A Committee for the Sanctity of Shabbos in Eretz Yisroel met
in Jerusalem on the 11th of Elul to discuss developments in
light of the aims currently being pursued by anti-religious
elements. The committee is comprised of rabbonim approved by
maranan verabonon. The anti-religious elements are
seeking to uproot the foundations of Yiddishkeit and
to trample the sanctity of Shabbos.
At the beginning of the meeting, the committee secretary
presented an extensive report about remarks attributed to the
Prime Minister and other figures to the effect that they plan
to operate public transportation on Shabbos and to enable the
opening of businesses on Shabbos.
The rabbinical committee expressed its sorrow over the
attempt to open a large shopping mall in Herzliah owned by
Yaakov Nimrodi's Hachsharat Hayishuv company, and also heard
of the warnings of Netanya rabbonim in respect to threats to
open a large store owned by Benny Gaon. At the meeting it was
related that the mayor of Netanya expressed her feelings that
she fears that the city will be unable to withstand the
pressure of other merchants to also open their businesses.
She asked to make every effort to prevent this dangerous
precedent.
The call to renew El Al flights on Shabbos was also
discussed. During the meeting the committee rabbonim spoke
with Chief Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau on the telephone, asking
for his immediate intervention to thwart Barak's "secular
revolution." This, he explained, would undermine the delicate
fabric of the relationship between religious and secular
circles, and wreak havoc on Yiddishkeit in the
country.
The committee members felt that if certain elements actually
try to cancel the status quo which has prevailed in the
country since the establishment of the state, the chareidi
and religious sectors will draw the correct conclusions and
not collaborate with any body lending a hand to the
destruction of Shabbos.
The rabbinical committee concluded that it will continue to
monitor developments and act in every instance in accordance
with the guidelines of maranan verabonon the
gedolei Yisroel.
The committee expressed its hopes that the Prime Minister
would give up his specious plans, the purpose of which is to
undermine everything precious to Torah-loyal Jewry.
