The Committee of Five, which now manages R' Shimon Bar
Yochai's gravesite in Meron at the behest of gedolei
Yisroel shlita with members representing various segments
of the religious sector, is continuing its efforts to
facilitate prayer and accommodate the needs of site visitors
throughout the year.
The committee is in the process of bringing in a new member,
Rabbi Ben Tzion Cooperstock, chairman of the Rashbi Hiluloh
organization, alongside two other representatives of the
Ashkenazi Hekdesh Committee, Rabbi Mordechai Yitzchok
Lichtenstein and Rabbi Mattisyohu Sharam, who serve as
members of the Committee of Five's Development Committee.
A list of conduct guidelines, based on instructions from the
rabbonim, is now posted at the site and inspectors
representing the Committee of Five ensure that fundraising
stands, which cause severe problems and reduce the area
available for prayer, are not set up.
Committee Chairman HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, who acts in
accordance with the directives of maranan verabonon,
is receiving encouragement and support in his efforts to
counter the handful of strident individuals who are
undermining the committee's work using means not sanctioned
by the Holy Torah.
Immediately after Succos massive renovation work on the
existing structure will begin without altering the current
structure. The project will be overseen by architect Mr. Uri
Miloslovsky and Rabbi Aharon Ostreicher.
Chareidi MKs contacted the Police Chief regarding a squabble
that broke out at the site last week as well as a series
efforts to undermine the arrangements put in place by the
Committee of Five, which has the backing of gedolei
Yisroel shlita. The free-for-all atmosphere at the
gravesite, which came to the fore with the quarrel that
erupted there early this week, is reinforced by various
gatherings claiming to have rabbinical support, bordering on
actual violence and clearly aimed at preserving footholds by
various interested parties seeking to challenge the new
arrangements the Committee of Five is implementing and which
will deprive them of munificent advantages.
