Chareidi MKs are questioning why announcing the petira of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon overrides Shabbos. They refer to the official announcements made on Shabbos to the media by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. They explain the rules of the coalition are clear as to when a public official may be mechalel Shabbos in an official capacity and announcing the death of an official is not a permitted case.
They add that the former prime minister’s condition was described as “extremely grave” before Shabbos began so his petira did not come as a surprise to anyone.
The chareidi parties feel the brazen chilul Shabbos in an official capacity is becoming all too commonplace and acceptable and it will lead to a continued deterioration of the state’s Jewish character.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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12 Responses
I NEVER KNEW CHAREDIM ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN ISRAEL KEEPING SHABBAT?????
I HATE ALL THIS SEPARATION.
WHY NOT SAY “THE SHOMERI SHABBAT JEWS WERE NOT HAPPY WITH….”
Reb matthew–the reason why it doesn’t say “shomrei shabbos jews” and instead uses charedim probably has something to do with who’s voicing the opposition to the chilul shabbos going on there.
I agree with the Haredim. Things are getting out of control in relation to the Zionists.
It is time we Haredim begin a campaign of massive Yerida out of the Zionistic Entity-State.
We will be welcome with open arms in Lakewood, New Square, Williamsburg, Monsey, Passaic, Borough Park.
What are we waiting for?
#1 It’s because the Bayis Yehudi MKs didn’t care enough about the chilul mshabbos to protest.
Why not? because the “Shomrei Shabbat” turn a blind eye when their politics or money isn’t at stake.
There’s a reason why we are called “Chareidim”
CORRECTED VERSION: First let me say I agree with you (Matthew) 100‰ that there is no need whatsoever for separation. I also agree with you that terms such as chareidi as well as dati l’umi, religious Zionists, etc. all serve to separate, albeit define, philosophy, hashgafah, etc. But why would ANY Shomer Shabbat NOT want to be called chareidi? Isn’t being a charad l’dvar HaShem a good thing; a goal towards which we all work and strive for? Litvish, chasidish, yekish, sefardi, etc. all define modes and styles of learning and to some degree approach to halachah. But chareidi is universal. The devisive term is the invention of the anti-Torah press and political left or right. But we don’t have to assume that is what is being said in the article. Certainly NO Shomer Torah u’mitzvot MK or Israeli citizen feels the chillul Shabbat was justified. So chareidi means all of us. Proof being no names were mentioned.
DEAR MATTHEW2001,
TRUE THE SHOMER SHABBOS JEWS
ARE UPSET BUT THE CHAREIDI MKs ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT QUESTIONED IT.
I FIND THAT THE NON CHAREIDI MKs ARE WOOSSIES WHEN IT COMES TO CONDEMNING THEIR NON RELIGIOUS PEERS…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew, have you asked the “Religious Zionist” MKs if they are similarly “unhappy”?
The “Religious Zionists” generally try to avoid going against the state because Zionism is an integral part of their faith.
Think about it: if part of your definition of being Jewish includes being a Zionist (never mind that the two, lihavdil, are completely paradoxical) then how can you go against Zionism?
The article states it was Chareidi MKs, not “Religious-Zionist” MKs. Evidently, then, it was only the Chareidi MKs and not the “Religious-Zionist” MKs. Of course, the “Religious-Zionist” MKs, too, keep Shabbos (within the parameters of their faith) and would likely not have either made that phone call on Shabbos. And this action may have pained them too. But we don’t know that.
May Hashem bring the true geulah and remove all idolatry from the world, BB”A.
You hate what separation? There’s no such thing as a Shomer Shabbat Jew and a non-Shomer Shabbat Jew. Being shomer shabbat is not an option that some choose to keep and some choose not to. The real Jewish religion is not a democracy. Go back to America, or stay there.
i doubt most charedim care about this – i thought charedim oppose a Jewish State – if so, why do we seek to maintain a status quo Judaism? instead we should be fighting for religious freedom, so we can live our lives without the zionists meddling into our affairs
Kolemes: It is fair to say that prior to the formation of the State, the vast majority of observant Jews were not in favor of it. Two main reasons: Jews were living in relative peace with their neighbors in Turkish or British governed Palestine. They were afraid that forming a Jewish state would ruffle their feathers (aka waking a sleeping dog). The second reason, noted by many scholars was the prohibition to establish a Jewish sovereigntybefore the coming of Moshiach. The split between the Agudah (the old establishment/settlement and the Aidah HaChareidis was whether one should deal with a newly formed state. But ALL Torah observant have the right, the privilege to be called chareidim.
to shuali: i understand that there is a difference between the approach of the Eidah and the Agudah as to how to end the Jewish State, but the charedim of the Agudah should be trying to use their influence within the Kneset to end the Jewish State and protect their own interest, not to impose their will on others – we don’t seek to use government for religious coercion – certainly not in any non-status quo issue – but when it comes to status quo we should pick our battles – how does it affect our community if the secular choose to announce sharon’s death on shabbos?