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Jerusalem - Gur to Join Eda Haredit's Plan for Another Large Shabbat Protests |
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Charedim protest opening of Jerusalem parking lot on Shabbat. Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
Last Saturday, thousands of ultra-Orthodox men clashed with police, first near the Kikar Safra parking lot, and then at the entrance to the Mea She'arim neighborhood, throwing bottles, rocks and dirty diapers, and lightly wounding six officers.
The riots set off a backlash in secular circles, triggering calls to Mayor Nir Barkat not to capitulate to the haredi demands.
Members of the ultra-Orthodox community responded by stepping up their activities designed to close the parking lot on Shabbat.
On Wednesday, the ultra-Orthodox, anti-Zionist Eda Haredit organization announced that a "massive Kabbalat Shabbat" prayer service would be held on Rehov Bar-Ilan in the Bucharim neighborhood on Friday night, with the expected participation of leading rabbis and thousands of community members.
Gur Hasidim - members of the largest hasidic sect in Israel, which has stayed out of the battle on an official level - are also expected to participate.
Protest organizers are trying to enlist the endorsements of leading rabbis - including Rabbi Yosef Eliashiv, who leads Lithuanian ultra-Orthodoxy, and Gerrer Rebbe Yaakov Aryeh Alter - by obtaining their signatures for pashkivilim, posters announcing the protests.
Alter, who has already agreed to send his followers to the protest, said he would only give his signature if "all of the leading rabbis of Israel" did so as well.
Organizers also said today that the decision to hold the protest on Friday night, as opposed to Saturday afternoon, was made to avoid a secular counterprotest planned for Saturday. Nonetheless, posters that went up in Mea She'arim and other nearby ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods this week called on residents to attend Friday's prayer session, and to return to the parking lot on Saturday for an additional protest.
"For the Haredim it's not about the parking lot, this has become a general battle over Shabbat in Jerusalem," Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, a member of the Eda Haharedit who heads the Zaka rescue and recovery organization told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
"Barkat has been in office for half a year now, and after the elections, which were really a referendum on the character of the city, and in which [ultra-Orthodox candidate Meir] Porush lost, the haredi street has been quietly brewing. The parking lot is simply what has set it off."
Meshi-Zahav explained that while numerous private businesses operate on Shabbat in Jerusalem, the fact that it was the municipality operating the parking lot - essentially lending it an official stamp - had caused members of the ultra-Orthodox community to break their silence.
"And Barkat is between a rock and a hard place," he said. "The Haredim are not going to back down, and the secular [residents] won't let Barkat back down."
When the opening of the parking lot was initially discussed last month, an agreement was reached with the municipality's ultra-Orthodox council - made up of haredi city council members - which stipulated that a non-Jew would operate the lot in an effort to calm opposition.
But the Eda Haredit, along with other haredi groups, rejected the deal, and last week they begin calling for protesters to take to the streets.
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Read Comments (35) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 10, 2009 at 10:04 PM Moe Says:
Kol Hakavod to the Gerer rebbe shlita.
3
Jun 10, 2009 at 09:55 PM Anonymous Says:
baruch hasem sheani lo charedi
4
Jun 10, 2009 at 09:53 PM Dag Says:
The Edah should announce that violent protest is Assur and will not be tolerated.
5
Jun 10, 2009 at 10:29 PM Anonymous Says:
“ baruch hasem sheani lo charedi ”
Thank god I'm not litfish.
6
Jun 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM confused Says:
I don't understand, what's the issue here? Why are the chareidim protesting, there is nothing wrong if a goy is manning the place. They can't force the chilonim to be frum! Isreal is not a jewish/religious state, Mashiach isn't here yet. It looks to me that these guys are very bored and this is their outlet. What is it, is Shabbos a little to long and this is how they spice things up? Get a life if your bored.
7
Jun 10, 2009 at 10:55 PM Anonymous Says:
Who are you to tell the gedolim what they should do?
8
Jun 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM Anonymous Says:
“ I don't understand, what's the issue here? Why are the chareidim protesting, there is nothing wrong if a goy is manning the place. They can't force the chilonim to be frum! Isreal is not a jewish/religious state, Mashiach isn't here yet. It looks to me that these guys are very bored and this is their outlet. What is it, is Shabbos a little to long and this is how they spice things up? Get a life if your bored. ”
Since when can't yoi force sure we could and we will win let's all come out and obey the raabanim
9
Jun 11, 2009 at 07:01 AM Anonymous Says:
.........."Alter, who has already agreed to send his followers to the protest, said he would only give his signature if "all of the leading rabbis of Israel" did so as well"........................................................................ Who wrote this stupid article, without minumum respect to a leading rabbi?!!!!
10
Jun 11, 2009 at 06:46 AM End of Days Says:
Is this protest going to cause anybody to do tshuva? These people should ask baale t'shuva their opinion of these tactics!
