Reading the warning from Flatbush Shomrim on YWN about rowdy bochurim causing trouble during Simchas Beis HaShoeva in Crown Heights got me thinking – this issue isn’t unique to Crown Heights. Every major Simchas Beis HaShoeva, including in Yerushalayim, suffers from people trying to disrupt the event instead of being part of it.
As a Karlin-Stoliner chossid, I can attest that our Simchas Beis HaShoeva is an unforgettable experience, steeped in ancient niggunim and a powerful sense of achdus through dancing. Unfortunately, each year, a few bochurim arrive just to cause a scene, disrupting the flow of the otherwise beautiful and meaningful event.
This problem isn’t limited to us. Toldos Aharon and Toldos Avraham Yitzchak face similar issues, despite their clear, respectful rules like no smartphones, which visitors often ignore. These disruptive behaviors ruin the atmosphere for the rest of us, who wait all year for the joy of Sukkos.
I’m writing to ask that we all be more considerate. Simchas Beis HaShoeva doesn’t need added chaos—it needs respect. Don’t make a matzav, be a part of the matzav, and not the one who disturbs it. Trust me, it’ll be far more fulfilling.
Sincerely,
K.S.
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4 Responses
The Flatbush shkutzim aren’t no “buchurim”.
I like how the poster seemingly compares bringing a smartphone to punching a cop.
Of course this whole issue demands an answer to the question, when does a ruchniyos event become a chillul Hashem and thus we are better off not having the event in the first place?
I can’t help but wonder whether part of the problem is teens seeing some of our adults acting with entitlement &/or arrogance towards the police (really any type of Non-Jewish authority). The common theme among many “from our tent” is the attitude that we live by a different set of rules &/or can do whatever we want. When our kids see one of us defiantly breaking the law & antagonizing the police getting arrested & the community response is for a crowd to gather & call the cops “Nazis!” what do our kids learn?
I can think off the top of my head of several instances like this.
What behavior are adults modeling when a group with snarky smiles are outright lying to the “Stupid Goy” & proud when it works?
Why kids are interested in showing up & making trouble is something we need to look into. But why our teens think they can get away with commiting crimes (especially violence against the police) I posit is at some level the adults fault.
Rebbitzen Goldenpickanicerscreenname, you owe an apology to the Flatbush community.