One of the biggest challenges the Health Ministry is facing these days regarding the ultra-Orthodox sector is the phenomenon of large weddings.
The Ultra-Orthodox are usually characterized by large families, and many find it difficult to adhere to the government coronavirus guidelines and hold weddings attended by only 20 people.
As the one who pledged to fight the phenomenon of large Ultra-Orthodox weddings, Rebbetzin Koldetzky, the daughter of the great haredi Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, encourages brides to hold small weddings as part of the Health Ministry's campaign "Saving, Living" dedicated to the ultra-Orthodox public, reported Israel Hayom.
The campaign is emphasizing the saving of human life with small weddings, while alluding to the financial savings that they provide.
Lately Koldetzky has been devoting all her time to encouraging and supporting brides who are forced to have modest weddings due to Health Ministry restrictions.
Meanwhile, many brides are debating whether to postpone the event to a time when a larger number of participants will be allowed.
It has lately been revealed, in the newspaper that a disturbing phenomenon has appeared regarding Ultra-Orthodox wedding: Knowing that the police will not arrive at the scene, weddings were held in Arab villages in the West Bank and in the Palestinian Authority. This is along with holding large pirate weddings in villas, enclosed halls and areas far from urban localities.
Last week, the Health Ministry's ultra-Orthodox information headquarters received an application from the family of a 24-year-old bride.
The appeal was forwarded to Rabbi Kanievsky's daughter, who wrote a letter of personal encouragement to the bride in which she mentioned that a very small wedding, which took place in the Bible and was attended by only ten people, ended up in history. "May you have at least ten great children of Israel" she said, and wished her good luck.
"Despite the difficulties, the ultra-Orthodox public has shown full responsibility and cooperation in reducing morbidity," Avi Blumenthal, an advisor to the Health Ministry for the ultra-Orthodox sector, told Israel Hayom."It is very important that we maintain this achievement and continue to adhere to the rules of caution in human life, especially when holding celebrations, where it is naturally more difficult to maintain the guidelines," he said.