Fire and Rescue officials who arrived this week to close a well-known yeshiva in Elad ultimately agreed to delay the shutdown after being deeply impressed by the atmosphere of Torah learning and holding an extended discussion with the rosh yeshiva.
Personnel from Israel Fire and Rescue Authority conducted a safety inspection at Yeshivas Knesses Yechezkel, led by Rav Baruch Mordechai Ettinger. Following the inspection, officials initially determined that the yeshiva did not meet legally required safety standards and ordered its immediate closure.
However, after a lengthy conversation with Rav Ettinger and a visit inside the beis medrash—where they encountered the powerful sound and intensity of ongoing Torah study—the inspectors agreed to postpone the decree for several months. This reprieve is intended to allow the yeshiva time to bring its facilities into compliance with safety regulations.
At the same time, Fire and Rescue officials instructed that most of the dormitories, which are housed in caravans lacking proper fire-safety standards, must be closed within a few months unless significant upgrades are completed.
In response, the yeshiva’s administration has been working around the clock to find immediate solutions and prevent any interruption to the learning. According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the yeshiva is considering launching a matching fundraising campaign to raise the approximately 2.5 million shekels required to carry out the necessary safety renovations and repairs.
{Matzav.com}
I apologize but health and safety comes first. We have unfortunately seen way too many incidents where people are injured or worse because of safety and health issues which could have and should have been addressed well in advance. Why do we not do things the right way in the first instance?
It was healthy and safe!
There was no safety concern, as most of these codes are overly preventative and preparative in nature.
Officials who saw the value of what was there chose then to allow the Yeshiva to come to compliance and not be overly punitive by shutting it down.
Except that since you don’t know what the issues are, you have no basis on which to dismiss them. Ushmartem meod lenafshoseichem, means do what is mekubal in society for health and safety, not ignoring things just cuz.
Vinishmartem also means making sure you are fully vaccinated, keep at least 6 feet from any Yid, wear your disposable mask properly, and daven biyachidus in your bathrobe.
and you know what the issues were???
The fire & safety standards in Israel are WAY too high, and they can regularly be given exceptions by whomever it moves them with the right protectia.
Israeli caravans are simple aluminum or stone structures on the ground. It’s hard for me to imagine a fire safety scenario in which one couldn’t simply roll out a window to escape any issues.
Also, their material of aluminum or stone is fire-resistant.
In other words, I’m honestly trying to understand what is not fire-safe about a caravan? Most buildings with proper fire-safety are still not as easy to escape as a simple low-to-the-ground non-flammable Israeli caravan.