The latest incident surrounding the ongoing effort by secularists’ to destroy the Yerushalayim eruv has led to the arrest of two rabbonim in Yerushalayim on Shabbos, in Bayit Vegan. The incident will undoubtedly result in a political storm for Jerusalem’s new Mayor, Nir Barkat, as the story is revealed in the chareidi newspapers and electronic media.

According to reports from Bayit Vegan, a large police force responded on Shabbos when non-religious people phoned, apparently after frum yidden involved in a stakeout apprehended secularists as they cut the eruv in the Bayit Vegan area. The culprit apprehended in the act was none other than noted Jerusalem professor, a leading opponent of the eruv and a member of the committee of rabbonim and secularists that have been meeting in the hope of using dialogue as a means to resolve the controversy.

As a result of repeated incidents in which the eruv was rendered posul by secularists in recent months, HaGaon Rav Yehoshua Neuwirth Shlita turned to rabbonim involved with the Mehadrin Eruv in Eretz Yisrael organization, Rav Dovid Eisenstein and Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruchman, offering them to remain in Bayit Vegan for Shabbos in the hope of apprehending the culprits.

The following events are reported in the daily HaMevaser, based on a conversation with Rav Dovid Eisenstein.

HaGaon Rav Neuwirth turned to us for assistance, compelled to act as a result of the knowledge the attacks on the eruv may result in chilul Shabbos by the many unaware of the eruv’s status. He suggested we remain as guests in his yeshiva in the hope of apprehending the culprits red handed. We complied with his request and after seudas Shabbos, together with a number of bochrim; we headed for Herzl Boulevard in the direction of Shaare Zedek Hospital and Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital to set up ambushes in the hope of apprehending the culprits once and for all.

Shortly following our arrival we saw two people approaching, one with a knife, who cut the eruv. We came out and apprehended him. We were shocked to see noted university chemistry professor, Danny Mandler, a resident of the Malcha area of the city, the Ir Ganim neighborhood.

Ironically, Mandler is a member of the committee established to find a solution, a committee that is continuing a dialogue between secularists, rabbonim and Jerusalem City Hall.

A non frum person summoned police, and upon their arrival, the rabbonim explained what had taken place. Police immediately arrested Handler and his accomplice, and told Rabbis Eisenstein and Ruchman to accompany them to the police station to give their version of the events. The rabbonim explained that today is Shabbos and they cannot, expressing a willingness to report immediately after Shabbos, or alternatively, they would walk to the police station and arrive later at night. Police refused, insisting they get into the police car.

The rabbonim explained this was not possible, at which time police began hitting them and using unjustifiable force, calling for backup units. The reinforcements came and a scuffle ensued as the bochrim tried to defend the rabbonim against what they describe as police brutality.

The rabbonim were arrested and taken to the police Russian Compound detention center. The asked that a non-Jewish policeman question them in the hope of avoiding chilul Shabbos by a Jewish policeman, as he wrote what was taking place. They were asked to sign papers, refusing to do so until motzei Shabbos, at which time they signed and were released without bail.

The professor and his accomplice were released on bail and ordered to distance themselves from the eruv for 30 days.

Gilo Chief Rabbi and posek of the Jerusalem Rabbanut, Rabbi Eliyahu Schlesinger explains for the past months, efforts have been made to enter into dialogue with secularists opposed to the eruv, “but there was no one to talk to” he explained. He added that just this past week, Rav Katzenelbogen, who is responsible for the eruv in the Jerusalem Religious Council, took community center leaders on a tour of the eruv, showing them it was not in the way and did not pose an obstacle to anyone. A number of hours later, the act to destroy it once again took place.

Immediately after Shabbos, chareidi city councilmen turned to Mayor Nir Barkat, exclaiming while they have halted work on new eruvs and continue dialogue in the hope of finding a solution, the secularists are not true to their word and continue attacks, adding if something is not done, the chareidi community will be compelled to halt efforts towards cooperation.

City official Rav Yosef Deutsch immediately contacted the mayor and decried the arrest and treatment of the rabbonim, and the chilul Shabbos that resulted.

Barkat responded with concern, promising to convene the eruv committee today, Sunday, in urgent session, condemning the attack and questioning the actions of the secularists at a time when dialogue is ongoing. He praised the actions of the chareidi community, adding there are those seeking to inflame the atmosphere in the city.

Rav Deutsch called on the mayor to act to prevent conflict between the communities, stating the atmosphere over recent years has been one of overall tolerance. Deutsch also called on the mayor to act against police, who compelled the rabbonim to travel on Shabbos and used unnecessary force.

The mayor exhibited an understanding of the severity of the situation and promised to contact the Jerusalem Police Chief regarding the matter.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)