Slow Changes in Chassidic Society

B"H

At the Shabbat meal last night, a chassid told us that the rebbes of the two chassidic groups Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and Toldot Aharon are back in town. Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn from Avraham Yitzchak had been to Beit Shemesh for quite a while. Within the past few years, the town of Beit Shemesh became something like the new Diaspora for many Haredim including chassidic groups. Especially newly married couples cannot effort living in Jerusalem anymore. And Mea Shearim might look neglected and full of garbage in the streets, however, it is actually very expensive to live there. On the other hand, Beit Shemesh is spacey and cheaper.

After the meal we decided to go to Chassidut Dushinsky first instead of running after Toldot Aharon and Avraham Yitzchak. We arrived rather early and there was nothing going on at Dushinsky. Never mind, we went a few meters further to Chassidut Kretchnif. Although Kretchnif has a large building right across Chassidut Karlin, inside it is quite small. When we arrived, the door to the women's entrance seemed to be closed but we were lucky. Kretchnif had a Tish and the rebbe was already in the middle of eating his "Gefilte". Kretchnif is always a good and popular place to go to and what I like most is the family atmosphere. Everyone is welcomed and the rebbe is encouraging anyone to sing and participate. This is a great advantage of smaller groups.

We stayed for an hour or so and enjoyed ourselves. However, we wanted to continue and kept on walking to Mea Shearim Street. Unfortunately, there was nothing special going on at Shomrei Emunim. It is always so funny when Chassidim pass by and just open the front door to the Shomrei Emunim synagogue. They look inside and ask: "Is there a Tish" ? No, okay, and they shut the door. In case there is, the synagogue is packed with people.
The Shomrei Emunim Rebbe lives in Bnei Brak and, therefore, not too many Tishes take place in Jerusalem. But if so, people just storm inside.

We decided to go to the Slonim. What else is there and we discussed all the possibilities, Jews have in New York. Probably at each corner a different Tish takes place. In Jerusalem we are limited which is really a pity. Especially the Holy City should have more events of this kind.

We passed the Great Breslov Synagogue and walked up to the Slonim. On our way we suddenly heard a great chassidic song sung by hundreds of loud voices. Wow, we thought, this must be Avraham Yitzchak. Who else ?

No Tish at the Slonim and we ran over to Avraham Yitzchak were the walls were already shaking. Avraham Yitzchak is our personal number ONE Tish in Mea Shearim.

The main reason for their enthusiastic Tish is definitely Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn. He was eating his chicken soup and conducting the Chassidim with his spoon. This is what he likes most: eating and singing. We had not seen him for a few months and in my opinion, he put on some weight. Never mind, he was in a good mood.
What caught our eye was that when he went out to the restroom, one of the Chassidim took his hand and helped him leaving. As we had never realized this before, we thought that he might not be too well. Today however, a chassid told us that they always lead him out this way and that he was fine. Well, I really hope that the rebbe is okay.

Hundreds of people were participating in the Avraham Yitzchak Tish. Also the womens' section was crowded but after a while we were lucky and found two seats. Some female members offered us some soda water and it is always easy to talk to the younger women.

I have read it on the Internet but we have also realized it "life" that a certain amount of young Avraham Yitzchak women try to be more modern. The same with Toldot Aharon but a little less obvious and more carefully.

It does not mean that the women try to run away from certain group traditions or their Takanot (internal laws). Just the opposite, they want to be group members but start changing a few strict laws. Maybe too strict in their eyes.

Members of such societies cannot just start changing traditions and have to be careful. So, what they usually do is start changing little things such as the head covers (Yasameh). Some of the women still wear the most modest kind, the Yasameh covering the neck and going down until the chest. However, I would say that the majority does not wear this kind of long head cover anymore. Half of the other women do cover their necks but many of them just wear a simple Yasameh which does not totally cover the neck.

As in every society, you can find different people and different groups sticking to each other. And it is almost impossible to keep up all the strict laws forever.

You do not have to change the whole society but in order to make women more comfortable and accepted, men should not be afraid of accepting slight changes.