never been vetted (as other communities do) by any organization or Vaad

·        They were causing a growing and increasing encroachment on the lives of many of our Mispallelim, who feel unduly pressured and aggressively solicited by the collectors on a daily basis.

·        Female collectors would often remain in the Shul at all hours, frequently engaging in inappropriate discussions with men and boys.

 

Notwithstanding all of the above, I remained silent.

 

The fact that unvetted and too often aggressive collectors were disturbing those who wanted to daven in peace still did not prompt me to act.

 I recognized the emotional and painful reality of “how it would look” if a Shul prohibited collectors in the eyes of the community.

I realized this was a “hot-button” issue, with many having very passionate feelings in the opposite direction, and the last thing we all need is more conflict.

 

I recognized that some felt that those who came collecting were worthy of their money, and I certainly did not want the Shul to be seen as non-compassionate or uncaring towards others, despite the reservations raised by many who felt the opposite.

And therefore, to the chagrin of many, I remained silent.

 

However, all this changed last week.

 

Many parents happily send their young boys to the Shul with the fictional and delusional assumption that their children are safe there.

 

And although I cannot be everywhere at all times, I do take very, very seriously the safety of our children.

Indeed, my advocacy over the years on behalf of vulnerable children has brought me death threats and an attempt on my life.

It has brought emotional pain to myself and my family.

However, I have always felt the abuse I suffered, as painful as it was, was worthwhile as long as the safety of our children would not be compromised.

And although I was harassed and attacked, our children’s safety was and is my primary concern.

 

It was the violation of our children’s innocence that finally compelled and propelled me to take action.

Last week, a clearly unstable gentleman who was collecting decided to hold court in the Shul lobby.

According to eyewitness accounts, he discussed with a large group of boys salacious and very inappropriate topics.

However, much more alarming was that he made physical and violent threats to individuals in the Shul, and most worrisome, his threats involved harming and violating female family members of the boys.

An onlooker thankfully called one of the lay leaders, and unfortunately, police involvement was needed.

 

A situation now exists where, while recognizing that this one unhinged collector is not necessarily indicative of all collectors, there is a potential danger in allowing unfettered access by collectors to the Shul.

 

Therefore, after the events of last week, coupled with the growing chorus of those who felt infringed upon on a daily basis, a decision was reached in consultation with the lay leadership and security professionals.

 

The very painful decision was reached to preclude entrance to Shul property by anyone collecting or soliciting funds.

This decision was not reached without considerable thought, pain, and extensive deliberation.

Hours and hours were spent deliberating over this painful issue, and whoever is not involved in the complexity of the dilemma can never truly appreciate the gravity and necessity of the decision.

However, even after all the deliberations and painful discussions, I still did not make this decision on my own.

 

Only after multiple discussions with Mori V’Rabi, HaGaon Harav Yaakov Bender Shlita, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, and a man who represents true Daas Torah was the final policy approved.

HaRav Bender Shlita was unequivocal in his support and in his insistence that this policy must be implemented.

 

I recognize that there may be opposing views, and as always, I respect these views (as long as they are expressed civilly).

Nevertheless, after considerable deliberation and:

·        With the recognition that our children were faced with threats of physical violence

·        With the recognition that, for many, the Shul was being “overrun” by outside individuals whose conduct was becoming increasingly aggressive, even sometimes bordering on harassment.

·        The inability of the Shul to filter, vet, or be selective in who can enter.

·        Consultation with security experts, including local law enforcement.

And finally, most crucial:

·        The unconditional support and encouragement of Daas Torah-

 

The decision was adopted with much pain to establish the Shul policy of prohibiting access to collecting on Shul property.

 

Of course, we encourage all to give Tzedoka and follow the guidelines of Chazal, which state that the “poor of your community have priority.”

And, of course, there are countless ways to help others, both here and in Israel.

However, in consideration of all the above factors, the painful yet necessary decision was made.

 

I ask for your cooperation.

I respect other opinions who will disagree.

However, I hope you will afford me and the lay leadership of the Shul the same respect and recognize that this decision was made with much deliberation, careful consideration, and, most importantly, with Daas Torah.