Nov 3, 2015
the restaurant with the Torah decor
This is upsetting and shameful.
A non-kosher Chumus restaurant in the Carmel Shuk of Tel Aviv is located in what used to be a shul. They have on display, hanging from the wall, an open Torah scroll.
The fact that it is a non-kosher restaurant is besides the point, as this would be inappropriate and shameful even if it were a kosher restaurant. However, if it were a kosher restaurant this would not have happened - the kashrut mashgiach would see it at some point and make them take it down.
Furthermore, the decor of the former shul is all still intact, with the old shul signs and prayers still hanging on the walls.
All this together, whether the Torah itself or the decor of the shul, might make a potential diner think the restaurant is kosher.
source: Bechadrei
I am surprised as to the insensitivity of the owner who did this.
It hurts to put these pictures up here, but I think it is important.
A non-kosher Chumus restaurant in the Carmel Shuk of Tel Aviv is located in what used to be a shul. They have on display, hanging from the wall, an open Torah scroll.
The fact that it is a non-kosher restaurant is besides the point, as this would be inappropriate and shameful even if it were a kosher restaurant. However, if it were a kosher restaurant this would not have happened - the kashrut mashgiach would see it at some point and make them take it down.
Furthermore, the decor of the former shul is all still intact, with the old shul signs and prayers still hanging on the walls.
All this together, whether the Torah itself or the decor of the shul, might make a potential diner think the restaurant is kosher.
source: Bechadrei
I am surprised as to the insensitivity of the owner who did this.
It hurts to put these pictures up here, but I think it is important.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts
I'm in pain here. I wonder Halachically if someone is allowed to break in and steal that out. This is ridiculous. Its even worse than the museum that has the same thing. So bad
ReplyDeleteSometimes, really think these chilulim are being done on purpose. The denigration of Torah is getting worse with every passing day.
ReplyDeleteThis is, at best, very insensitive & disrespectful of other people's values. Some would say provocatively offensive. Jews, in Israel and beyond, sometimes exhibit a disdain for each other's sensibilities far beyond what the average American would evince, publicly, toward another's religion.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, it's even more distressing, though not surprising, that anyone would consider stealing the Torah to "save" it.
What a spectacularly bad idea!
Think about it: For someone---and it would be quite obvious that it's a frum person---to break into a store and steal a Torah, all, presumably to sanctify the name of God!
Even if such an act were declared to be halachically permitted, or mandated... No question there are rabbis who'd say that---but that says more about how blind some of them are to the larger picture, than it does about the ratzon Hashem.
Such a public act would have virtually everyone---from some orthodox Jews to all liberal Jews, to many Christians & Muslims, to almost all secularists & atheists---talking about the perversity of violating someone's property to "rescue" a holy, but inanimate object---even if it is a Torah---and the way religion breeds disrespect for modern democratic values....
Can God possibly desire this? Is that not the very essence of chillul Hashem?
Hashem and his Torah have survived worse insults than being displayed in a restaurant, (the owner of which is actually showing a degree of respect, however misguided, for Jewish tradition). This could possibly be resolved with mutual respect and diplomacy.
In the meantime, it would be great if people strived more to make themselves---each for himself--- human holy vessels: walking, breathing models of Godliness--- rather than engaging in daring acts of vandalism out of "love" for Hashem's Torah.
Not sure what you mean. You have two different things at work here. I agree with the second part of your message, but the first is, in my opinion, incorrect. It is not a Chillul Hashem to correct a Chillul Hashem if the means are Halachically allowed. We don't give a darn what people say if the action is considered correct. Now I don't know the Halach and that is why I would ask a Rov of course, but if the Halachah is to steal it out of there, then we turn our backs on the world and do the right thing. But the essence of a Kiddush Hashem is doing what Hashem wants - not what people think about it. And with that I agree with you. But the first thing to do is to find out what we can do to correct a horrible horrible situation.
DeleteHow nonkosher is it? No Hashgahha or treify treif (pork, shellfish, Basar B;HHalav)?
ReplyDeleteHas anybody spoken to the owner?
ReplyDeletein the article that is linked in the post it says they contacted the owner but he has not yet responded
DeleteIf we can reach out to him, maybe we can start a fundraiser to buy it off of him
ReplyDeleteDoesn't israel (tel aviv specifically) have a 'hekdesh' law tjat owns old synagogues (unless its a 'private' synagogue)?
DeleteThe matter should be reffered to the 'hekdesh' committee.
The doorway has names (of donors.) Perhaps the names can be traced, and the families contacted to take over control, assuming the management / members / mitpalelim of the previous synagogue can't be found.
ReplyDeleteHello. What is the big deal with having a Jewish-style restaurant? If the Torah is pasul? Is it a real Torah?
ReplyDeleteIf it is a real Torah it is considered an Embarrassment to the Torah and a Chillul Hashem. The Halach is that is must be buried respectfully. Even if it is Pasul
DeleteI don't like the Torah as decor thing going on here, but i do like that the owner has left the original decor of the shul in place, especially the lovely doorway. It's clear that this was once a busy little shteible that was well-used and loved by local residents. Sadly no longer in use, would it have been better if the new owner had stripped out all signs that a shul once stood there and just put up a bland, or funky decor in it's place? I think that would be far worse.
ReplyDeleteMaybe sitting amongst the 'ruins' of an abandoned shul will make the patrons think about their own local shuls and bring back some happy memories of a traditional childhood barmitzvah etc.