Based on calls by HaRav Shmuel Halevi Wosner and HaRav Nissim
Karelitz shlita, the City of Bnei Brak is stepping up
enforcement of the closure of restaurants by 11:00 p.m.,
particularly during the days preceding Pesach.
Toward the end of last week HaRav Wosner and HaRav Karelitz
sent a letter to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor reading, "Since
many people roam the streets during this time of year,
including a large number of inshi delo maali Rachmono
litzlan who pose a threat to youths and the
kedushoh of the city, the solution is to enforce the
municipal ordinances.
"We are turning to you and asking that you do everything in
your power and not spare any effort to totally ban bringing
goods onto the sidewalks of the city, prevent peddling,
forbid loudspeakers and enforce the laws regarding closing
times for businesses. These laws are important to the
sanctity of the city and they should be enforced without
compromise all year long, and all the more so during the
Jewish holiday seasons."
Following the requests issued by HaRav Wosner and HaRav
Karelitz, Deputy Mayor Rabbi Avrohom Rubinstein convened a
meeting of city inspectors to brief them on enforcing the
11:00 p.m. ordinance. Rabbi Rubinstein said that as Pesach
approaches a special team of inspectors would make the rounds
of food establishments and those open past 11:00 would incur
heavy fines.
The Deputy Mayor offered encouragement to the head of the
inspection department, Mr. David Azoulai, who was beaten a
week earlier by a lawbreaker who had been fined and had his
car — which he was using as a storeroom for his
business — towed away by the municipality.
Rabbi Rubinstein said he would offer full backing to
municipal inspectors doing their job in accordance with the
law.
During the meeting he told inspectors that in order to
prevent sidewalks from being blocked to pedestrians,
displaying goods outside stores is permitted only with prior
permission from Mr. Azoulai.
