The Vishnitzer Rebbe Shlita spoke out harshly during a tisch against those who feel it is permissible to visit Har Habayis.

The rebbe spoke about the severity of the prohibition against doing so, mentioning that despite this over recent years rabbonim and followers find one reason or another to permit such actions. The rebbe was harsh in addressing the right-wing Jews who are especially attached to this trend, and their efforts to persuade chareidim to follow their example as if their actions are permissible.

Speaking in the main Vishnitz Beis Medrash to thousands of chassidim on Friday night, the rebbe used the forum to remind chassidim of the prohibition to visit Har Habayis at any time and under any conditions.

The rebbe spoke on the yahrzeit of the author of the sefer Bat Ayin, explaining to participants of the tisch when the Bay Ayin visited Yerushalayim, some tried to persuade him to visit Har Habayis to daven there, explaining that today, without the Beis HaMikdash there is a different level of kedusha.

The Bay Ayin responded the rebbe explained “If there is kedusha, then it is prohibited to visit and if there is not kedusha today, then there is no reason to visit.”

The rebbe lamented that today “There are those who find all kinds of excuses to permit visiting Har Habayis, to be lenient on this matter today, but it is absolutely prohibited. Those who do visit bring tuma to Har Habayis and compromise the kedusha of the site.”

The rebbe spoke of the “Reform women who wish to desecrate the Kosel every month”, equating their actions with those who feel they may visit Har Habayis.

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

Four years ago on Sukkos, President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukka of Maran HaGaon 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)