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12 Cheshvan 5765 - October 27, 2004 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
A Mass Demonstration Against Shabbos Desecration is Planned
by Yated Ne'eman Staff

A special steering committee overseen by maranan verabonon was set up to prepare for a mass demonstration in defense of Shabbos Kodesh initiated and organized by the Vaada Lemaan Kedushas HaShabbos Be'eretz Yisroel, a committee started by businessman and philanthropist Rabbi Refoel Halperin, founder and owner of the Optica Halperin chain.

The demonstration has been scheduled for Erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat (Monday January 10) at Yad Eliyahu in Tel Aviv. Thousands, led by gedolei Yisroel, are expected to show their pain over Shabbos desecration in the Holy Land and to speak of the need to keep the seventh day holy in all places around the country.

The steering committee will be run by the Vaada Lemaan Kedushas HaShabbos Be'eretz Yisroel, whose members include Chairman Rabbi Moshe Yadler, Rabbi Tzvi Odesser, Rabbi Yosef Aryeh Deutsch, Rabbi Hillel Weinberg, Rabbi Shmuel Binyomin Sofer, Rabbi Avrohom Yeshayohu Fine, Rabbi Amir Krispal, Committee General Secretary Rabbi Yitzchok Goldknopf and Secretary Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld.

At a meeting of the rabbinical committee last week Rabbi Halperin described the total shutdown of commercial life and the regulations in place in other countries during the non- Jews' festivals, which he mournfully compared to the large- scale Shabbos desecration in Eretz Yisroel at malls, retail stores and roadside outlets specially built for Shabbos desecration.

He spoke of the unforgettable battle waged by his late father, Rabbi Yaakov Halperin, the founder and builder of Zichron Meir in Bnei Brak and a close associate of the Chazon Ish zt"l. He organized efforts to close off the streets of Bnei Brak despite resistance by the Mandate police, and also to close the Nesher Factory in Haifa on Shabbos and Jewish holidays.

Following deliberations the committee decided to set up the steering committee. Rabbi Halperin pledged to sponsor a team of professionals that will operate according to the instructions of Rabbinical Committee directives. The representatives will periodically report to the Rabbinical Committee on progress made in organizing the demonstration.

Recently rabbonim and public figures announced they would like to join efforts to strengthen the walls of Shabbos in Eretz Yisroel. Leading businessmen, company directors and large factories directors have said they would take part in special activities to persuade other company and factory directors to close shop on Shabbos and holidays.

Other activists, such as Rabbi A. Goldman, Rabbi A. Shorak and Rabbi C. Glaubinsky also took part in the meeting.

 

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