We can no longer remain silent while the kavod of our shul is publicly trampled. The behavior taking place in our shuls during davening has crossed every line of decency. It is shocking, disgusting, and an absolute chillul Hashem.

Have we fallen so incredibly low that people are no longer embarrassed to commit a blatant dvar issur  in public for all to see?

To stand in a Tallis (and tefillin on weekdays) facing the Shechinah, while casually holding and sipping a hot drink is a total slap in the face to the Ribono shel Olam. We are supposed to be accepting the ol malchus Shamayim, but instead, we are treating the shul like a boardwalk cafe.

Look in the Mirror:

• • No Shame in a Public Aveirah: The poskim state explicitly that drinking after Baruch She’amar is an issur. Yet, people openly parade their coffee down the aisles, completely unbothered that they are doing an aveirah in front of the entire kehillah. Where is the basic boosha (shame)?
  • Zero Self-Control: Is the addiction to caffeine so severe that you literally cannot finish your coffee before davening? If you cannot wake up ten minutes earlier to drink your coffee like a civilized person, stay in the coffee room.
  • A Complete Zilzul: You would never dare walk into a courtroom or a meeting with a king holding a cup of coffee. Yet, standing before the Melech Malchei HaMelachim, you feel entirely comfortable sipping a latte. It is a sickening display of disrespect.

This massive Chillul Hashem must stop today. If you cannot respect the Ribono shel Olam, at least respect the tzibbur trying to daven. Leave the coffee outside the doors, or do not come inside until you are done.
A Pained Member of the Kehillah

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