Following the shift to winter time and the earlier onset of Shabbos, rosh yeshiva HaGaon Rav Dov Lando shlita and the rabbanim of Bnei Brak have issued sharp letters of protest calling on the public to leave earlier on erev Shabbos and avoid situations that could lead to chillul Shabbos.
In a letter titled "Pnei Shabbos Nekabla" (We shall greet the face of Shabbos), the city's rabbanim, Rav Landa, Rav Rosenblatt and Rav Masoud instruct residents to reach their destination two hours before candle-lighting. In pressing circumstances, one must arrive at least 80 minutes before shkiah. The rabbanim warn that delays on the road can cause drivers to violate Shabbos, as they will be forced to rush home before Shabbos begins.
In a separate letter, Rav Lando shlita speaks sharply against those who set out late and justify it by citing concern over traffic. "These people are criminals!!! And besides that, they cause the drivers, a large portion of whom were Shabbos-observant, to violate Shabbos through their late travel!!" the rosh yeshiva wrote in response to a question on the matter.
The rabbanim also issued instructions to business owners, including closing shops half an hour before candle-lighting and reopening on motzei Shabbos only half an hour after Shabbos ends. They call on shoppers not to pressure sellers to continue working.
At the same time, Bnei Brak mayor Chanoch Zeibert and deputy mayor Michoel Kakon, who holds the transportation portfolio, held discussions with the managements of public-transportation companies to ensure that bus and taxi service ends before Shabbos and to prevent delays.
