Jerusalem – Thousands of haredim took part in a demonstration in Jerusalem’s Shabbat Square Sunday night to protest a decision to establish a state authority which will be responsible for the tomb of Simeon bar Yochai in Mount Meron. Among the protesters were prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbis and leaders.
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The mass rally was fairy calm until dozens began to target passing vehicles in the Mea Shearim neighborhood.
The rioters tried to attack Egged buses and hurled stones at a police cruiser. A Jerusalem police force eventually arrested five of the rioters. Leaders of the Eda Haredit condemned the riots at the end of the rally, stressing they were part of a fringe group.
Earlier this month, the government received a bill by the Tourism Ministry for the establishment of a new governmental authority which will be in charge of Simeon bar Yochai’s tomb. Members of the Eda Haredit are opposed to what they describe as a “Zionist takeover” of the holy site.
it is seedy isnt it? true there are issues with meron in terms of infrastructure, but the state will turn it into a national symbol and will defile it like they do the Kosel RL.
they stole every holy place from us – please leave Meron for inzerer heimisher yidden – this is part of zionist imperialism – similar they want to move uman to yerushalayim against the will of reb nachman, zy”a, so too they want to be metamei Meiron
All of the Rishinim that found out about the existance of the Zohar Hakodesh, and most of our early Achronim, did not hold that the it was written by Reb Shimon Bar Y. It was actually written by a group of Mikobolim during the days of Rashi.
What have they got to protest? The fact that המדינה תשליט סדר at Miron?
Or perhaps they are angry at the fact that, at long last there will be some sort of health and safety precautions there, to say nothing of proper sanitary facilities instead of the סירחון המתמיד that has been the case hitherto?
Or is that all those thousands of bochurim and yungerleit were just looking for an excuse to get out of seder and to make mischief in the streets?
I know where I would put my money!
What is the problem here? Am I missing something? I understand how important the Rashbi is to everyone… but shouldn’t his tomb BE taken care of by authorities? Protected? Restored? Etc? Why protest it?
Is there another back-story to all of this, that I am not aware of? The article didn’t say! They just said the protesters were protesting the “Zionist” takeover of the grave. But surely they can’t be upset because the Israeli authorities want to properly take care of the tomb, correct?
They are only interested in taking it over to make money from the visitors. As soon as the haredim get smart and boycot it, and it operates at a loss, the govt. will be only too happy to offload it.
Was an example of a peaceful protest, no ston throwing, no fighting with police.
Partial credit goes to the police, they’re usually who try to incite some unrest, they were in a better mood yesterday, they kept to themselves till after protest was over.
Anything that is left to inzere heimeshers usually turns into a big mess and infighting among different groups, as is the case in Meron. It is a good thing the government can take it over and establish some standards and quality before it completely deteriorates. It is so out of hand; the government needed to step in.
There’s plenty of non-frum stuff going on at Meron on Lag Baomer already. A “state takover” will not change anything.
It’s interesting, looking at the photos, not a Litvishe guy to be seen. I guess the Litvaks can have their haircuts wherever they want…
Get a life and go back to shiur. Shimon Bar Yochay doesn’t belong exclusively to haredim. He is an important part of our shared culture and history. If haredim can’t maintain his grave-site in a manner befitting his stature, then step aside and let the government take over.