Jerusalem – Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a time when many non-regular Israeli synagogue-goers take time to pray. It is also an annual opportunity for children to ride their bicycles on deserted streets.
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Almost all Israeli road traffic stops on Yom Kippur as most of the country’s Jewish majority refrains from driving. Roads and main highways are deserted and left clear for children to enjoy without much fear of encountering a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday, scores of children went out to ride their bicycles, scooters and skateboards on a main road that separates the Israeli urban settlement of Pisgat Zeev from the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, both in East Jerusalem.
Israeli children rode freely on the main road that leads into the heart of Jerusalem, where there were similar scenes on the deserted highways west of the Old City.
A few Palestinian children also took advantage of the open roads to have fun. In their own area, traffic ran freely and streets were bustling.
The decades-old traditional driving ban is not dictated by law but is maintained out of deference for the holy day. Israeli Jews refrain from driving during the 25-hour holy period which this year began at dusk on Tuesday and ends after dark on Wednesday.
The days leading up to Yom Kippur are the busiest of the year for Israeli bicycle sellers and repairers, as children prepare for their big day of fun out in the fresh air when the weather is still warm.
Alongside the cyclists, scooters and pedestrians the occasional police car and ambulance could be seen driving slowly along highways, usually flashing their blue or red beacons to give warning of their approach.
Rescue services report several hundred cases of cyclists sustaining injuries during the day, but few of the casualties are considered serious.
Better their parents should take them to shul.
Hadassah Magazine, which caters to the Reform, just had a large article, about Israelis (adults included), riding their bikes the length of Israel, on Yom Kippur. I would have sent in a letter of protest, but I know they would never print it. Hadassah loves to print articles, which are in violation of Halacha, as they could care less!
It’s only three hours since we blew shofar after YK – why is it always the other guy who has to do a cheshbon hanefesh?
If you don’t have something nice to say……. then say nothing at all.
ok? ok
I looked out from Ramot and did not see ONE car on the main highways, not ONE.
On shabbos there is usually several, may HaShem look down on His people and bless them with a good year! Imagine even seculars did not drive!
What a shame! Isnt Israel the Land of the Jews? If it is then why are Jews going about their lives on bikes on YOM KIPUR? Just so we all shld reaffirm that although good Jews live there and do Hashems will, IT IS NOT A JEWISH STATE.
Should look like this every shabbos ,
As u all know that Shabbos is more chumer then Yom Kippur.
Shabbos is Skileh
Yom Kippur is Kures
Wouldn’t it be nice if they could see the beauty And the gift that God has given us in taking one day rest and doing this every Shabbas