We begin with a reminder from rabbonim, who urge anyone traveling to another city for Shabbos to permit sufficient time for the unexpected, which may include a breakdown or accident.
This past erev Shabbos, 5 Kislev 5774 was a tense one for many travelers as the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway heading in the direction of Yerushalayim came to a standstill from Latrun. It was learned that a fatal accident involving a cyclist was the cause and due to the severity of the accident and all that surrounds such an incident, traffic on Friday afternoon towards Yerushalayim came to a total halt.
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafne began receiving calls from panicked motorists and bus passengers, who feared that they would be stranded on the highway for Shabbos. Gafne phoned the head of Israel Police’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, pleading that if possible, open a lane to free up the congestion towards permitting the many frum riders to get to Yerushalayim for Shabbos.
The response was almost immediate and traffic began moving, albeit very slowly. Many motorists and bus passengers reported arriving in Yerushalayim shortly after candle lighting.
Hamodia reports that some of the passengers explain they boarded a bus for Yerushalayim in Bnei Brak at 13:30, in plenty of time for Shabbos. Candle lighting in the capital was 16:08, however traffic simply came to a halt near Latrun and they were stuck for a long period of time, with nowhere to go.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
2 Responses
I’ve been in that situation. All one can do is pull over, lock your possessions in the car, and hope it’s still there, unmolested, after Shabbos. And then start walking. For those who by necessity must push the envelope time-wise, it’s a good idea to always keep a pair of comfortable walking shoes in the trunk.
It seems that the operating policy of Israel Police is in the event of a vehicular accident the highest priority is to close the road. Doesn’t anyone think this should change to clearing the road?