In a break from tradition due to coronavirus restrictions, the main bonfire lighting of the Eidah Charedis will take place on the rooftop of the Zupnik buildings and entrance to the buildings will be strictly prohibited.

Rabbi Yaakov Meir Schechter, one of the prominent rabbonim of the Breslev community and the president of the Keren Or Institutions, will be the one lighting the bonfire on Monday night at 8:30 p.m. Israel time.

The ceremony will be broadcast live and speakers will be set up in various points throughout the city in order to allow people to hear the ceremony without congregating in any one place.

Efforts are being made throughout the Eidah Charedis, in cooperation with the police, to limit the number of bonfires to a total of three. The government had considered placing another lockdown on the country for Lag Ba’Omer but instead opted for prohibiting all bonfires.

Over the past two months, numerous conflicts have occurred between the police attempting to enforce rules of public health and safety and extremist elements of the Eidah Charedis, often ending in violence and arrests. The Eidah is attempting to curb these situations in an effort for Lag B’Omer to pass without incident.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)