A welcome announcement

Posted

Issue of July 16, 2010/ 5 Av, 5770

It would presumptuous of us to assume that the Eida Charedis in Yerushalayim takes any step in reaction to public opinion; more presumptious still to imagine the rabonim who comprise that ruling body of the Charedi community in Israel care less about opinions here in New York, but anyone who has felt even a twinge of aggravation over increasingly violent street protests in Israel concerning chilul Shabbos, grave desecration, real or imagined, or anything else, can feel good about a public announcement today that has been a long time coming. It is perhaps perfectly timed before Tisha B’Av to relieve hard feelings between groups of Jews who have the Torah in common and, seemingly, little else.

As reported Wednesday on the news site TheYeshivaWorld.com, the Eida Charedis, led by HaGaon Rav Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss, shlita, released a forceful Kol Koreh, a public announcement, concerning the hafganos, local parlance for the street demonstrations that in the view of many, many Jews have caused widespread chilul Hashem seen around the world.

That community’s leaders now forbid children and unmarried students from taking part in demonstrations. Restless young people have been a primary source of manpower for the unrest and much of the violence has been blamed on young people somehow out of control. Now, in a community that places primary importance on obedience to rabbinic authority, they are forbidden from becoming involved.

“The Kol Koreh also warns against any acts of violence, such as stone throwing — because it can cause serious injury, and warns against making fires” the report said.

Late is usually better than never and so it is in this case. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens, but critics, including this editorial page, can no longer complain that nothing forceful has been said about the ongoing, disgraceful violence. We greatly welcome this crucial development.

In a similar spirit of ahavas chinam — brotherly love — before Tisha B’Av, when we remember too well the consequences of bad feelings between Jews, this week’s issue of The Jewish Star spotlights the late Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Harav Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l, who was remembered in Queens last week at a Shloshim, the 30-day anniversary of his death.

Also this week, in the issue before Tisha B’Av, David Seidemann examines the importance of caring for others in an essay called Goodbye to the Arch of Titus. And we bring to you an in-depth conversation about Kinot for Tisha B’Av from a foremost authority on the subject, Rabbi Zvi Hersh Weinreb, who will once again reprise his role as host of a live webcast from the Young Israel of Woodmere.

Perhaps most powerfully of all, Rabbi Avi Billet offers a contemporary reason to mourn on Tisha B’Av — more of a call to attention, really, but one we highly recommend, particularly to parents of young children.

Have an easy and meaningful fast.