A powerful new ruling has sent shockwaves through the city of Bnei Brak, as leading rabbinic authorities have declared that renting apartments in the new “Supermarket Complex” neighborhood in the northern part of the city to individuals who are not chareidi le’dvar Hashem (devoutly observant) is strictly forbidden.
In a strongly worded letter published in recent days, prominent poskim of Bnei Brak expressed concern over developments in the new neighborhood, where, due to difficulty in finding tenants, some property owners have begun renting out their apartments to individuals who do not conform to the religious character of the area.
The letter, authored by Rav Moshe Shaul Klein, rav of the Or HaChaim neighborhood in Bnei Brak and a leading posek, states unequivocally: “There is a severe prohibition against renting — all the more so selling — to those who are not chareidim le’dvar Hashem.”
The letter continues with an urgent call to action: “It is the obligation of every individual to protest those who breach the boundaries in this matter, for it is a matter of life to us.” The rabbonim further clarified, “One need not be concerned about halbanas panim (embarrassing others) or similar considerations in this context.”
Joining the ruling are additional leading rabbonim, including HRav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, rav of the western Bnei Brak neighborhood, and Rav Menachem Mendel Lubin, who added: “This must be absolutely avoided, as the matter is clear and simple, and one must stand firm on this.”
Residents of the neighborhood, including many who acquired homes through Israel’s subsidized housing initiative Mechir LeMishtaken, hope that this halachic ruling will strengthen the Torah character of the community and ensure that new residents align with the spiritual and communal standards expected in the “City of Torah and Chassidus.”
The neighborhood already hosts a thriving cheder serving the general Chassidic population, which has seen great success since its opening at the beginning of the year. Additional educational institutions are expected to open in the coming school year, serving a range of groups and communities. There are also five functioning batei knesses and daily kollelim for yungeleit.
{Matzav.com Israel}