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8 Adar 5759 - Feb. 24, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Meiron Facilities to Undergo Extensive Renovation

by A. Zisman

The Government has given the green light for a large-scale renovation project at the kever of Shimon Ben Yochai at Meiron. The plan calls for the allocation of NIS 21 million to develop the area surrounding this landmark spot.

The Ministry of Land Development has so far invested half a million NIS on the project. At the direction of Deputy Minister Rabbi Meir Porush, the renovations will be carried out under the halachic specifications of the rav of Meiron, thereby avoiding any danger of grave desecration.

The government's decision followed an inter-departmental agency inspection of the site, which concluded that the existing facilities are grossly under-equipped. Close to one million people make the annual Lag BaOmer pilgrimage to Meiron. The agency determined that NIS 21 million was required to solve the problem. Plans call for the project to be completed in three years.

The master blueprint was first presented to Deputy Minister Rabbi Porush two months ago. Among its features are two overpasses for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, parking lots, commercial facilities, a broadening of existing roads and the enlarging of the area adjoining the kever in order to comfortably accommodate 1,000 worshipers.

Prior to the cabinet session, Rabbi Porush convened the relevant parties to discuss their recommendations. Among them were Rav Stern, rav of Meiron, the head of Asra Kadisha and Rav Menashe Eichler, Asra Kadisha board member, along with other concerned groups.


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