Avraham S., an avreich from Tzfat was arrested by police on erev Shabbos Parshas Mishpotim. Avraham plays music over a loudspeaker mounted to the roof of his home on erev Shabbos as is done in many areas of Yerushalayim, adding to the erev Shabbos atmosphere before candle lighting. According to a Kikar Shabbos report, a neighbor of Avraham’s filed a complaint with police last month regarding the playing of erev Shabbos music.
On this part Friday, shortly before Shabbos, police arrived at his time and asked him to cut the music, to turn off the loudspeaker. Avraham stated that he has a permit that permits him to play the music, adding he sent a copy of the permit to police a number of days earlier.
Moriah, Avraham’s wife, is quoted by Kikar Shabbos explaining the events that occurred on erev Shabbos.
“A policeman arrived at our home erev Shabbos and asked how one accesses the roof. The policeman explained he wanted to turn off the loudspeaker. I explained to him how to get to the roof. My husband asked ‘how do you just enter a home like this?’ She explained their children were quite alarmed by the policeman’s presence. My husband asked the policeman his name. The policeman asked my husband to show his identity card. My husband refused, saying ‘Shabbos has begun and I must head to shul’.
“At this point, the policeman pushed him and began beating him. The children screamed and cried ‘don’t hit abba’ but to no avail. He was arrested and brought to the police station. Even after Shabbos they did not permit me to speak with him. They transported him on Shabbos, taking him to the Tel Monde detention facility”.
Tzfat police responded to the report” “The avreich is being charged with assaulting an officer. His wife was prohibited from speaking with him. He may however speak with his attorney. He will be released soon”.
Moriah insists Avraham never lifted a hand to the policeman.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
In seems like both sides could have handled the situation differently. There is no reason why a yid needs to blare music from outdoor speakers eruv shabbos. How does this contribute to kovod shabbos when the neigbors hate it and call the police. At the same time, it seems like the policeman responding to the complaint should have used a bit more discretion and simply cut the wires to the speaker without arresting the guy in front of his family. How about a bit of respect on BOTH sides. Over the long term, this new “minhag” of blaring music should be banned, whether it be evuv shabbos or from a mosque at 5:30 in the morning.
What would the Mishtara do if they lived here in America and their non-Jewish neighbors were blaring their disgusting music at all hours? Answer: Probably nothing. So, why must they treat their brother like garbage? Answer: I wish I knew.
In America police brutality isn’t tolerated, but in Israel it’s the norm. What a shame.
This article is confused and confusing. It starts out saying he plays music on Shabbos. Presumably it’s supposed to say erev Shabbos. “Police arrived at his time”? He refused to show his identity card because Shabbos had already begun — so wasn’t the music shut off by that time?
I also don’t understand what gives anyone the right to blast music to the neighbors at any time. When my non-Jewish neighbors blast music, I call the cops (not that they do anything!). How is this situation different?
I live in Jerusalem and they play this music so loud that when it starts it frightens me and hurts my ears. The ‘music’ is distorted and not clear. I have complained but they think they are doing a BIG mitzvah – but in reality they are most likely mazikim.
The makor for this stupidity is in shulcan orech where it states that they would blow a shofar erev shabbos. But a shofar is not so loud and does not last that long as a loud speaker next to your house.
I can understand some one calling the police since also suffer much from it.