A storm has erupted in Yerushalayim’s Minchas Yitzchak neighborhood after a Chol Hamoed event ostensibly organized to teach children about the Nisuch HaMayim ceremony in the Beis Hamikdash allegedly became a platform for promoting visits to Har Habayis.

HaGaon HaRav Chaim Aharon Blayer, a prominent posek in the neighborhood, issued a sharply worded warning to local residents after learning what had taken place at the event, which was held in an auditorium on Rechov Minchas Yitzchak.

According to Rav Blayer, after looking into the incident and hearing accounts from several people who attended, he learned that a representative associated with the Har Habayis administration addressed the gathering — including young children — and spoke about ascending Har Habayis in the present day.

Rav Blayer said the message presented at the event runs directly contrary to the accepted psak of the Gedolei HaPoskim and Gedolei Yisroel across generations who have prohibited Jews from ascending Har Habayis due to the severe halachic issues involved.

Of particular concern, the Rav wrote, was that the message was delivered to children without any opposing clarification, and by an individual dressed in Chareidi and Chassidish attire — something he warned could blur critical halachic boundaries and leave children believing that such conduct is accepted within the Chareidi community.

Rav Blayer subsequently issued an urgent directive to parents whose children attended the gathering, instructing them to speak with their children and make clear that ascending Har Habayis while tamei, without the ability to undergo the required purification, involves an extremely severe issur and can carry the punishment of kareis.

The Rav also noted that similar events have reportedly taken place in the neighborhood previously and urged residents to remain vigilant regarding programs to which they send their children and to carefully investigate the individuals and organizations behind them.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)