A burial cave beneath the Knesset was covered with wood to
allow kohanim to continue entering the building after
the Knesset Secretary and activists involved in burial issues
held a meeting to solve a tumah problem.
When the new wing of the Knesset was built, a burial cave,
determined to be Jewish, was found at the site. Following
efforts by MK Rabbi Meir Porush a decision was reached to
preserve the cave by sealing it off and not to destroy it
with a "rescue" dig. The buildings plans were altered
slightly so that today the burial cave lies in a courtyard
between some MK offices.
Recently MK Yitzchak Cohen (Shas) stepped into his office in
the new wing and was surprised to see that a large cornice
had been built and it extended over the burial cave. Via this
cornice, the tumah rising up skyward entered the
building. Since the entire Knesset building — both the
new and old sections — is connected, the entire
building became off-limits for kohanim. MK Cohen
rushed out of the building and proceeded to notify other
kohanim to leave the building, both MKs and Knesset
employees.
The Knesset administration began to seek a solution to the
problem that same day. Following the meeting attended by
burial askonim and a tour of the site, the Knesset
Secretary issued instructions to prevent tumah from
entering the building and by afternoon workers were already
covering the cave with wood.
A considerable number of kohanim hold posts at the
Knesset, including observant MKs.
