Hamas tunnels weren’t bad enough? Why are there tunnels leading under Chabad’s ritual bath basin and female dorms?

A bizarre incident at the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, has caused significant disruption and controversy. The unfolding situation began with the discovery of underground tunnels beneath the Chabad headquarters, a development that led to a riot when the New York Police Department (NYPD) responded to the scene​​ and tried to seal them.

The tunnels, reportedly constructed in the last six months, were intended to expand the facility, known as “770” due to its address on Eastern Parkway. Local residents had reported hearing voices apparently coming from beneath their homes before the discovery of the tunnel, which stretches from the Mikvah building to the women’s section of 770​​. The fact that it led to the female-only facilities and the place where orthodox women undress and immerse themselves has escaped no one’s attention.

Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesperson for the Chabad-Lubavitcher movement, referred to those responsible for the tunnel’s creation — reputely known as the Bochurim — as “extremists,” leading to the temporary closure of the building for a structural safety review. The motives behind the tunnel’s construction and the strong reaction of some students to its sealing remain unclear. However, it is suggested that the tunnel’s excavation began within the last year or two, possibly in conjunction with the pandemic and efforts to prevent movements which impacted prayer and use of the mikvah.

STATEMENT BY CHABAD-LUBAVITCH HEADQUARTERS

The Chabad-Lubavitch community is pained by the vandalism of a group of young agitators who damaged the synagogue below Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway Monday night.

These odious actions will be investigated, and the… pic.twitter.com/Ysn0jr7FTr

— Chabad Lubavitch HQ (@Lubavitch) January 9, 2024

The NYPD’s attempt to seal the tunnel with cement led to chaotic unrest with benches overturned and much shoving. Video footage showed a chaotic scene between synagogue members and NYPD officers, with some members allegedly vandalizing the synagogue and attempting to prevent the sealing of the tunnel. Ten individuals were arrested in connection with the incident​​, enough to make a minyan.

Creepy POV video of the tunnels under the Synagogue at 770 chabad. 👀 pic.twitter.com/duRP5TEJqu

— PaulyFrog (@PaulyFr0g) January 9, 2024

NYPD eventually made 10 arrests, according to community news outlet CrownHeights.info. Video showed several men in Hasidic garb being led out, their wrists bound with zip ties.

The images of destruction inside a sacred space at the center of Chabad spiritual life were painful for many Lubavitchers, who rushed to condemn it.

“Whose hand did not shake and tremble when they touched those walls — when they took a hammer to those walls?” Rabbi Yosef Braun, a heads of the Crown Heights Beis Din, said Monday in an audio recording posted to CrownHeights.Info, added: “It is as painful as can be.” The Forward reported that the Chabad Movement in fact does not control the space beneath the headquarters and has been locked in a struggle with the Chabad Synagogue that meets at 770. The dispute has been in litigation for years.

Community leaders were called in to help defuse the tense situation after the NYPD arrived. This incident has raised concerns about the physical stability of the Chabad center and the legal implications of the tunnel’s construction, not to mention the potential impropriety of tunnels being dug near a mikvah or the ladies’ sleeping quarters. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement is reportedly working with structural engineers to assess the damage and ensure the safety of the building​​.

The discovery of the tunnels under the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters is a story with multiple facets to it, each adding to the complexity of the situation and the mystery of how and why the tunnel was built. Let’s dig into the dirty details, shall we?

1. Discovery and Initial Reactions: The existence of the tunnels came to light after local residents heard voices seemingly coming from beneath their homes. The tunnels, believed to have been constructed in the last six months, extend from the Mikvah building to the women’s section of 770 Eastern Parkway, the address of the Chabad headquarters. This discovery caused considerable alarm among community members and led to the NYPD’s involvement​​.
2. Motive and Construction Period: The motive behind the tunnel’s construction remains somewhat unclear. There are speculations that they were dug by Yeshiva students during the COVID-19 lockdowns, possibly as an effort to gain access to the synagogue or to connect a ritual bath to the main building. Other reports suggest that the construction aimed to expand the facility known as “770.” The Chabad-Lubavitcher movement’s spokesperson, Rabbi Motti Seligson, described those responsible for the tunnels as “extremists,” indicating a significant concern within the community​​​​.
3. Riot and NYPD Response: The situation escalated when the NYPD attempted to seal the tunnels with cement. This led to a riot involving synagogue members and NYPD officers. Video footage of the incident showed chaos, with some members appearing to resist the police’s efforts to seal the tunnel. The incident led to the arrest of about ten individuals. It’s notable that during this unrest, some members of the synagogue were reported to have vandalized the building and attempted to prevent the sealing of the tunnel​​.
4. Safety and Legal Concerns: Following the discovery, the leadership of the Chabad synagogue hired structural engineers to assess the extent of the damage and the safety issues posed by the tunnel. This incident also raises legal questions, particularly regarding the construction of the tunnels without proper permits. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement is now focused on assessing and repairing the damage to ensure the stability and safety of the building​​.
5. Community Impact: This incident has deeply impacted the Chabad-Lubavitch community. The movement is known for its dedication to peace and goodwill, and the nature of this event, with its undertones of extremism and conflict, has been distressing for the community. The movement’s leaders and other religious figures have condemned the violence and expressed concern for the safety of individuals involved​​.

Stayed tuned for the latest twists and turns from the Tunnels under 770.