New York, NY – “We go out there like soldiers, with a mission to conquer the world with light, with goodness, with kindness,” said Yishai Eliefja, 23, a Hasidic Jew who works for the Chabad Lubavitch’s “mitzvah tanks,” or “synagogues on wheels.”
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The mitzvah tanks, which will resume operation on Wednesday now that Passover has ended, were inspired by the teachings of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson and aim to engage secular Jews in acts of tradition and prayer in order to advance the coming of the Messiah.
“We look at the mitzvah tanks as the front line Marines in the rebbe’s arsenal,” said Rabbi Mordy Hirsch, who is also involved with the administering of the mitzvah tanks. “People are depressed today. Everyone has their worries, their headaches. The mitzvah tanks idea is a warm, comfortable home environment in the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue.”
Although the tanks are a familiar sight in certain neighborhoods in New York City, a parade of 61 tanks — symbolizing each year since the rebbe ascended to leadership in Crown Heights, Brooklyn — snaked through the city on April 14.
“We invite them in the tank, to have something to eat, something to drink, and we have a blessing,” said Yishai Eliefja, the bearded 23-year-old driver of one of the mitzvah tanks. “Instead of going to the synagogue, we bring the synagogue to you.”
To watch the report see below.
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Below photos taken by Boruch Ezagui.
imagine how many people put on tefillin on that day.what a kiddush hashem. let’s not forget the bashing lubavitchers got from other groups and their gedolim and admorim about putting tefillin on a not-yet-frum person and then look at what “kiruv” groups are doing nowadays….kol hakavod to chabad, always at the forefront of being mekarev another neshama
This is by far the most positive contribution being made on behalf o yiddeshkeit by any group in the world today, chassidish or litvish. The efforts of these young men and women to bring yiddin closer to hashem are far more productive than if they had been sitting learning in some kollel 24×7 in isolation from the real world.
It’s how the goyische faith spread 2,000 years ago, so getting out among the people has a proven track record. And #2 is spot on Chabad out engaging engaging with wayward and frei Yidden is far more productive for everyone rather than having reams of young men sitting on their tuchas in Kollel getting fat.
Gimme a break. This is not the right way to do it. Putting on tefillin on non frum jews that walk away from there without or tzitzis etc.. Is crazy! I know a family they made “frum” by making then light candles for shabbos. As soon as they were done they went into their cars. Chabad made their chilul shabbos worse by making them be it mekable. Theire beliefs are all mixed up.
#3 there is no need to deingrate Any Jew especially one who learns Torah. Why don’t you attack busi ess people as well. Lomdei Torah are the foundation of klal Yisrael.
I wish however that all groups would recognize the tremendous accomplishments of the radical “shock” troops of these chabadniks who brought tens of thousands of hidden closer to G-D. And closer has
MAny levels. Some people became closer by doing one mitzvah and others took the full leap. I personally have a member in my shul completely frum with all kids now going to yeshivas etc. And his first acquaintance withnyiddishkeitnwas thru a mitzvah tank which led to shabbos visits etc. And now a beautiful family ka” h
If there would be a modicum of unity among Jews the Jews they approach on the tanks could be referred to the kollels and we would all have a partnership. But we are still in a deep golus
#4 first of all mizvah gorres mitzvah second the rambam says that you should see the world a equall scale and one mitzvah could tip it how is doing a mitzvah a bad thing better to help a yid do a mitzvah then sit here and bash
the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that the nachas ruach that one mitzva of one Jew gives to Hashem is completely immeasurable!!! It is not our job to decide if a mitzva “is worthwhile” if he will anyways go on to walk into MacDonalds, it can be the mitzva that particular Neshama was waiting for, our job must simple be to get as many Jews as possible to do as many Mitzvos as possible!!
1.we also do many mitzvos and yet we do aveiros so no difference with the frei yid lighting candles and then being mechalel shabbos
2… all too often boruch Hashem, their pinteleh yid gets kindled and changes takes place as soon as they start with shabbos candles
3. although mivtzoim are a must and great and all the adjectives(seriously), learning Torah sincerely in Kolel has great merits!
Everyone be Matzliach in your shlichus here in the world