Plans by Jerusalem City Hall to operate a Shabbos flea market at the old train station complex near the German Colony have resulted in protests from city councilmen from Shas and Yahadut Hatorah, who in addition to voicing their objections have been meeting to plan their response.
Deputy Mayor (Yahadut Hatorah) R’ Yitzchak Pindrus decried the mass chilul Shabbos that would result from operating the complex every Shabbos. Councilman Rav Shlomo Rosenstein adds that in addition to the chilul Shabbos, permitting the train station complex plan to move forward “sets a dangerous precedent” in the capital regarding city-sponsored chilul Shabbos.
Pindrus and his colleagues remain committed to blocking the plan, which they insist is not suited for the capital. They report they have received calls from non-frum and non-chareidi residents who object to the plan no less than they do, citing Jerusalem is different and such happenings are not suitable for Shabbos.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Maybe the frum parties should do a better job of cooperating with each other.
Remember that from the point of view of those who rule Eretz Yisrael, “Hillul shabbos” is a feature, not a bug.
No mention of status sun. Is it irrelevant or did they give up on that front?
No mention of status quo. Is it irrelevant or did they give up on that front?
There is a large majority of Torah Jews in the Jerusalem Council, if they have not made ‘behind-the-back’ deals already they should be able to block this Flea market.