The Chief Rabbinate of Israel convened today (Sunday) for a special meeting, during which it discussed the High Court of Justice's decision from last week - regarding the demonstration in Habima Square in Tel Aviv.
During the meeting, the council expressed a vigorous protest against the very fact that the discussion was held in the midst of the Sabbath, and against the harm to its sanctity and status in the public sphere in the State of Israel.
In its decision, the Chief Rabbinate Council emphasizes that observing the Sabbath constitutes a cornerstone of the Jewish identity of the State of Israel.
Below is the decision of the Chief Rabbinate Council as read during the meeting:
"The Chief Rabbinate of Israel protests the hearing held in the midst of the Holy Sabbath in the Supreme Court regarding the number of demonstrators allowed to participate in the demonstration that is scheduled to take place on Saturday night.".
This case is not an isolated case of disrespect for the observance of the Sabbath in the public sphere. Anyone who harms this holy day harms the entire spiritual heritage of the people of Israel. The Sabbath not only adds holiness to the people of Israel but also adds content and life as a foundation for the six days of work – the purpose of the work of heaven and earth.
Anyone who tramples on the sacred things of the nation denies the fundamental and existential idea of the people of Israel and the State of Israel as a Jewish state.
The more serious thing is the cynical way in which they presented things, as if there was an important need for this because of 'pikuach nefesh.' Deciding whether something is in terms of 'pikuach nefesh' is a Torah decision that must be examined by the authorities responsible for it. Not everyone who wants to take will come and take for themselves the ability to decide in areas that are not under their authority.
The scale of values of Torah Judaism is to put the issue of human life at the top, it stands above 'freedom of demonstration.' This is not the first time that this body has decided to crown itself with the crown of Torah and tries to dictate halakhah in Israel. The offensive tone in which they presented the struggle to preserve the public space in matters of leaven as if it were a 'diet' and the current decision that protests against it are 'pikuach nefesh', indicate a worldview that is very far from Judaism.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated episode in our lives. They are exploiting their position to outline their worldview in the basic principles on which the State of Israel was founded.
"Only thanks to the Sabbath did the nation exist and, God willing, will it exist.".
