A decision is expected in the very near future regarding the future of the Bar Yochai Yeshiva in Ramat HaSharon.

Residents of the Morasha neighborhood of the community took their case to the district court, unwilling to tolerate the continued presence of the yeshiva in the Bar Yochai Shul. Almost 170 residents of the community are part of the court action to oust the yeshiva, filed about a year ago, citing unacceptable noise and odors as a result of the yeshiva’s presence.

An interim decision was recently reached by Justice Dr. Oded Mudrik, the vice president of the court, simply stating the building is zoned for a synagogue, not a yeshiva. He added that while residents have problems with the agreement signed between the shul and City Hall, from a legal standpoint the agreement is sufficient.

He feels a shul is not just a place to congregate for davening, but a location for Torah shiurim, even regularly scheduled shiurim in Torah, Mishnah, Gemara and other subject matter. But there is still a significant difference between using a shul to host shiurim and serving as a venue for a yeshiva.

The court has given the city a month to respond regarding contractual matters between the city and shul.

According to a report in the weekly BaKehilla, it appears that the yeshiva will be compelled to relocate to another location.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)