MERON (VINnews) — Moni Matuk, Director General of the Religious Ministry, is planning to make dramatic changes to the site of the Kever HaRashbi, which will likely have a huge impact on future Lag B’Omer celebrations.
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Among the safety measures being considered: limiting the number of people to 20,000, and demolishing the bridge used by Kohanim.
According to Charedi website Kikar Shabbos, Matuk, who represents Religious Minister Matan Kahana, toured the compound in Meron Wednesday with safety consultant Rami Shemesh, as well as Yossi Schweiner and Yisrael Deri from the National Center for Holy Sites
They toured the entire area, including the surrounding compounds. Matuk first met with the “Committee of five” (which has been in charge of the site) near the tziun, then visited the Toldos Aharon compound, and Buskila family compound.
He reportedly told the group that he wants to limit the number of people to 20,000 at any given time, with a high turnover rate, to accommodate large numbers, without allowing crowds to exceed capacity.
Shemesh wants to move people away from the tziun, saying “celebrations should not take place on the mountain itself in the tziun compound, but an open area below that is specially adapted [to accommodate large numbers].”
He also mentioned the possibility of dividing each group according to their specific Chassidus.
In addition, Matuk requested the demolition of the large bridge at the entrance to the tziun, specially designed for kohanim to enter without becoming tamei. Despite objections from Deri and Schweiner, Matuk insisted that “a special bridge is not required for 10 kohanim.”
They also discussed eliminating the Ichud Hatzalah caravan beneath the tziun, despite that area being used as a medical emergency center throughout the year.
At one point they noticed someone taking pictures and asked him to stop (even though it was public property), saying “within half an hour the photos will be on all the [news] websites.”
The Religious Ministry is taking control of the site for the Lag B’Omer festivities, with plans for dramatic safety changes, following the horrific tragedy which took place last year.
Forgive me, but where does it say anywhere in Tanach, or gemara, or Shulchan Aruch, one single word about going to Meron or lighting a fire there. In many years of learning I have not seen one word about it.
I have never been there. I will never go there. That said, changes are needed. Perhaps a government agency ought to run this site, as the present arrangements are so dangerous.
boyaner Rebbe by the way grew up in America and is a fluent English speaker who went to MTA high school, hardly a fanaitic from Meah Shearim. This Kahana is a rasha merusha.
They also want to steal the lighting ceremony from the bayiona reba and give it to a dati leumi rabbi. Exactly why is that safer?
And why only one lighting ceremony unless they mean one at a time? But why can’t bayione light the first night and toldas Aron the second night ?