Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita has canceled his scheduled participation in slichos which were due to take place on Monday evening in the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Ze’ev after he learned the organizers have not arranged for separate seating. HaGaon HaRav Reuven Elbaz Shlita, a member of Shas’ Moetzas Gedolei Torah, was also scheduled to participate but he too has canceled due to the separate seating issue.
Adverts for the event state singer Yaniv Ben Moshiach is scheduled to appear as well as Shas Deputy Mayor Tzvika Cohen and Avraham Betzalel. The advert states the event will be held without separate seating.
At first, it was explained that the advert was mistaken, but it has since become clear that no arrangements have been made for separate seating. As such, both Rav Yosef and Rav Elbaz have announced they will not be attending.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
Sad, but necessary. This is a religious event, not a cultural one, and to have mixed seating is simply trying to start up with the religious community. The Rabbonim can’t be criticized for refusing to attend. I’m certainly not a rabbi and I wouldn’t attend either.