Following reports that HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita has ordered a cheirim of the Heichal Malchus Hall in Bnei Brak, a hall owned by Bar Kol owner Menachem Carmel, who reportedly ignored Rav Kanievsky call to stop advertising in the HaPeles newspaper, the rav’s gabbai issued a denial.
A phone call to Rav Yishaiya Epstein, Rav Kanievsky’s gabbai/driver tells a different story. In essence, Rav Epstein stated “don’t believe the rumors. The rav never said such a thing. He never called on balei simcha to cancel events at the hall. Rav Chaim is not boycotting. He will most likely be attending an event there next week. The answer is no. he is not placing a cheirim on the hall.”
Listen to a 90 second audio clip via Ladaat.net.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
I don’t really blame Pres. Obama for being worried about the mission. It is not hard to imagine the scenario where this could have gone horribly wrong and we would have blamed him for it.