11
Jun 11, 2009 at 05:56 AM Why Protest Says:
For those of you who DONT understand. The reasoning is two fold... Firstly the penalties Hashem mentions for breaking Shabbos IN JERUSALEM ( destruction of the city) and secondly the parking lot is going to bring seculars and goyim into the neighborhood. They will come in and averas will multiply. shops will open to service them, they will carry their purchases through our streets wearing untznius clothing etc.. Get the picture?
12
Jun 11, 2009 at 05:37 AM chilul shabbos Says:
this stupid protest their doing will cause so many poilce and soilders to mecha shabbos so is that better than keeping open parking lot why protest on shabbos do it different day
13
Jun 11, 2009 at 05:18 AM Berl Says:
Very nice of Gur to join after they unlocked the barn door by supporting Barkat. I will believe that Gur is sincere when I see them in their old glory from the days of Kikar HaShabbos ramming into police with tables and breaking their ribs and beating yassamniks to a pulp.
What does Barkat's buddy Pindrus have to say about this, he claims that he does not move a centimeter without asking Rav Eliyashiv? Did Rav Eliyashiv approve open the parking lot with a goy?
14
Jun 11, 2009 at 04:10 AM suzy Says:
Whatever needs to be demonstrated on should not invlove any Chillul Hashem. This is what ruins and brings down the Kovud of our community and Rabbonim to the public. And then in turn creates more hatred and disrespect to all us Yidden the world over.
A message to Jews the world over.
Think of Hashem before going out there to demonstrate and behave with the dignity of who we are.
15
Jun 11, 2009 at 02:15 AM Anonymous Says:
This is not about forcing anyone to keep shabbos, this is an issue of the municipality of Yerushalayim giving their stamp of approval to public chilul shabbos
16
Jun 11, 2009 at 01:32 AM Milhouse Says:
Is Ger even welcome at this protest? Considering who put Barkat into office in the first place.
17
Jun 11, 2009 at 01:17 AM HolyMoe Says:
The Chillul HaShem already happened when, last November in the holy city of Yerushalaiim, the Ehrliche Yidden couldn’t get together, overcome their petty disagreements, and vote for Meir Porush, the only Chareidi candidate running for mayor.
I’m willing to bet that most of those demonstrators either didn’t vote for him or voted against him.
You can be sure if Meir Porush had been mayor, this parking lot would never have opened.
So instead of yelling “Shabbos” and loudly demonstrating, these "Tzadikkim" should be in Shul humbly Klopping Al Chait and and Davenning for forgiveness Min HaShomayim for the enormous Aveiro of Chillul HaShem (and Chillul Shabbos Kodesh) their actions (or inaction) caused.
Yes, THEY caused it, NOT the Tinuk SheNishbo sitting today in Yerushalaiim's city hall.
18
Jun 10, 2009 at 11:51 PM knowitall Says:
Theses are the same people that refuse to join in two minutes of silence to respect the fallen soldiers of the IDF. Do these people ever come out with such enthusiasm to thank the IDF that protects them and their right to throw rocks and bottles at demonstrations? Did they bother to show up at the funeral of the eight Yeshiva Bocurim murdered at Mercaz Harav? Were they moved to go out in the streets and protest those terrible murders?
If they acted appropriately in other areas involving fundamental civic behavior and duty (i.e., mentchlechkeit), then perhaps one would heed and respect their protests. However, their myopic one dimensional, one issue of concern, even if be as important as chilul shabbos, unfortunately invites and appropriately deserves scorn.
19
Jun 10, 2009 at 11:31 PM Anonymous Says:
You commentors are nuts what In the world do you know do u live In yerushalayim no are you lerned no so how do u not think of yourself as fools talking about issues you have no clue and decide what's right is there any Torah or rabincal athoraty u follow or you just make it up as you go along hippicreeps
20
Jun 11, 2009 at 07:39 AM za003 Says:
“ I don't understand, what's the issue here? Why are the chareidim protesting, there is nothing wrong if a goy is manning the place. They can't force the chilonim to be frum! Isreal is not a jewish/religious state, Mashiach isn't here yet. It looks to me that these guys are very bored and this is their outlet. What is it, is Shabbos a little to long and this is how they spice things up? Get a life if your bored. ”
its not that its just the fact that its opened on shabbos and its giving the chilonim a good excuse to go out and drive because maybe before this parking lot the chilonim didn't drive so much because there was no place to park. Besides if we cant make them frum dont we want to at least make it hard for them to be michalel shabbos its called " Tough love "
21
Jun 11, 2009 at 07:54 AM Anonymous Says:
It would be one thing if this was a peaceful protest. As soon as they start throwing rocks and dirty diapers and lighting fires, they lose all credibility that they are just trying to protect the sanctity of Shabbat.
22
Jun 11, 2009 at 07:52 AM yoelyg Says:
#17 u not right, the last mayor was also a real yid & he didnt do nothing better for the yiden (1 exzample: gay parade)
23
Jun 11, 2009 at 08:17 AM David Says:
“ .........."Alter, who has already agreed to send his followers to the protest, said he would only give his signature if "all of the leading rabbis of Israel" did so as well"........................................................................ Who wrote this stupid article, without minumum respect to a leading rabbi?!!!! ”
Respect?! For what?! For causing all this!? What's with you?! Politics is before Torah and Hashem?! If he's that big didn't he forsee this happaning with Barakat?!
