The Disgrace of the Torah

Kikar HaShabbat:

Hundreds of Breslov Chassidim gathered last night (Tuesday) at the central 'Shul' of the Chassidus in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem for a protest rally following what was defined as an assault on the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Kramer, after his shtreimel was knocked off his head.

After suspicion was directed toward the youths of the "Shuvu Banim" community, the community's leader, Rabbi Eliezer Berland, ordered that whoever harmed Rabbi Kramer must apologize to him. He also instructed his followers to participate in the protest gathering, the location of which was kept secret until hours before the event.

During the gathering, which elements within Breslov attempted to turn into a rally against Rabbi Berland, a massive riot developed on the scene between the rival camps. Dozens of security guards, some apparently members of minority groups, were invited by the organizers to maintain order. At the same time, members of 'Shuvu Banim' also brought security guards on their side, due to fear of violence against their people, and thus a violent commotion and a brawl involving many participants developed very quickly.

The commotion included violence, the throwing of objects, and even the setting of cars on fire. The police arrived at the scene with large forces and worked to restore order. One of the patrol cars sustained damage and its window was smashed.

An *avreich* (young married Torah student) who was present claimed that "during the brawl, the Arab security guards hired by the opponents of Rabbi Berland began to wreak havoc in the synagogue and shove the members of Shuvu Banim."

A source within Shuvu Banim related that "The Rav gave an explicit order to join the protest regarding the disgrace of Rabbi Kramer, even though he is among his [The Rav's] opponents. To our sorrow, a calculated maneuver was performed here by the opponents of Rabbi Berland, who initiated a planned provocation to destroy the synagogue with Arab security guards and thereby slander Rabbi Berland."