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Jerusalem Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Stern Shlita visited Machane Yehuda close to the beginning of Shabbos in the hope of encouraging store owners to shut earlier during the winter months when Shabbos begins so early.

Despite the noise in the media by so many expressing their opposition to store closures on Shabbos, Rabbi Stern visited the shuk close to the start of Shabbos and was warmly greeted by store owners, who indicated a willingness to heed to his request to close earlier. The rav explained to them by closing early enough and keeping Shabbos, he was confident that they would see a boost in their livelihood as a result.

The rav was accompanied by activists known as ‘מזהירי שבת’, who are out each Friday working to persuade the shuk store owners to close down in time for the holy day. Also taking part in the visit with the rav was Jerusalem Councilman Yochanan Weizman and the kashrus supervisor for the shul, Rabbi Yigal Shabtai.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)