As ‘Meron Tragedy’ Commission Continues its Work, Toldos Aaron Bleachers Dismantled

With the Yomim Tovim behind us, and Cheshvan upon us, it is just seven-and-half months until Lag Ba’omer 5782–and Klal Yisroel around the world remains deeply uncertain whether we will ever again see the celebrations that we have been accustomed to before the unbelievable tragedy of last year.

 The commission investigating the tragic events is going about its work with intensity—calling numerous witnesses this week alone.

 Among them was Reb Aaron Tzvi Heller, an askan within the Toldos Aaron Chassidus, and its representative for the Meron festivities. He was unequivocal in stating that although they are an insular and a zealous community, they adhere to all the directives from authorities.

 “If we are told by the authorities not to hold a hadlakah next year, there will be no hadlakah.”

 It was only one day later when bulldozers dismantled the bleachers and much of the surrounding infrastructure in the Toldos Aaron hadlakah area, adjacent to where the tragedy occurred.

 The bleachers have been here for years, and have been part of the “furniture of meron” for a long time. Their dismantling is a painful reminder of the tragedy as we look with uncertainty at the months ahead.