New West End rabbi compares attending private minyanim to 'idol worship'

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The Rabbi of the New West End Synagogue has said those attending private minyanim during the coronavirus lockdown are “idol worshippers” and will no longer be called upon read Torah in his synagogue.

Moshe Freedman said on Tuesday afternoon: “If you have taken part in a private minyan during the lockdown, you will not receive an aliya in my shul.”

“We cannot offer an honour to idol worshippers,” he tweeted, adding: “You think that you’re praying to God, but you’re actually worshipping the minyan, and that is idol worship.”

Ok, I'm going to say it. If you have taken part in a private minyan during the lockdown, you will not receive an aliya in my shul. We cannot offer an honour to idol worshippers. You think you're praying to God, but you're actually worshipping the minyan, and that is idol worship.

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