Many riders on Jerusalem’s light rail were surprised when they saw Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Aryeh Stern and his assistant Avinoam Kutsher board the train on Wednesday, 3 Iyar, Memorial Day.

It appears the two were heading to Mount Herzl to attend the official state service. Some passengers told the press it was truly a sight, that a person of the rav’s status would travel to the memorial service in an overcrowded train as hundreds of people were heading to Mt. Herzl.

Officials in the rav’s office explain that when Rabbi Stern realized there were major traffic snarls heading into the area, he ordered his driver to pull over. The rabbi and his assistant boarded a train, explaining Rabbi Stern was very concerned that walking in to the ceremony late would compromise the kovod of the fallen, the bereaved families and the ceremony.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)