Name Yosef Heller | ||
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Occupation Rabbi, Member of the Crown Heights Beth Din | ||
Yosef Avraham haLevi Heller is an Orthodox rabbi and a member of the Chabad Hasidic movement. Rabbi Heller serves as a member of the Bais Din Tzedek (Jewish Rabbinical Court) of the Chabad community in Crown Heights, Brooklyn; he is an authority on Halacha (Jewish law) and Hasidic philosophy. Rabbi Heller holds the additional position of Rosh Kollel, head of the community's kollel, a yeshiva for married men.
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Rabbi of Crown Heights
As a member of the Crown Heights Beth Din (rabbinical court), Rabbi Heller is considered one of the community's chief rabbis (Aramaic, מרא דאתרא (Marah D'Asra)). The rabbinical court is the spiritual and religious body governing the Crown Heights Chabad community. There are currently four rabbis serving on the Beth Din:
Each hold the title Marah D'Asra, and Rabbi Osdoba holds the additional title of Av Beth Din (head of court).
The Crown Heights rabbinical court is funded by the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC), a religious corporation representing the Jewish community of Crown Heights.
Appointment
Rabbi Heller assumed the role as of member of the rabbinical court in a community election, following the death of Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dvorkin, the community's first chief rabbi. The same election appointed Rabbis Yehuda Kalmen Marlow and Avraham Osdoba, establishing the court. After the passing of his wife Rabbi Heller stopped most public rabbinic activities, he still however answers rabbinic questions privately, as well as in the Kolel.
Rosh Kollel
Rabbi Heller holds the additional position of Rosh Kollel, head of the community's kollel, a yeshiva for married men.
In Orthodox Judaism, it is customary for every community to establish an communal institution where a group of adult men study during the day. The men are in turn supported financially by the community.
Statements on Jewish Law
Rabbi Heller has publicly stated that stringencient practices in Jewish Law (or chumras), may not be practiced if they are at the expense of other members of one's household. Heller referred to practices common in Orthodox circles, where additional stringencies are practiced on Passover.