The rav of Kehillas Dushinsky in Beit Shemesh arrived in the Jerusalem home of Eida Chareidis Ravaad HaGaon HaRav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita on erev Shabbos Ki Sisa 5774 following the ravaad’s resignation earlier in the week. Rav Sternbuch resigned due to the widening split in the Eida surrounding the Golovnititz project in Beit Shemesh. Eida Chareidis Gavaad HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss Shlita remains firmly against the construction, as Asra Kadisha maintains the building compromises kevarim at that location. Rav Sternbuch however does not agree following his extensive probe into the matter, permitting the construction with the provision the work is carried out in compliance with his restrictions.

The Dushinsky faction is trying to mend fences and bring an end to the machlokes surrounding the construction project, working to persuade Rav Sternbuch to withdraw his resignation. Rav Sternbuch has been under widening attack from zealots in the Eida, including pashkavilim and protests against him for his psak Halacha.

Rav Weiss however remains firm in his position, that the construction must be halted for its compromises kevarim. He is equally firm in his calls to the tzibur not to take any action that compromises the kovod of R’ Sternbuch. Rav Weiss explained that he refused to sign the kol korei of Asra Kadisha for a protest at Kikar Shabbos last week for he felt doing so would be an insult to Rav Sternbuch.

Rav Weiss is also explaining that when he arrived at the Beit Shemesh protest last week and saw the podium, he decided to remain in the vehicle for he did not wish to have a hand in compromising Rav Sternbuch’s kovod. Rav Weiss added he was led to believe the event was to ask mechila from the niftarim and nothing more and when he realized it was a protest; he refused to get out of the car.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)