It seems the security forces are gearing up for the Pope's planned visit to the Holy Land (aka Israel) in May. They are considering shutting the area of the kotel to the general public during the time the Pope plans to make his aliyah la'regel to the Kotel.
Rav Shmuel Rabinovitz, the rav of the Kotel, is opposed to shutting the kotel doors to the public.
“The Kotel must be open during the entire visit for every person who wants to pray,” Rabbi Rabinowitz said. “Jews have been praying at the Kotel for almost 42 years. There is no preference of one person over another.”Don't let the Temple area fall to the hands of the Romans. Even symbolically. Never Again!
(source: INN)
This shows everything that's wrong with this country. Bowing to the Pontif(ication).
ReplyDeleteHe's just a big avoda zara freak - why do we have to invite him here at all?
Shalom,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, no one is "bowing" to anyone. Israel is responsible for his security, and they think this will help. Part of the problem is that there are those who consider doing anything nice for anyone not Jewish to be indicative of something wrong with this country, and they are afraid that they may act on that paranoia.
Secondly, we have a long history of courting people from other religions. Don't forget that even Shlomo Hamelech had a good relationship with the Egyptians (going so far as to marry an Egyptian princess to cement the relationship).
However, I will concede the point of the Pope being a big "freak". It's not that I necessarily agree, but I just can't argue with that cogent assessment, being ensconced in the warm embrace of sound logic that it is.