Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall, attended a massive celebration held to honor the bris of the son of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public relations man Yosi Rozenbuim, Channel 13 reporter Omri Maniv reported on Tuesday.
רב הכותל שמואל רבינוביץ' ניהל הבוקר ברית בירושלים בנוכחות עשרות רבות של משתתפים, בניגוד לצו בריאות העם שמתיר עד 10 בלבד. הרב רבינוביץ' נשא את הברכות לבנו של איש יחסי הציבור החרדי יוסי רוזנבוים. כוח משטרה שהוזעק לאירוע פיזר את רוב הנוכחים ובמקום נותרו 10 בני משפחה להמשך החגיגה.
— עמרי מניב omri maniv (@omrimaniv) April 14, 2020
The event included dozens of guests, breaking Health Ministry orders forbidding gatherings of more than 10 people in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Police were called and the guests, including the Rabbi of the Western Wall, departed, leaving 10 close family members. In response, Rabinowitz said that he thought the gathering was okay because he preformed the traditional blessing in an open space and not in a room and was under the impression fewer people will be present.Rabinowitz reportedly waited in the car to be called to perform the blessing and name the newborn, being under the impression that no more than 10 people will be present, promised to him by the event organizer. The Rabbi left immediately after performing his duties.
Rabinowitz is part of a growing list of public servants who did not comply with the orders, including Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin.