A large majority of Israelis support a feeling of
kedushoh on Shabbos according to a special survey
commissioned in advance of the large Shabbos rally to be held
at Yad Eliyahu Stadium in Tel Aviv on 29 Teves.
The survey was conducted by M. Tzemach of Dachaf using
samples representing the entire adult Jewish population in
Israel and was intended to evaluate opinions and attitudes in
the general population on the desired character and
atmosphere of Shabbos.
Commissioned by the Shabbos Action Committee headed by Rabbi
Refoel Halperin, who initiated the world convention for
Shabbos observance, the survey analyzed public opinion on the
character and atmosphere of Shabbos, the desired form of
Shabbos observance and the consequences of opening malls on
Shabbos.
The survey results clearly indicated a large majority of
Israel residents want to preserve Shabbos observance and the
Shabbos atmosphere in Israel:
* Approximately two-thirds (68 percent) of the Jewish
population would like the atmosphere of Shabbos to be
felt— 89 percent of traditional Jews and 43 percent of
secular Jews.
* In the non-religious sector those who prefer to have the
Shabbos atmosphere preserved came to 59 percent in the 51-60
age category and 50 percent in the 41-50 age category; 75
percent of Jews born in Asian and African countries would
like the Shabbos atmosphere preserved compared to 57 percent
of Jews born in Eretz Yisroel.
* A large majority of the public—91 percent of
respondents and 85 percent of secular respondents—are
in favor of spending Shabbos at home with the family.
* More than half of the population (52 percent) thinks
opening malls in residential areas harms the Shabbos
atmosphere.
Meanwhile more and more consumers are signing a pledge not to
purchase from stores and retail chains open on Shabbos. Rabbi
Halperin says the list of signatures is growing from day to
day as thousands of Jews around the country express a firm
stance on the importance of preserving the sanctity of
Shabbos in Eretz Yisroel and the need for an uncompromising
battle against those who seek to breach the walls of Shabbos
to the point of publicly sanctioning chilul
Shabbos.
The goal is to gather at least a quarter of a million
signatures to present to store managers and retail chain
executives as a demonstration of the tremendous purchasing
power they stand to lose by opening for business on
Shabbos.
The pledge reads, "I hereby join the battle declared by
maranan verabonon gedolei Yisroel shlita for the sake
of the sanctity of Shabbos in Eretz Yisroel, saving those who
desecrate it in plain view by opening stores and retail
chains and I hereby give notice I will not enter or buy in
stores, malls or factories open on Shabbos."
The pledge is being disseminated around the country with the
help of individuals and public institutions. To receive a
copy of the pledge send a fax to the Action Committee at 03-
6153001.
