A halachic ruling by the Gaon Rabbi Meir Stern, the rabbi of the settlement of Meron, published today (Tuesday), prohibits the holding of Lag BaOmer lightings in the Rashbi's Zion before 4 a.m. on Sunday, in order to prevent desecration of Shabbat by security forces and public transportation operators.
As revealed in Haredim10, in his letter - under the title 'Da'at Torah for Lag BaOmer that falls on Saturday' - Rabbi Stern calls for postponing the start of transportation from across the country to 12:00 AM, instead of the currently scheduled time - 10:00 PM.
The Rabbi Datra adds and writes that it must be arranged, in coordination with the head of the security forces who will secure those coming to Meron before Shabbat, that all the police officers arrive before Shabbat - and that places to sleep and Shabbat meals must be arranged for them, in order to prevent their arrival during Shabbat, thereby desecrating Shabbat.
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The rabbi of the settlement further states that "the management of Moshav Meron is obligated not to allow any desecration of the Sabbath that does not involve the protection of life, in all tent locations, etc.".
As reported in Haredim10, in a special meeting held on Wednesday at the Rebbe of Bayan, with the participation of Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich, an agreement was reached between the police and the Hasidic community that holds the right to light the first candle on the Rashbi's grave, according to which the police will prevent desecration of Shabbat during the Lag BaOmer celebration in Meron.
The meeting was attended, in addition to Commissioner General Rabbi Rabinowitz, by the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places, Rabbi Rami Barachiah, and the Director General of the Holy Places, Yosef Schweinger.
At the meeting, the Rebbe spoke strongly about the sanctity of Shabbat and Sabbath observance.
The police commissioner and rabbi pledged that if they delay the lighting, there will be no desecration of Shabbat by police officers in Meron. The two promised that they would be in the field on Shabbat to ensure this.
At the meeting, it was agreed that the central lighting of the Bayan Hasidic lamp will begin at 1:15 a.m.
The police said after the meeting: "Following the meeting between the Police Commissioner and the Police Rabbi with the Rebbe of Bayan, it was agreed that the first lighting will begin at 1:15 AM. Following the delay in lighting, the police will be able to postpone some of the preliminary preparations, thus reducing the desecration of the Sabbath that is involved in securing the public coming to Meron.".
