#0202_A_View_From_Haredi_Jerusalem

News Digest: Fire Safety Warning before Lag Ba'Omer holiday [1].

"The Commissioner of Firefighting and Rescue ordered: These are the restrictions for lighting bonfires.

Due to the real fear of endangering lives as a result of the bonfires on Lag Ba’Omer during the forecasted weather [2], the Firefighting and Rescue Commissioner imposed a series of restrictions on lighting fires. […]

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel [3] urges the public to be careful with bonfires on Lag Ba’Omer in the wake of weather conditions that could lead to a loss of control over the fire. The Rabbi issued a call to increase Torah study and ‘unconditional love’ [4], but to be careful when lighting bonfires. 'This year, Lag BaOmer, 5778 [5], the forecasters warn against severe weather, which is risky while lighting bonfires. According to Jewish law, despite the importance of the day, it is obligatory to obey the safety instructions of the professional bodies. Every bonfire should only be lit according to their instructions!'."

-Kikar Hashabat

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“A fire warning for Lag Ba'omer: The Commissioner of Firefighting and Rescue limits the bonfires to a maximum height of 1.5 meters.

‘This is not meant to limit people’s enjoyment, rather intends to save lives and prevent disasters,’ said the Commissioner of Firefighting and Rescue. He signed an order outlining a series of restrictions regarding the bonfires of Lag Ba'Omer. [As it is written in the Torah]: ‘And you shall protect your lives with great care’.

‘I call on parents and children to follow these safety guidelines, which include lighting only small fires, maintaining a distance from forests and woodland areas, and that flammable materials should not be used, as they can endanger property and lives,’ the Commissioner concluded.”

-Behadrei Haredim

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"‘Ichud Hatzalah’ emergency services [6] participated in the large emergency drill together with the security forces at the ‘Rashbi’ compound in Meron [7].
Dozens of paramedics and volunteers in Ichud Hatzalah participated in an exercise for the treatment and evacuation of casualties. Israel Police, the Northern District Fire Brigade and rescue organizations also participated in the exercise in order to to secure the hundreds of thousands of visitors who are expected to come to pray at ‘Rashbi’."

-Kikar Hashabat

**
"Pictures: A moment before Lag Ba’omer: The children of Bnei Brak [8] and Jerusalem set up bonfires."

-Behadrei Haredim

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0202 Editor's Notes:
[1] Lag Ba’Omer, literally the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, the days between Passover and Shavuot, is a Jewish holiday. Lag Ba'Omer is celebrated for a number of reasons, including the end of a plague that killed 24,000 Jewish scholars in approximately 130 C.E. In addition to this, Lag Ba'Omer is the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a scholar who lived around 100 C.E and is known by the acronym Rashbi. Rashbi is considered to be the revealer of Jewish mysticism, Kabalah. His burial site is located in the town of Meron in the north of Israel. Lag Ba'Omer is celebrated by lighting bonfires and visiting Rashbi's tomb.
[2] Fire-prone weather including easterly winds, warm air, is expected.
[3] The Chief Rabbinate of Israel is the most senior rabbinic and spiritual authority for Judaism in Israel. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel consists of two Chief Rabbis – one Sephardi and one Ashkenazi who are elected for a ten year term by senior Israeli officials.
[4] ‘Unconditional Love’ is a term that encourages Jews to love their neighbor freely without judgement or expectation of anything in return.
[5] 5778 is the current year according to the Jewish calendar.
[6] ‘Ichud Hatzalah’ (lit. Rescue Union) is the Israeli branch of the worldwide Jewish Emergency Organization ‘Hatzolah’. It is predominantly Haredi and works in cooperation with official emergency authorities in Israel.
[7] See note [1].
[8] Bnei Brak is a Haredi city located near Tel Aviv.

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#Religion #Holidays #Judaism #Lag_BaOmer

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