Just before Shabbos began on Friday evening, numerous individuals — including families with young children — were left stranded outside Beitar Illit when the city’s main gate was shut twenty minutes before sunset.
Footage shared by Arutz Sheva captured about twenty cars backed up at the entrance, with the gate locked and no entry permitted. The footage was taken after kabbalas Shabbos time had begun, but before actual nightfall — a window during which certain prohibited actions may still be allowed if circumstances leave no alternative.
In the clips, men, women, and children — some pushing strollers, others burdened with bags and suitcases — can be seen trekking on foot toward Beitar Illit. Many were forced to carry their belongings a considerable distance, making what should have been a peaceful Shabbos arrival into a physically demanding journey.
Upon investigation, Arutz Sheva learned that the early closure is not new. In fact, the policy of locking the gate twenty minutes prior to sunset has been in place for some time. According to municipal officials, the directive comes at the instruction of the city’s rabbinic leadership.
Maor Ktuvim, who filmed the scene, recounted the ordeal to Arutz Sheva, describing how scores of people — with no other option — made the difficult and tiring walk into the city. He emphasized that the area near the gate is considered hazardous, and many travelers were reluctant to leave their cars parked on the roadside out of fear for their safety.
He further noted that a traffic accident on the main road from Yerushalayim delayed many of those heading to Beitar Illit, resulting in a bottleneck of latecomers arriving just as the gate was closing.
Ultimately, many had no choice but to abandon their vehicles outside the city and make their way on foot to wherever they were staying.
While the municipality points to signage at the entrance that declares the city closed to incoming traffic on Shabbos and yomim tovim, some residents voiced frustration to Arutz Sheva, arguing that the policy should be adjusted to reflect practical access realities. They suggested that cars should be allowed to enter up until actual sunset.
This issue echoes a legal case from several years ago, when a driver ticketed for operating his car shortly after the start of Shabbos in the Jewish Quarter of Yerushalayim was found not guilty. The judge ruled that the term “Shabbat” was never legally defined in legislation.
In the judge’s words, “The message conveyed by the road sign is not sufficiently clear, raising doubt regarding the defendant’s guilt. I believe the phrase ‘Shabbatot and holidays’ is ambiguous and allows for more than one interpretation, thereby creating reasonable doubt in favor of the defendant.”
The halachah is clear; one arrive to the home in which they will staying on Shabbos with enough time to make all their Shabbos preparations. (I believe this is so even if those preparations are being made for them).
It is also suggested by many halachic authorities that one double the travel time needed to reach their destination allowing them sufficient to turn back if needed.
The halacha is clear
One may do melacha up until shkia unless the entire city has one minhag
Seems like there isn’t one minhag here so why play disciplinarian with people ?
It’s either my way or no way?
Theer is a clear Minhag in Beitar Illit, as the fate closes 20minutes before Shekia. That’s accepted by all in the city. So if you’re travelling there, you need to be there before that time.
They said there was a traffic accident that prevented them from coming on time. These things happen even if you leave double the time for travel
Maybe they should have called ahead, and someone could have possibly made arrangements for them. However, it appears that wasn’t done.
Or, they should have used Google maps, but get ready for this: the internet is assur. Apps run on the internet so they are assur. Better to be Michalel Shabbos than to ch”v own a smartphone.
Correct.
I am sympathetic to the plight of the latecomers, but I have to side with the Municipality.
In Beitar, candle lighting is 40 minutes before shkia. Thirty minutes after candle lighting is a time when people are hurrying to shul and children are less vigilant about drivers.
Beitar has a significant parking shortage. On Friday afternoons, there are many places where people are double-parked and even parked on the sidewalks. This makes navigation even more difficult for pedestrians and drivers.
The last thing anyone wants is to harm a child. People speeding through the streets to “beat the shkia” is a danger to the residents.
Gate closure 20 minutes before the shkiah is perfect! Arriving by the shkiah is much too late as it ends up as chillul Shabbos, because parking, unpacking, carrying, muktzah and everything else occurs after the shkiah.
“The SECULAR judge ruled that the term “Shabbat” was never legally defined in legislation. … I believe the phrase ‘Shabbatot and holidays’ is ambiguous and allows for more than one interpretation,” G-dless people have no right to meddle in Jewish law. Israel needs judicial reform emergency!