Sharansky compromise at the Kottel • "We will not deviate from the halacha"

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky came this weekend to the Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, to present his proposal to the arrangement at the Western Wall. At first Sharansky said that he condemned the provocations, and to act with the Wall under the law and in accordance with the court's ruling.

Rabbi Rabinovich explained to Sharansky, that the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora express disgust of the requirements and provocations to hurt the sanctity of the Western Wall. "I will fight with all my heart and soul against any harm towards the sanctity of the Western Wall, and I will not allow deviating in any way from the custom of the place, as is the case for decades. Any requirement to divide the prayer plaza or set hours you will encounter stiff resistance and bring civil war," he declared.

Rabbi Rabinowitz also stated: "I am committed to work with all my might to prevent the transformation of the Western Wall, perhaps the only place which unites every Jew, to a field war between fanaticisms to another. Every change they try to present will only deepen the polarization among the people, and bring additional requirements of all kinds of factions and communities. The stones of the Kottel can tell us what the price of fanaticism is; they still remember the warmth of the fire flames which fueled fanaticism of the inhabitants of Jerusalem - against one another. Opposite these numinous stones we are commanded not to err again."

Sharansky made clear that he had no intention of harming the Western Wall and change it whatsoever. His proposal relates to the existing arrangement which has been ten years, working in the archaeological garden near the Dung Gate, which is not part of the known Western Wall plaza, and his request to expand it.

Rabbi Rabinowitz responded that observant Judaism is opposed to any deviation from the halacha there, and everywhere else in the world. "I want that the Wall will unite the people as in the past, according to local customs and not deviate from the Jewish law. However, we must examine with the Gedolei Yisrael and the Chief Rabbinate whether to sanctify war to the proposal which refers to arch Robinson which is not part of the synagogue of the Wall, if indeed this solution will be acceptable to all and will keep the dispute from the Western Wall – it will prevent further provocations and hatred."

He also pointed out to him that they must carefully examine the proposal and its implications about archeology, building permits, and political and security sensitivity.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!