last week Rav Chaim Kanievsky told people that despite there not actually being a concern in Bnei Braq about bombs falling within the city, they should still go to the bomb shelters when the siren blares, to share in the community's pain.
Kikar is reporting on another statement made by Rav Kanievsky. Rav Kanievsky skipped his normal daily 15 minute walk. When asked by his surprised attendants, he said that despite telling people to conduct their lives as normal, he still feels that it is inappropriate to go for walks during these times when the nation is in a time of fear and distress. He said, "as long as the residents of Israeli cities are feeling in danger, threatened and afraid, it is not proper to go out on a daily walk. One must be sensitive to the feelings of klal yisrael and share in their distress".
I am, again, surprised and impressed by his sensitivity and his feeling to share in the common pain. As well, I would note that while he told people to go to the bomb shelters for that reason, he also told people to conduct their lives as normal and to go about their daily routines - this sensitivity to cancel his walk was something he kept to himself - he cancelled his own walk but did not tell other people to cancel theirs.
I must say, I have been running, despite the situation. Many other people are as well. I also see bikers. Reports seem to say people are going to the beaches. People are touring. I am not sure I agree with his analysis, even though I appreciate it, as mostly people are going about their normal routines. Things get disrupted by sirens, but for the most part people are not sitting in bomb shelters all day long. In the communities closer to Gaza it is worse, and perhaps he is referring to even part of the community, specifically them, but then he would not have gone for his walks for the past 13 or so years, and not just recently. I agree with the sentiment, and we find the concept that in a time of famine or war one should refrain from some pleasures, but I am not sure it includes the daily routine.
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