Senior Jerusalem police officials on Thursday met with heads of the Eida Chareidis to prevent a planned Shabbos rally against chilul Shabbos. Police met with Eida leaders on erev Shabbos in a last ditch effort to prevent the rally from taking place, but Gavad Rav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss Shlita has refused to comply with the police request to push off the rally as he did last week. Rav Weiss did not personally meet with police officials on erev Shabbos, sending a clear message that the Shabbos rally will take place.
Rav Weiss indicated he and thousands of others are willing to be arrested while defending the honor of the Shabbos.
It appears that this Shabbos, Jerusalem City Hall plans to operate parking lot(s) to accommodate visitors. The lots will be operated by non-Jews, and without charging a fee, but the Eida feels this cannot be tolerated since it encourages additional chilul Shabbos and desecrates the kedusha of the Holy City.
City Hall released a statement in the mayor’s name, commenting that the meetings were held in a good atmosphere and dignified fashion despite failing to reach an agreement between the sides.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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5 Responses
I agree with Rabbi Weiss. Why not insist on Shmiras Shabbos?
Is there a necessity for personal chilul shabbat (being arrested) to prevent public chilul shabbos?
I’ve got a radical idea:
Why not actually involve ourselves in the things that have proven to get people to WANT to keep shabbos themselves??? Completely. Even in their homes. For the rest of their lives.
IF we really cared about Kavod Shomayim, this is what we’d be meeting about.
I just hope that the dignity continues throughout the demonstrations and create a Kiddush Hashem. Hopefully it won’t get hijacked by a few crazies.
Politicians respond only to those who make it clear that they are totally dedicated to their objectives.
“Sunshine Soldiers” do not gain the respect of politicians, not in Israel and not here, in the U.S.