(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Dovid Lau spoke out using harsh words in his condemnation of persons who came to a shul in which Attorney General Dr. Avichai Mandelblit was reciting Kaddish for his mother to interfere with his recitation of Kaddish following Kiddush Levana. The protesters explain they belong to an organization called “The Right to Shout” (“זכות הצעקה”) and their actions are indeed legitimate, covered by freedom of speech.

One protester, Yishai Hadas, told Walla News that the organization has been in contact with the attorney general’s office all year and he has not bothered to get in touch with them. Therefore, they decided to bring their protest to his Petach Tikvah shul.

Rav Lau stated, “There was a time, that even those persons who are not counted among frequent visitors to shul realized the kedusha of the place and knew how to act but sadly, today this is not the case”. The rav added the events that occurred on motzei Shabbos, directed against Mandelblit, were in essence a Chilul Hashem and there is no justification for such action, disturbing and interfering with a person reciting Kaddish for his mother.

Joining in was Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotevely, who added a shul is not the time or place for such behavior, regardless of the reason. She added freedom of speech does not permit one to act as they did at a shul during davening.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)