[RBS] Rav Spektor's 8 Rules for a Kosher Lag Ba'Omer Bonfire

[Phil'n'Chanie Rosenfelder]

the following is an almost literal translation of Rav Spektor's Hebrew
email, published today on the hebrew RBS list (and presumably elsewhere)

any mistakes are mine.


> 1.  The Moetzet haRabbanut haRashit announced that since lag ba'omer comes
> out this year on a motzash, bonfires should only be lit on Sunday   towards
> evening (but preferably before shekiya)
>
This decision was made in order to avoid any chance of Hillul Shabbat.
The education ministry accepted this decision and gave the children monday
as a day off school to catch up on sleep {ed. note, we do NOT know why
sunday was given off also!}
Teh fire department is also preparing for sunday evening bonfires , not
motzash!

2.  It is assur to collect wood on Shabbat.  All preparation should be done
motzash, or preferably on sunday-day
If one sees others making a mistake about this, speak to them KINDLY.

3.  The Torah forbids stealing .  In order for a bonfire to be Kosher, the
wood can only be wood that belongs to the people involved, or taken from
true Hefker, and NOT from public places.  Workers are NOT at liberty to
give wood that belongs to the homeowner for whom they are working, nor from
their boss.

4.  It is also assur to hurt others, therefore one may not make a bonfire
close to homes, which would cause people at home to breathe smoke, which is
a health hazard

5.  V'Nishmartem Me'od L'nafshoteichim - all people attending a bonfire
must be careful to stay far enough away to avoid burns, and to be extra
careful with small children.  Much credit is due to Ezrat Ahim and Keren
Yosef for promoting awareness of fire safety.
If there is any fear that a fire might be spreading, one MUST call the fire
station immediately (dial 102)

6.  Kedoshim t'hiyu - make sure  that what goes in and out of the mouths at
the bonfire is kosher - the food, the talk and the form of celebration -
simhat mitzva.

> 7.  B'agala u'vizman kariv - Just as one may not steal wood, one may not
> steal (aka use without permission) shopping agalot  / carts/  buggies.   If
> one did accidentally used such a buggy, one should make sure to return it
> AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (bizman kariv)
>

8.  Lifnei iveir lo titein michshol  - make sure to clean up after the
bonfire, in order to avoid leaving behind  anything that could be a
michshol / obstacle / safety hazard  to others.   Altogether, one must be
mehader in keeping the mitzva fo yishuv ha'aretz , according to the passuk
"zeh keili v;anveihu", and keep Eretz Yisrael beautiful and clean

>
>
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