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29 Iyar 5767 - May 17, 2007 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Opposition to Orlev's Proposal to Introduce Legal Arrangements for Public Shabbos Desecration

By Eliezer Rauchberger

On Monday MK Zevulun Orlev (NRP) tabled a law that would maintain the prohibition against all industrial and commercial activity on Shabbos, but would permit various cultural and leisure activities, with limitations on their locations and noise levels. He also proposed operating public transportation to these places.

"A religious MK cannot lend a hand to permitting Shabbos desecration through legislation, even if the current situation is much worse than what it would be under the proposed law," said MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz in response to the proposal by MK Orlev.

Rabbi Ravitz added that he supports the second of Orlev's proposals that would make Sunday a day of rest because it would allow Jews who work hard all week to devote another day to Torah study. "It's a shame that Orlev is tying this law together with another law permitting public transportation to leisure and entertainment spots on Shabbos. It's clear that the first part cannot be backed and that Shabbos desecration cannot be legally sanctioned."

MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni also said, "We will oppose this law unflaggingly. It upsets the status quo and we will not lend a hand to Shabbos desecration and breaching the law."

Though the proposal calls for the use of minibuses with a maximum capacity of 12 passengers to "maintain the character of Shabbos" and keep noise levels down in largely religious areas, the move would be a major breach and would allow nationwide public transportation on Shabbos for the first time since the founding of the State.

The second of Orlev's proposals would make Friday a half day of work and Sunday a full day off. Orlev says the two proposals complement one another and would significantly reduce Shabbos desecration.

Various MKs including Rabbi Meir Porush, Minister Eli Yishai, David Tal (Kadima), Yitzchak Levy (NRP) and former MK Yigal Bibi (NRP) slammed the proposal, saying that it would lead to large-scale Shabbos desecration, and accused Orlev of "sacrificing the Shabbat on the altar of media ratings." Even figures from the secular left failed to embrace the proposal.

Several years ago the NRP advanced a similar proposal, but it was defeated in a preliminary reading by a majority vote of the coalition.

 

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