In response to complaints from bereaves families against peddlers seeking to “take advantage” of their emotional state, a number of MKs are pushing a bill that would put an end to the practice. The bill has already been approved by the Ministerial Law Committee.

MKs Ofir Shelah (Yesh Atid), Dr. Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid), Rabbi Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid), Yoel Rozbozov (Yesh Atid), Penina Tamanu-Shata (Yesh Atid), Elazar Stern (The Movement), David Tzur (The Movement) and Nissim Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi) are backing the bill.

The bill would prevent the sale of any items inside a beis hachaim that are not directly related to a funeral or burial without a permit from the Ministry of Religious Services. In addition, employees of a beis hachaim will wear nametags so that can be identified by visitors.

The MKs add that some mourners are ignorant of Jewish Law and when the merchants approach them they feel it is the proper thing to do so they buy items because they think it is the correct thing to do. .

The bill is the result of one woman who complained to Shelah, explaining in the cemetery she visits they sell amulets, candles, videos, postcards and give out business cards for companies that make matzeivos. Shelah decided to act on that complaint and he enlisted colleagues to push the bill forward.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)