Clearly there is more going on here than a psak halacha. During the week a number of prominent Sephardi rabbonim released their piskei halacha regarding Purim observance for residents of Jerusalem’s Ramot neighborhood. This was culminated by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel announcing Purim is to be observed on the 15th of Adar like all of Yerushalayim, basing this on the psak halacha of Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, who ruled the requirements to establish continuity with other areas of the capital have been met. Therefore, it meets the criteria set forth by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L and the observance can be shifted from 14 to 15 Adar.

After the Chief Rabbinate made its announcement Jerusalem Sephardi Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Amar Shlita once again reiterated his psak halacha that Ramot residents should continue observing Purim on 14 Adar. Rav Amar released his psak again on Wednesday, 13 Adar. He states nothing has changed and the Megillah should be read on 14 Adar and on 15 one should read again without a bracha as well as fulfilling the other mitzvos of the day.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)