The difficult financial situation in a number of Arab
villages in the Galil has encouraged many Arabs to visit
graves of our tzaddikim to try their luck at
begging.
"Some of them grow beards, don black yarmulkes and
settle down near the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in
Meron. I met one of them, a Bedouin from Wadi Tsalmon, who
collects `only' about 40 shekel a day, since he is
inexperienced," reports R' Chaim ben Shimon, director of the
tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron.
Authorities responsible for the sacred sites say that they do
not intend to allow this new phenomenon to continue.
In a number of cases, after beggars were identified as Arabs
they were removed from the grave sites. In one case, however,
Arabs were counted as part of a minyan. When the
mistake was discovered, a commotion erupted. "This trend must
be stopped. It must be explained to members of the minority
communities that a sacred site is not suitable place for
beggars of any sort, and that they should find another place
to solicit alms," said R' Chaim.
