Police on Monday morning 10 Cheshvan 5774 arrested 13 Jews on Har Habayis for davening and daring to sing the Hatikvah national anthem. Among those taken into custody was Rabbi Micha Feld, the mora d’asra of Beit Choron. The suspects are also charged with pulling out the national flag.

The Jewish visitors to Har Habayis report that the day began with difficulty as police made them wait one hour before permitting onto the holy area. When they were finally permitted onto the area they were broken into smaller groups by police with each group being a maximum of seven people. A policeman was assigned to personally escort each group to make sure they do not attempt to daven.

The mispallalim, who visit in line with adhering to the Halachic restrictions and preparation required, explain policemen were bothersome as they repeatedly reminded them they may not daven.

For some, it became too irritating and they began to recite the Shema. Some sand Hatikvah. Police were quick to act, fearing an violent Islamic response, arresting ten people, including Rabbi Micha Feld of Beit Choron.

Clearly as the police exhibit a zero tolerance police for any Jewish tefilos there is a growing number of Jews determined to do just that on the holy site.

It must be noted that according to the Poskei Hador one is absolutely forbidden to visit the Temple Mount, and there is an Issur Kares for one that goes there.

Four years ago on Sukkos, Israeli President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukkah of Maran Hagon Rav Elyashiv ZATZAL, where Rav Elyashiv called on the President to prevent Jews from visiting Har HaBayis, stating it is an act that that is viewed as extremely provocative by the goyim. Maran stated everything possible must be done to avoid a religious war, and the provocateurs are playing with fire.

Maran is quoted as explaining to the president that Halacha forbids going onto Har HaBayis but today, it is more than this, it is an act that may lead to a religious war and bloodshed.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)