Two members of the Hod HaSharon City Council have put forward a bill to compel stores to shut down on Shabbos and to ban the sale of treif meat in the municipality. The move received the support of dozens of gabbaim who gathered to begin mounting public support and pressure towards passing such a law.

A local rav, Rabbi Reuven Hiller addressed a kinnos and spoke of this initiative, after which the participants signed a letter of support, which was sent to the mayor. The open letter addresses the fact that “recently, stores have opened that trample kodshei yisrael by selling neveila, treifos etc. The stores opening on Shabbos is a violation of the law and it affects the other storekeepers who are closed on the holy day. The law clearly prohibits the open sale of non-kosher meats. The municipality has an opportunity and responsibility to issue a closureorder and to send inspectors to enforce the law.”

“We, residents of Hod HaSharon turn to you, the mayor, one who holds our tradition dear to his heart, to take action by enforcing the law”.

The kinnos and subsequent letter led to a storm the weekly BaKehilla reports, and the local religious council and its head, Eli Blaustein, released the following statement. “I was not part of the kinnos and I was not aware it was taking place. I was not invited and I did not appear. I am opposed to such gatherings. My way is a way of peace. Since this is a halachic matter, Rav Hiller did not consult with me and he did not ask me. Had he asked my opinion, I would have suggested that he go about things differently and not the direction he chose”.

City askanim report they are undeterred and they plan to continue efforts towards shutting stores on Shabbos and eliminating the sale of treifos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)