(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)
The Chief Rabbinate Council met to discuss the recent High Court of Justice decision to reject a petition from Minister Aryeh Deri, thereby permitting grocery stores to operate in Tel Aviv on Shabbos. The rabbonim called it a slippery slope towards damaging Kedushas Shabbos throughout the country.
“It’s a pity that liberalism is severely damaging one of the main symbols of Judaism and society in Israel,” the council’s decision said.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Shabbos Law, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel held a monthly discussion on Shabbos observance.
HaGaon HaRav Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita, a former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Tel Aviv took part in the discussion, and elaborated on the attempts to prevent the chilul Shabbos in public areas in Tel Aviv.
The Council of the Chief Rabbinate wrote, “The Council of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel discussed the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the opening of businesses on Shabbos and expresses its regret and astonishment at this decision.
“The fact that the judges’ decision was based on their way of life expresses more than anything else that this is not a matter for trial, but a question of worldview.”
“The decision is a slippery slope to damage the sanctity of Shabbos throughout the country, and the founders of the state understood the importance and value of Shabbos, and it is a shame that liberalism severely harms one of the central symbols of Judaism and society in Israel.
“Shabbos – the sign of the covenant between the Creator and his people, is one of the expressions of the uniqueness of the people of Israel, to meet needs in the face of these values is not a legal question.”
“The Council calls upon the Government of Israel and all representatives of the public and members of the Knesset to restore the Shabbos to their hearts, to act and to legislate laws that will preserve the honor of the Jewish flag for generations – the holy Shabbos.”
The Chief Rabbinate Council also authorized Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Stern Shlita, and Chief Rabbi of Beersheva HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Deri Shlita, to initiate a dialogue with all the Rabbis of Israel in order to formulate joint protest measures.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Liberalism is Hellenism in today’s society. Seems like the battle we won at Chanukah is being stirred up again by a Hellenistic supreme court.
Let us hope that Jewish values will prevail and not violence.