Chief Rabbi: 'No mourning Gaza exit'

Prohibits lamenting the withdrawal as it exacerbates public conflict.

Metzger 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
Metzger 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
Chief
Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger has issued a halachic ruling that prohibits mourning Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and Northern Samaria, Israel Radio reported on Tuesday.
Rabbi Metzger said that such mourning is divisive and exacerbates conflicts within the general public.  He was writing in a publication devoted to religious rulings.
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According to Metzger, rabbinical rulings requiring acts of devotion must have a reasonable chance of being followed by most of the nation and, since the public is highly divided over the withdrawal, Rabbis should not require their followers to hold ceremonies related to the exit from Gush Katif and Northern Samaria.