Meir Cohen, a Haredi yeshiva bochur who recently became an Internet star when a video of him csreaming at shoppers at BIG mall in Ashdod that it is Shabbos, was arrested.



When I saw the headline that he was arrested, I assumed he was arrested for his screaming. I did not understand why that would get him arrested. Maybe some harassment charges, but nothing serious - he did not really do anything, and I could not see him being held for a serious amount of time over this..  Maybe he would get a restraining order to stay away from the BIG mall, but I can't really see more than that happening.

By the way, many people in the Haredi community, including askanim involved in trying to get the BIG mall closed on Shabbos, have criticized him for screaming like that, even calling it a chilul hashem. Also, they say he might have good intentions, but they say he is harming their efforts to get the mall closed.

It turns out that his appearance and approach was not a one time thing, but he has gone to BIG on Shabbos repeatedly in recent weeks, and has approached people with the same style over and over again.

That could get annoying.

Walla and Ladaat are reporting that he has been arrested for disturbing public order. Supposedly, according to the charges, besides for being a creep and a pest, he also threatened people, attacked people (whatever that means), and disturbed a policeman trying to keep order.