According to Chabad spokesman Rav Menachem Brod, the situation regarding the Ramat Aviv Mall simply got out of hand. Rabbi Brod spoke with Kol Berama Radio host Mordechai Lavi. Following his interview is the mall’s spokesman, Roni Rahav.

Regarding the mivtzo’im of Chabadnikim to get people to put on tefillin, R’ Brod stated the Rebbe was very clear and people should not annoy others while trying to persuade them to put on tefillin, but to act passively and trying to persuade them without annoying them, “דרכי נועם”.

Regarding the mall incident involving Rav Schneur Schneerson, “someone got carried away or perhaps both sides. This includes one of the shluchim and the mall on the other side”.

When asked to comment on the video, Brod stated that regarding one of the Chabadnikim involved there have been complaints addressing his aggressive well-intentioned approach, admitting that due to his actions some who would not otherwise put on tefillin did. Nevertheless explained Brod, Chabad officials have spoken with him, trying to show him that he must tone down the approach, directing responsibility to Chabad officials in Ramat Aviv.

KB:

How often do you find the shluchim who try to get others to be mekayem mitzvos are the subjects of complaints?

R’ Brod:

Usually, this is not the case but that is not to say that it does not happen. If this occurs, that one becomes annoyed, we simply say “excuse me” or “I am sorry” and get on with the day. This however is the exception, not the rule. The rule is that even if one does not agree to put on tefillin, the encounter should remain positive and he should still leave with a good memory despite not wishing to comply with a shaliach’s request.

KB:

Perhaps his (Chabad Shaliach) presence in the mall outside the shul led to complaints.

Ravhav:

The situation is not what it appeared and the situation appears to be out of proportion.

KB:

Was a directive given that chareidim should not be permitted in?

Rahav:

It is not so

KB:

How can this be? We saw the video and heard the guards.

Rahav:

I do not wish to get into it. The mall respects everyone, frum and otherwise. We must all respect the way of all shoppers.

KB:

Your message is that we respect everyone and ignore the video. It is not real. Someone tampered with it.

Rahav:

It could be the guard knew what was taking place and went along.

KB:

Please, he said that he received a directive from above

Rahav:

The mall is and remains open to everyone without exception and that person said what he said but the case is what it is, a shomer shabbos mall that respects shabbos and all people, frum, chareidi, non-frum alike.

KB:

I must say that your opting to respond as you do, highlighting shabbos and the like is welcome and accepted.

KB:

Tell me, honestly speaking. How much do the Chabadnikim really strike a nerve with the Tel Avivians, those who fly their secularism proudly? When they must confront it on their turf?

Rahav:

I must say that at the end of the day, we are all Jews and Israelis and therefore tefillin and a shul does something good for all of us. I say let everyone live his life and permit others to live, from all walks of life, regardless of what that is. As long as you respect others, this permits us to coexist in a democratic country.

Rahav went on to explain the mall is shomer shabbos and it hosts a magnificent shul, showing that kiyum mitzvos is important and hosting a shul for minyanim and putting on tefillin is a priority, for as long as this takes place in the shul, and not bothering shoppers in other areas of the mall.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)