The Batei Warsaw quarter in Mea She'arim was built in the Ottoman period as a hostel for yeshiva students from Poland. Their families receive tiny apartments for key money or low rent. The Polish Gerrer dynasty, which always had people in the neighborhood committee, has gained almost complete control of it in recent years and is now planning to expand the quarter.
Although they do not recognize the state or its institutions, the Batei Warsaw tenants, most of whom belong to other ultra-Orthodox factions, have filed a court suit to stop the Gerrer Hasids' expansion. This move is believed to have sparked the recent hostilities.
Nobody was surprised by the attack this week. A week and a half ago vandals spread glue on Gerrer Rabbi David Alter's door, preventing him from going out to Hoshana Rabbah prayers. Everyone knew the Gerrer Hasids were out for revenge.
Another example of how being frum and being a decent human being have nothing to do with one another.
ReplyDeleteAs I was leaving shul last Shabbos around the Geula area, I was warned by someone to find a different route as there was "rioting" going on on Rechov Malchei Yisrael. I kept to the side streets as I normally do and could here the noise of whatever was going on till I got much further away from Kikar Shabbos. I asked someone along the way what was going on, he mentioned something about Batei Varsha. I laughed and kept on walking...
ReplyDeleteMy Great Uncle is a resident there. He's an alter yerushalimer yid and keeps to himself.
Hashem should help everyone.