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The tragedy in Meron yesterday is heartbreaking on so many levels but what's even more heartbreaking is the fact that it was avoidable and predicted.
A thread:
A thread:
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Meron is believed to be the resting site of the Talmudic sage Reb Shimon Bar Yochai, who is considered the father of Jewish mysticism; The Zohar is attributed to him. Reb Shimon hid in a cave for 12 years from the Romans and is therefore also an icon of Jewish resistance. >
Meron is believed to be the resting site of the Talmudic sage Reb Shimon Bar Yochai, who is considered the father of Jewish mysticism; The Zohar is attributed to him. Reb Shimon hid in a cave for 12 years from the Romans and is therefore also an icon of Jewish resistance. >
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The 18th of Iyar (AKA La”g B’omar - marking the 33d day of counting the Omar) is also called “The celebration of Bar Yochai” – it is the day he passed. It is marked with prayer, music, dance and bonfires. Mainly In Meron but also around the world. >
The 18th of Iyar (AKA La”g B’omar - marking the 33d day of counting the Omar) is also called “The celebration of Bar Yochai” – it is the day he passed. It is marked with prayer, music, dance and bonfires. Mainly In Meron but also around the world. >
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There are accounts dating back a millennia about “Lag B’omar in Meron” – legends about people who walked for weeks on foot to get there on Lag B’omar. People come to pray and to dance. “It is like Yom Kippur and Purim in one day” is often said about this day in Meron. >
There are accounts dating back a millennia about “Lag B’omar in Meron” – legends about people who walked for weeks on foot to get there on Lag B’omar. People come to pray and to dance. “It is like Yom Kippur and Purim in one day” is often said about this day in Meron. >
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Over the years it gained traction and is today ‘the’ biggest annual gathering in the Orthodox world, with hundreds of thousands of people – Men, woman, and children – ascending on the mountain of Meron over the 24 hours. Mostly around the ancient building of his shrine. >
Over the years it gained traction and is today ‘the’ biggest annual gathering in the Orthodox world, with hundreds of thousands of people – Men, woman, and children – ascending on the mountain of Meron over the 24 hours. Mostly around the ancient building of his shrine. >
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The building and the courtyards around were built in patches over the course of a thousand years. The area is not fit to accommodate hundreds of thousands. In 1911, the roof collapsed and 11 people died. Ever since, the situation in Meron was a disaster in the waiting. >
The building and the courtyards around were built in patches over the course of a thousand years. The area is not fit to accommodate hundreds of thousands. In 1911, the roof collapsed and 11 people died. Ever since, the situation in Meron was a disaster in the waiting. >
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Despite repeated warnings, no serious changes were made to the site because of narrow interest and petty fighting by organizations and families who claimed ownership on the space and made lots of money by collecting millions “To feed the pilgrims” and so on. >
Despite repeated warnings, no serious changes were made to the site because of narrow interest and petty fighting by organizations and families who claimed ownership on the space and made lots of money by collecting millions “To feed the pilgrims” and so on. >
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Some of those individuals and organizations are mostly well-connected politically (Especially with interior minister Arye Deri), so the government has repeatedly turned a blind eye. Also, anti-government sentiment among Haredim has deterred them from interfering too much. >
Some of those individuals and organizations are mostly well-connected politically (Especially with interior minister Arye Deri), so the government has repeatedly turned a blind eye. Also, anti-government sentiment among Haredim has deterred them from interfering too much. >
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This year, the neglect got worse since there was almost no planning in advance. Health officials were initially opposed to the gathering, but political pressure won and the gathering was approved but with no clear blueprint on how to avoid overcrowding and proper movement. >
This year, the neglect got worse since there was almost no planning in advance. Health officials were initially opposed to the gathering, but political pressure won and the gathering was approved but with no clear blueprint on how to avoid overcrowding and proper movement. >
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The area where the tragedy happened is a cluster with no proper exits and no strict limits were enforced on the number of people entering the space. This led to the stampede which claimed the lives of 44 and dozens of injured, some of them severely. >
The area where the tragedy happened is a cluster with no proper exits and no strict limits were enforced on the number of people entering the space. This led to the stampede which claimed the lives of 44 and dozens of injured, some of them severely. >
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This is an inconceivable tragedy. It is perhaps the biggest tragedy in the orthodox world since the holocaust. But the saddest part is that it was all avoidable. easily. Lots of people have blood on their hands and unfortunately, a lot of them will get away with it.
This is an inconceivable tragedy. It is perhaps the biggest tragedy in the orthodox world since the holocaust. But the saddest part is that it was all avoidable. easily. Lots of people have blood on their hands and unfortunately, a lot of them will get away with it.
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Here is Netanyahu stopping by for a photo-op with Haredi MKs after announcing he’s lifting all restrictions on the event in Meron. They are culpable in what happened. All of them.
Here is Netanyahu stopping by for a photo-op with Haredi MKs after announcing he’s lifting all restrictions on the event in Meron. They are culpable in what happened. All of them.
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Israel’s ex chief Rabbi Lau: “It was preventable. We cannot pretend we didn’t see it coming…” https://www.ynet.co.il/judaism/article/HJZw4UKDO
Israel’s ex chief Rabbi Lau: “It was preventable. We cannot pretend we didn’t see it coming…” https://www.ynet.co.il/judaism/article/HJZw4UKDO
