There is an avreich in Yerushalayim who remains in beis medrash until 11:30pm, every day. He explains that he is not such a masmid, but his wife has instructed him to remain outside the home until their daughter, 12 is asleep as part of his wife’s new modesty standards, a member in good standing of the chareidi cult that has broken away from traditional standards of tznius.
According to a Kikar Shabbat report, a stormy protest was held on motzei Shabbos in Geula attended by about 200 outside the beis medrash of HaGaon Rav Aaron Rumfler, who the protestors state is the spiritual mentor for the father who recently delivered a baby from a family member, distancing himself from the hospital for modesty reasons. Protestors included persons whose family members have joined this new cult.
There are children from these families who don’t attend talmid torah, ages 3-to-10, as well as not receiving medical care, dental care; simply living in an isolated world in the name of tznius. The Eida Chareidis has recently announced its opposition (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=108968) to this new trend, stating it is not in line with Torah, Halacha and the ruling of Gedolei Yisrael Shlita, but it appears the proclamation has done little or nothing to stop the trend.
Protestors announced they are opposed to the fanaticism of this group, which no longer represents chareidi Torah life, as well as being opposed to the rabbonim who mentor and foster this.Kikar adds that regarding Rav Rumfler, a person close to him stated when the rav heard of the protest taking place outside, the rav stated “The shame and humiliation is a kapora for the aveiros”.
The person close to the rav added “the rav is not connected to the stories attributed to him. Many seeking chizuk visit the rav, and he does not instruct anyone to wear a shawl in this fashion nor does he tell them not to. The women in our community are not dressed with shawls and the rav is simply not connected to the shawl community. The Eida Chareidis did not come out against the rav, but it came out against the women who do not adhere to daas torah”.
“There was a woman who was totally covered. In the beginning, the husband dealt with it but in time, due to pressure from his family, he requested his wife stop dressing in that fashion. She refused. The couple took it to beis din, and were instructed to compromise for one another. She would wear a shawl under the condition she did not cover her face. The husband refused such a compromise.
“There are tales about us regarding immodesty but our women are dressed entirely covered up and no man can see her or look at her – and regarding these women there are tales of immodesty? Whoever comes to consult with the rav regarding tznius, he advises a stringent approach not to chas v’sholom transgress in this area which would impact the home and the children.”
The anonymous person is quoted as adding “A representative of the rav came to the Eida beis din to take part in a hearing, permitting him to present his side. Not only did they block him, thereby preventing him from entering, they also threatened him that if he did not turn around and leave they would beat him”.