Rabbi Markowitz whispered: "Tell everyone to sit down, so it doesn't look empty..." • Watch

April 12, 2016   

Awkward moment: On Monday, a reception was held in Lakewood in honor of the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponivez, Harav Markowitz, "On His Arrival at the Gates of Our City to Raise the Keren of Torah and the Light of the World," with the participation of the Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, Rabbi Malchiel Kotler. Embarrassingly, only about 30 people arrived at the 'Kehel Shearit Adat Yisrael' hall, where the reception was held. About 5,000 avrechim and yeshiva churei study at the Lakewood Yeshiva. In a video recording of the event, which was prepared on behalf of Ponivez alumni, Harav Markowitz is seen saying to the host (minute 8:48): "Tell those standing to sit down, so that it doesn't look empty..." and then added: "Someone needs to bring them..." [youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BOUXDGWhzw" width="600" height="400" responsive="yes" autoplay="no"] Those who spoke at the reception were Harav Kotler, and the guest - who carried the 'evening burden'. The embarrassing event was also attended by two of the heads of the Lakewood Yeshiva, the rabbis of the Gaon, Rabbi David Shustal and Rabbi Israel Newman. The gaon, Rabbi Yerucham Alshin, boycotted the reception and did not participate. Rabbi Markowitz speaks. Courtesy of the photographer