Antwerp police officers raided a Belzer maariv minyan on Tuesday night, B’Chadrei Chareidim reported.
According to Belgian law, only gatherings of up to 17 people are currently allowed. The number of mispallelim at the minyan was only slightly above that number but the police recorded the personal information of all the mispallelim and each will be sent a fine of 250 euros.
“There were mamash just a few people – all wearing masks and socially distancing as required,” one of the mispallelim told B’Chadrei. “The police are extremely stringent here. There’s someone here who simply is malshin to the police every time and they come and fine us.”
This past Friday night, the police also raided the Belz shul and recorded the personal details of all the mispallelim.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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17 Responses
There’s someone here who simply is malshin to the police every time and they come and fine us.” ולמלשינים אל תהי תקווה
Just about no other Aveiroh is going to carry such severe divine retribution. גדול עוונו מלנשוא
Hey, @DrYidd, I’m waiting for the V’Lamalshinim…
“According to Belgian law, only gatherings of up to 17 people are currently allowed. The number of mispallelim at the minyan was only slightly above that number but”
No, no but. If the law is up to 17 people it doesn’t matter if it was slightly above or a lot above. If the number of mispallelim were under the limit and still got ticketed then it’s newsworthy.
These are bizarre times and totally stressful situations. But if there is a law, how can we keep crying wolf if we don’t abide by it? Seriously wake up they didn’t follow the law whether we agree with it or not. And no I don’t agree with those senseless unproven “science” facts. But if it’s the law what choice is there.
With all respect, given the tensions over Covid in the EU, is it so difficult for the Belzer chassidim to count to 17 and at that point, politely ask any late-comers to leave the building? Why do some yidden feel an entitlement to skirt the rules, even by a “slight amount”?? We don’t need to continually provide these episodes in place where there already are anti-semitic stereotypes.
@rightwriter , @Gadolhadorah
Had you been in Germany in 1940, you would’ve been amongst those complying with/foisting the Nazi rules onto your ‘brethren’. YM”Sh to the lot of you.
Who are you to deny the right of any individial to come daven ?
look how respectfully the police gave out the fines
no beatings, not arrests, unlike in another country I know
I respect all Chassidim very much and I respect all non-Chasidim very much. Every single Yid is Hashem’s special beautiful child. I truly feel bad for the people in that Shul that there max is 17.
I guess we are being reminded again what HaRav Yaakov Kamenetsky
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
advised us that when we are living in a foreign country, please do not wear your Tallis on top of your clothing outside. We are only guests over here. We have to behave like a true guest. It hurts, but this is the truth and maybe we should cry to Hashem to send us Mashiach ASAP.
There is not and never has been any Corona in Belz. Like so many others Belz thinks it is above the law. What are they complaining about? Surely someone in the minyan knew how to count up to 17.
@R R R: Right on!
You live in one of the most antisemic countries in Europe. You know that, and yet you go ahead and break their rules!
Why a surprise?
“Had you been in Germany in 1940, you would’ve been amongst those complying with/foisting the Nazi rules onto your ‘brethren’.”
Shady: One of your dumbest and disrespectful comments to the kadoshim from the Shoah. The covid rules knowingly violated by these Belz chassidim apply to ALL PUBLIC GATHERINGS including Church services, not just chassidish minyanim. If the Belz believe they are being targeted by the government, they can buy a ticket and fly to EY, an option not available to yidden in 1940. The comparison is beyond stupid. As others above have noted, given the circumstances, just count to 17 and lock the door to the shul. If you don’t like the rules, daven b’yachid or make aliyah.
Look, when we drive there is a speed limit. Let’s say it is 55 mph. If you are driving 56 or 58 mph, you are technically breaking the law. But you will NEVER get a ticket for “speeding” if you are just a bit over the speed limit.
That was the moshol.
The nimshal: If the rules are a maximum of 17 people and there are one or two or three more, the police should look away and go after real rule breakers, not just those that technically broke the rules. Unless they are looking a catch the Jew.
I noticed that some of the comments here are very nasty, wild and extremely offensive.
Please let us not forget the story of Channa and Penina. Even though she meant
לשם שמים
the punishment was a real serious blow. I am afraid to spell out the exact details of punishment.
Maybe ask your friend (if you have one) to fill in the details.
Do we want another Holocaust????
They are not denying the right to daven in shule with a MInyan. Just keep to a specific number. So make a mInyan every 15 minutes and stick to the number. Maybe have people register for a specific Minyan so there is no overcrowding. For MIncha and Maariv people can even make Minyanim in private homes. We can daven and follow diinna dmalchusa and make a Kiddush Hashem all at the same time….. and also save a lot of YIddishe gelt for the right purpose.
Belgium does not need to be given more reasons to despise the Jews of Antwerp
@DrYidd: I hope you saw my first comment above (regarding you); it’s the second comment from the top. Well, we certainly see where you stand. V’Lamalshinim indeed.