In a rare occurrence, Tzfat Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Shlita during a Galei Yisrael Radio interview on Monday accused Atra Kadisha’s Rabbi Dovid Smeidal of duping the tzibur, using the Barzilai bones to advance his agenda.
The Rav stated that in accordance to Shulchan Aruch, it was permissible to move the bones at Barzilai, adding that Rashbi did the same, citing a Gemara in which Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai saw bones were bothering the tzibur and therefore, moved them, asking what Rav Smeidal and his colleagues have to say about this particular Gemara.
Rabbi Eliyahu called those who follow Rav Smeidal and his path fools, lamenting the “bitul Torah”, the “confrontation” and the “dispute that resulted” from their actions. He states that halacha specifically permits the moving of the bones, questioning Rav Smeidal’s motives and actions, launching a personal attack against him for causing such violence and machlokes, holding Rav Smeidal responsible. Rav Eliyahu adds “Rabbi Smeidal is a known agitator who promotes strife. Prominent rabbonim permitted moving the bones. Anyone following in his footsteps is simply a fool. I know for a fact that this man comes to rabbonim and tells them stories, misleading them into prohibiting matters”.
Rabbi Eliyahu continues, explaining “the list of prominent rabbonim does not persuade since if “Rav Elyashiv, who is a ga’on and a tzaddik and if he cited halacha after a decision we would all bow our heads and adhere to his words. But in this case, I do not believe Rav Elyashiv said “don’t move them” since he is a man of halacha and he did not cite halacha in the ruling. He is a man of halacha and not a politician, and that which is publicized in his name is simply a lie and a deception”.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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7 Responses
Please advise if YWN has an editorial board and who they are. what is the “Toeles” of printing what Rav Eliyahu said about someone else? why is this not Lashon Hara /Rechilus?
I wish someone could give me an answer to my question I repeated numerous times.
There are 2 parts to “piney atzomes”. It’s the removal and the reburial. Did the Israeli authorities question the removal beforehand? If so, how come the permissal is only coming out to the public now after the whole halabaloo? and if so, Did the Israeli Authorities contact any Chevra Kadisha or Rabbi to be present at the “removal” of the bones, so it be done kehalacha and in a respectful fashion? was there “shmurah” the last 24 hours by any Halachic authority to ensure no descecration is done to the bones, namely dna tests or other experiments? Was there “Shmurah” that the Israeli infamous Archeologists don’t hide any bones from being reburied, for they’re further interests?
Are the Posek Hador Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, The Goan Hador the Gava”d Shlit”a considered just as “those who follow rav Shmiedal and his path”? …And “fools” Chas vesholom? And does anyone really think they do not know the gemarah of Rashbi? (I don’t know about rav shmiedal). They sure know both, this gemara “AND” the gemara of “Chitutey Shichva” and the daas Torah (which understatingly could differ from one godol to another, v’eilu v’eilu divrei elokim chaim) is the one to be machria where to address this gemara and where that.
It seems to me that all these psokim aren’t coming out for the sake of approving the removal of the bones, they are rather for the disapproval of the ones who don’t think their way.
volvie, are out there?
To # 3
volvie or volvo, whatever his or her name is, is hidding under the bed in shame, after all the lashon hara the he or she spewed here againt the State of Israel.
Thanks for posting the article!
What I never understood is why in all such cases, doesn’t any of the “gedolim” write a written Psak a Teshuva explaining their reasoning. This would prevent all such gossip. My only answer I can think of, is that the Rabbi never said such things but words were put in and taken out of his mouth.
#1
your sounding a little like an apikores
# 6
Please define apikores!
Becuase I question YWN’s Editorial Board?! (if there is one).