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Shabbos is the yahrzeit of Rochel Imeinu and thousands of mispallalim have visited the tziyun in PA (Palestinian Authority) occupied Beit Lechem on Thursday night and erev shabbos. Police closed Kever Rochel on erev shabbos at 14:30 and it will reopen on motzei shabbos at 19:30. Shabbos in Yerushalayim ends at 17:31. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yonah Yechiel Metzger called on mispallalim not to arrive for at least three hours after shabbos ends to avoid benefiting from chilul shabbos.

Police have permitted 20 avreichim to remain in the tziyun over shabbos and they will be sleeping on mattresses on the floor and arrangements are being made for their seudas shabbos. Police stated that since the holy site is regularly close on shabbos, anyone trying to make their way to the tziyun on foot over shabbos will but turned back.

Police expect most mispallalim will be arriving on motzei shabbos. Egged has stepped up bus service to accommodate mispallalim.

Credits: Chaim Schvarcz – Kuvien Images – www.kuvien.com

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)