Tel Aviv to Allow Simchas Torah Celebration – Without a Mechitzah

The Israeli Supreme Court convened this morning to address the petition filed by the organization ‘Rosh Yehudi,’ which is seeking permission to hold a Simchas Torah celebration in Dizengoff Square, despite the Tel Aviv Municipality’s opposition.

The judges, after criticizing the municipality’s actions, urged them to find a compromise. Following discussions, the municipality agreed to the proposal that the celebration could take place in Dizengoff Square as long as ‘Rosh Yehudi’ refrained from erecting a mechitzah between men and women.

During the proceedings, attorney Uri Israel Paz, representing ‘Rosh Yehudi,’ emphasized that there were no plans to introduce a mechitzah if the celebration was allowed to happen in the square.

The judges questioned the legal advisor of the Tel Aviv Municipality, Adv. Uzi Salman, about the basis of their authority to prohibit gatherings in Dizengoff Square, which was brought up in ‘Rosh Yehudi’s’ petition requesting the event on the evening following Simchas Torah.

The legal advisor responded that the municipality’s actions were rooted in municipal regulations regarding order and cleanliness but admitted that he had not thoroughly prepared to discuss the issue of authority.

MK Tali Gottlieb, who was present in the courtroom, interjected at this point, exclaiming, “Perhaps you should reach an agreement and put an end to this embarrassing situation.” Later, Judge Ofer Grosskopf commented that “the event itself is suitable, but not in Dizengoff Square.”

The judge stressed that initially, the municipality had granted permission for the celebration at this location but later rescinded it. The lawyer countered, asserting that “the municipality is trying to avoid a violent incident.”

Judge Grosskopf rejected this argument, stating, “Isn’t this a matter for the police to consider? By making this consideration, you allow opponents of the event to act against it.”

During the hearing, one of the attendees became emotional and had to leave the courtroom. She expressed her frustration, saying, “Why is no one standing up and saying, ‘This shouldn’t happen in a Jewish state’? I’m sitting in court discussing whether it’s acceptable for a Jew to pray with a Jewish prayer. Anywhere else in the world, we would condemn a state holding such a discussion.”

The chairman of the organization, Israel Ze’ira, expressed his commitment to following the law but found it challenging to accept attempts to “dictate people’s faith.”

Ze’ira emphasized their support for freedom of choice, not only as liberals but also because the Torah advocates for it. He opposed religious coercion as well as secular coercion and considered the case an accommodation of extreme fringe elements that influenced the Tel Aviv municipality to act aggressively and reward violence.

He assured that they would abide by the court’s decision but criticized the law against partitions between men and women as immoral. He believed such a law would eventually disappear and would not be imposed on those who follow the Torah.

Ze’ira mentioned their plans to celebrate with Torah books and emphasized the importance of preserving Torah teachings despite attempts by a vocal and coercive minority to impose imagined equality.

He concluded by stating that they would continue to make the Torah accessible to the majority of the people of Israel who are deeply interested in it, despite efforts to silence ‘Rosh Yehudi’ in the name of human rights.

{Matzav.com Israel}