Rabbi Yisrael Samet, the rav of the Lod Torani garin, the leader of the young dati leumi couples building the Torah community in the city, has announced a unique way of combating driver recklessness. Rav Samet plans to approach the leaders of Tzohar Rabbis in the hope the organization will adopt his position in the ongoing fight against reckless drivers.

Rav Samet’s idea was prompted by the fatal horrific accident last week, which claimed the lives of eight persons, parents and their six children, and the accident on Sunday that claimed the lives of six more persons, both on the same road.

“We as rabbis of the kehilla, leaders of the tzibur, cannot remain silent as entire families are wiped out on the roads,” stated the rav, adding, “The is the time for cheshbon nefesh among ourselves, if we truly adhere to traffic law” If we truly do our utmost to prevent accidents?”

The rav feels that introspection is not sufficient however, as the situation demands action, which must be led first and foremost by the rabbonim. Rabbi Samet feels that a traffic law offender may not be eligible to be a witness at a chupah, a step that will hopefully have everyone thinking at the very least.

Rabbi Samet explains this includes persons declared as chronic offenders by police, but not just them. He feels that if one wishes to be a witness at a chupah, he will be asked if he adheres to traffic law, if they ever cross a solid line or if he runs red traffic signals?

The Kippa website adds that a decade ago, the mora d’asra of Yishuv Otniel, Rabbi Re’em HaKohen ruled a traffic offender is pasul as a witness for a chupah.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)