
Outrage in Bnei Brak: Prominent Dayan Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Weiss Verbally Attacked on Shabbos
Shock swept through Bnei Brak over Shabbos after Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Weiss, noted senior poskim, was verbally attacked during a Shabbos morning gathering at a local beis medrash.
Rav Weiss, who serves as the rav of Satmar chassidim in Antwerp, was present at a Kiddush celebrating his grandson’s aufruf at the Bobov 45 beis medrash on Rechov Chagai when the incident occurred.
According to witnesses, the dayan was seated at the mizrach table, engaged in animated Torah discussion with rabbanim and admorim in attendance, when an individual approached him and began shouting harsh and insulting remarks. The verbal assault reportedly continued for approximately ten minutes and was said to be connected to recent halachic rulings Rav Weiss had issued regarding matters of communal property.
Those present, including family members and rabbonim, were stunned by the brazenness of the confrontation and sought to intervene and remove the man from the premises.
Observers say it was at that moment that Rav Weiss’s composure stood out. Remaining calm throughout the tirade, he signaled to those around him not to respond. Maintaining a steady expression, he allowed the man to finish speaking. When the attacker concluded, the dayan simply responded softly, “Gut Shabbos,” and resumed his Torah conversation as if nothing had occurred.
Within hours, news of the episode spread throughout Bnei Brak and chassidic communities. Rav Weiss is regarded as one of the leading halachic authorities in European Jewry, and the affront against him was widely viewed as an act of severe disrespect.
In wake of the incident, preparations are underway for the upcoming wedding of Rav Weiss’s grandson, scheduled to take place Tuesday at the Ganey Hadekel hall in Bnei Brak. Associates say urgent meetings are being held with event organizers and security professionals to ensure the celebration proceeds without disruption and to prevent any repeat of such an occurrence.
Community activists in the chareidi sector expressed strong condemnation of the attack. “We will not accept the ביזיון of תלמידי חכמים within Bnei Brak,” one representative said. “Anyone who raises a hand or opens his mouth against the dayan will face a firm response.”