Rav Shteinman: Battle Public Chillul Shabbos with Tefillah, Not Protests

Finally a voice of reason!

The battle in Ashdod against the “Big” Shopping Center, which has disregarded kedushas Shabbos by opening on the holy day, continues, with some calling  for mass rallies to protest against the mall’s management. Others have proposed a boycott against the management of the mall.

At the same time, gedolei Torah in the Olam Hatorah have said that focus should be on dialogue and other attempts to reach an understanding with the management of the mall and resolve the crisis, rather than public demonstrations.

Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman has expressed his opinion that he is uncomfortable with noisy demonstrations and protests, which do not necessarily bring the desired result and sometimes have the opposite result.

Rav Yosef Scheinin, rov of Ashdod, has conveyed the opinion of Rav Shteinman not to engage in marches or protests, but to hold a day of tefillah, which Rav Shteinman feels would be more effective in bringing about the result of diminished chillul Shabbos.