24
Jun 11, 2009 at 08:02 AM Shlomo Zalman Says:
“ The Chillul HaShem already happened when, last November in the holy city of Yerushalaiim, the Ehrliche Yidden couldn’t get together, overcome their petty disagreements, and vote for Meir Porush, the only Chareidi candidate running for mayor.
I’m willing to bet that most of those demonstrators either didn’t vote for him or voted against him.
You can be sure if Meir Porush had been mayor, this parking lot would never have opened.
So instead of yelling “Shabbos” and loudly demonstrating, these "Tzadikkim" should be in Shul humbly Klopping Al Chait and and Davenning for forgiveness Min HaShomayim for the enormous Aveiro of Chillul HaShem (and Chillul Shabbos Kodesh) their actions (or inaction) caused.
Yes, THEY caused it, NOT the Tinuk SheNishbo sitting today in Yerushalaiim's city hall. ”
you hiy the nail on the head. Unfortunately, when these gys make a mistake, they will never admit they were wrong. Porush was the only choice, and they didn't choose him. Now they become big knockers and will cause another chilul hashem
25
Jun 11, 2009 at 09:02 AM Anonymous Says:
I hope the police has enough pepper spray for these hooligans.
26
Jun 11, 2009 at 09:13 AM Dovid Says:
Invest in stones today before the price gores up.
27
Jun 11, 2009 at 09:14 AM Moshe Says:
rationalize all you want - they are just unemployed presumtuous thugs
28
Jun 11, 2009 at 10:23 AM Anonymous Says:
“ You commentors are nuts what In the world do you know do u live In yerushalayim no are you lerned no so how do u not think of yourself as fools talking about issues you have no clue and decide what's right is there any Torah or rabincal athoraty u follow or you just make it up as you go along hippicreeps ”
Does Rabbi Elyashiv shlita back these protests? This is our authority.
29
Jun 11, 2009 at 09:37 AM Rippin Pinchas Says:
“ I don't understand, what's the issue here? Why are the chareidim protesting, there is nothing wrong if a goy is manning the place. They can't force the chilonim to be frum! Isreal is not a jewish/religious state, Mashiach isn't here yet. It looks to me that these guys are very bored and this is their outlet. What is it, is Shabbos a little to long and this is how they spice things up? Get a life if your bored. ”
Yes, very confused. Bloggers like yourself expect support for the Medinah yet you say that it is not a Jewish state. Which way is it?
30
Jun 11, 2009 at 09:36 AM HolyMoe Says:
“ #17 u not right, the last mayor was also a real yid & he didnt do nothing better for the yiden (1 exzample: gay parade) ”
Please check your facts.
The gay parade was forced on the last mayor by the national government and courts of the medina and there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop it.
The parking lot issue, however, is the initiative of the present mayor.
31
Jun 11, 2009 at 12:32 PM Bunim1 Says:
Although when Gur gets involved it gets "fun", when will we realize that we are all Jews and not Arabs? These protest ligit send people to the hospital and sometimes even death?
There are other ways of dealing with THE GREAT SIN OF CHILLUL SHABBOS
32
Jun 11, 2009 at 01:20 PM kivi Says:
“ Is Ger even welcome at this protest? Considering who put Barkat into office in the first place. ”
Wake up! That's like asking is satmar welcome in kiryas yoel!!!
33
Jun 11, 2009 at 05:13 PM yoelyg Says:
#17 u not right, the last mayor was also a real yid & he didnt do nothing better for the yiden (1 exzample: gay parade)
34
Jun 11, 2009 at 08:13 PM Anonymous Says:
Number17 you are 100% correct
Number 33 sorry totally wrong
35
Jun 11, 2009 at 08:07 PM Anonymous Says:
...."Alter, who has already agreed to send his followers to the protest, said he would only give his signature if "all of the leading rabbis of Israel" did so as .................................... whats he scared of ?????
when he voted Barkat, he was on his own did not care about other leading rabbis
36
Jun 12, 2009 at 04:07 AM matzahlocal101 Says:
“ Theses are the same people that refuse to join in two minutes of silence to respect the fallen soldiers of the IDF. Do these people ever come out with such enthusiasm to thank the IDF that protects them and their right to throw rocks and bottles at demonstrations? Did they bother to show up at the funeral of the eight Yeshiva Bocurim murdered at Mercaz Harav? Were they moved to go out in the streets and protest those terrible murders?
If they acted appropriately in other areas involving fundamental civic behavior and duty (i.e., mentchlechkeit), then perhaps one would heed and respect their protests. However, their myopic one dimensional, one issue of concern, even if be as important as chilul shabbos, unfortunately invites and appropriately deserves scorn.
”
"Do these people ever come out with such enthusiasm to thank the IDF that protects them"
And here i am thinking it was Hashem that protects the Jews. Now you know why some people equate the medinah with Avodah zora because both encourage the denial of Hashem.