In a surprising turn of events, a group of Orthodox Jews in New York City has made headlines with the construction of a mysterious tunnel. According to an exclusive interview with The Post, one anonymous member of the group revealed that the tunnel was built as a message to their sect's elders, urging them to provide more space for prayer.

Reportedly, the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, consisting primarily of teenagers and those in their twenties, took matters into their own hands due to their dissatisfaction with the cramped conditions of their Crown Heights headquarters. The excavators felt that during high holiday services, leaving the overcrowded synagogue could take up to 15 minutes.

The plan for the tunnel, dubbed "chunnel," had been in the works since 2020, sparked by a combination of boredom and a desire to fulfill what they believed was the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's vision of expanding the synagogue. Upon joining the project in September 2022, the anonymous digger mentioned that approximately 20 feet of the tunnel had already been completed by that time.

While the excavation was initially unknown to most members of the Chabad community, the digger claimed that there was a silent majority who supported the expansion of the synagogue. He insisted that nearly 90% of Chabad members agreed that expansion was not only necessary but urgent.

However, Rabbi Motti Seligson, a Chabad spokesperson, strongly discredited the actions of the rogue group, emphasizing that they did not represent the movement as a whole. Seligson condemned their behavior as "violent and reckless," stating that there was no theological justification for their actions.

Funding for the project came from donations, which covered the expenses of tools and support beams. Professional contractors from the Hasidic community were also involved to ensure the safety of the excavation. Interestingly, the diggers enlisted the help of Spanish-speaking migrants to hasten the progress. The migrants worked diligently, but their presence raised suspicions among neighbors and synagogue elders due to the increased noise.

The covert construction came to public attention when the Chabad leaders attempted to bring in cement workers to fill in the tunnel. This led to chaos, with extremists attempting to prevent the workers from entering the underground space. As a result, nine men, aged 19 to 21, were arrested on charges of obstruction and criminal mischief.

Following an investigation by the city Department of Buildings, it was discovered that the amateur diggers had not properly fortified the tunnel, leading to concerns about the structural stability of two single-story extension buildings connected to the synagogue complex. As a precautionary measure, a partial vacate order was issued for these buildings. Furthermore, a two-story building received a full vacate order as inspectors found that fire-rated walls had been dismantled in the cellar and the first floor.

Working closely with city inspectors, the Chabad community poured concrete into the affected areas on Wednesday, aiming to reinforce the damaged walls.

This bizarre and audacious act of constructing a tunnel as a call for prayer space expansion has become a matter of contention, raising questions about the boundaries of religious expression and the proper channels for addressing community concerns.