Another story for the books. Henri’s, located in Sarona Market is the only eatery in that venue with a hashgacha. It is situated opposite the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. The other stores do not have a hashgacha as they open on Shabbos.
While many businesses are fined for opening on Shabbos, this story is the opposite as Henri’s was fined NIS 3,500 for closing on Shabbos. According to owner Rami Bar-Lev, who spoke to Channel 2 News, he was fined after deciding to close the store on Shabbatot. He admits his contract with the location states the store will open on Shabbos but the owner of this branch does not want to open and he requested not to open on Shabbos. Now he is faced with a costly battle that seeks to compel him to open on Shabbos.
Ofir Lefferman, 42, owns the branch that was fined. “I am not a religious person and not one that undertakes major battles for Shabbos. All I wanted is to remain closed on Shabbos. There is a law in this country and that supersedes the contract” he explained.
“The owners were promised verbally that this would not be a problem. I, in my naiveté relied on their promise to Rami. We are people who abide by one’s word, more so than in writing. We set up the business and invested tens of thousands of shekels. Suddenly, it appears there is a problem. We are getting inundated with emails, threats and difficult phone conversations, letters from attorneys about our failure to honor our agreement and fines for not opening as many hours as promised” he explains.
Bar-Lev turned to the operators of the venue and learned there are other businesses that also remained closed on Shabbos. “Those businesses that did so from the beginning received permission to remain closed on Shabbos. After learning of this I questioned ‘why not the same for me’, telling them I am going to be kosher [and therefore compelled to close on Shabbos]”.
Shortly after closing for Shabbos the lawyer’s letter informing him he broke his contract arrived, informing him he is being fined NIS 3,500. “We are continuing to close on Shabbos and in the meantime, this is the only fine we have received”.
The Sarona Market sits on 8,700 square meters and houses 90 stores, booths and various restaurants. The project was developed by Gindi Investments.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Henri’s Facebook page)
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7 Responses
The headline is misleading. This is not a religious battle. It’s a contractual dispute.
The article makes no sense. A “fine” is a penalty levied by a government court for breach of the government’s statutes. There is no statute (yet) requiring a store to be open on Shabbos.
It sounds more like a private suit for breach of contract, which involves contractual penalties and damages. One can avoid such “fines” by not breaking the contract. While in a Jewish state, such a contract (requiring on to open a business on Shabbos) would be void as being against public policy (similar to contracts to commit crimes), Medinat Yisrael is merely a state with many Jews, not a Jewish state.
where is the Rabbanut/Chief Rabbis?? What a shanda!!
Zionists will soon ban bris mila as well, no Jew should join this army of pagans called the IDF and defend this avoda zorah worshipping government.
Why did he sign the contract?
First time I agree with Charlie. But other stores are closed. By his us harassment
Goodness
עולם הפוך ראיתי