Last week, newly-appointed Minister of Religious Services (Shas) Yitzchak Vaknin arrived at the Tiveria home of Mekubal HaRav Dov Kook.
According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, Rav Kook raised the matter of the tziyun of Elisha ben Avuyah (אֱלִישָׁע בֶּן אֲבוּיָה), which is located in Haifa, near a church, and there is a crucifix at the entrance to the tziyun and one is compelled to lower one’s head, to bow, in order to enter as the entrance is so small.
Rav Kook explained that two-three weeks before the petira of the former minister of religious services, David Azoulai Z”L, he visited with the minister to explain this very same issue. Rav Kook stated Azoulai acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and agreed something must be done.
Now, Rav Kook is calling on the new minister to address the matter by instructing his office to examine problem.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
elisha ben abuyah was likely an early Christian; why the tumult. if you feel that you should not bow, don’t enter his burial site.
Isnt alisha ben avuya “Acher”? Why are people interested in going to his kever ( unless for historical purposes)???
The Kikar Shabbos site has the video of their conversation (and updated the story on their site), and the mekubal clearly says Elisha haNavi, not Elisha ben Abuyah.
Also, the correct spelling in the headline is “Crucifix”, not “Crucifex”.
and the basis for where the navi or r. meir’s rebbe is buried is ????? most claimed mekomot of kevarim have NO MESORAH WHATSOEVER; some rabbi felt kedusha emanating. i would hope such kedusha emanates throughout Eretz Yisroel, especially from the kedoshim who Mosru ess nafsham al kiddushat haShem.
The issue is not who is buried in that grave or not. The issue is having to Bow one’s head to the image when entering the narrow doorway.
“Dr” “Yidd”
Most of the time, the “some rabbi” you’re referring to is the Arizal. So you may want to speak of him with a bit more reverence.
Definitely malpractice on your part.