In his letter dated 9 Shevat, Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita sent a letter to Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita and Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita in which he expresses concerns over continuous water company chilul Shabbos.
Rabbi Stern makes reference to the so-called “water company’s fifth line”, the digging that continues seven days weekly in the capital with the exception of Yom Kippur.
Rabbi Stern explains that is why he feels that in all national projects, a person who addresses the halachic aspect must be appointed and today, this is not the case. Rabbi Stern explains he is aware that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu objects to his view, suggesting to the Chief Rabbis that action be taken despite the Prime Minister’s objections.
Rabbi Stern calls on the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to address the matter, pointing out the Rabbanut is the natural address to probe the water company’s actions and determine what is and is not permitted on Shabbos.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
On certain matters, they should defer to the utility experts on which work is critical for national security and public health and welfare and which is not. We do not want utility managers offering opinions on hashgacha nor do we want rabbonim making national security decisions. If we don’t trust utility management to make such decisions honestly and with recognition of the importance to shamiras Shabbos, than get new managers. But don’t have rabbonim deciding who and when to dig ditches.
True words, Rabbi Stern
‘Godolhadora’ are you serious? With that approach they will wipe shabos off the map completely which is what they want. There is no need to dig a ditch on shabos and you know it.
And if you couldn’t care about the public chillul shabos then think about the employees who are pretty much being forced to be mechalel shabbos usually against their will. This has to be fought. Btw are you a troll?