On March 6, 2025, about 800 Haredi Jews prayed at Rav Ashi’s grave at the Israel-Lebanon border, escorted by the IDF. This pilgrimage coincided with the Hebrew calendar anniversary of Moses. The site, split post-IDF withdrawal in 2000, has been a point of contention, prompting U.N. criticism of unauthorized visits. The event reflects ongoing tensions surrounding religious observance and territorial disputes between the two nations.
On March 6, 2025, approximately 800 Haredi Jews gathered at the tomb of Rav Ashi, located at the U.N.-delineated Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon, with the authorization and security from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This event marked a significant occasion with the assembly taking place at dawn, coinciding with the anniversary of the birth and death of Moses, a date recognized in the Hebrew calendar as special for visiting the graves of tzadikim, or righteous individuals.
Rav Ashi, a prominent Babylonian sage from 352–427 C.E., is acknowledged for compiling the Gemara, a vital aspect of the Talmud. While he is believed to be interred at the IDF’s Tziporen outpost, the location’s sovereignty has been a point of contention, with Lebanon asserting it as being within its territory.
Prior to the IDF’s withdrawal from Southern Lebanon in 2000, the tomb was under Jerusalem’s jurisdiction. Following this withdrawal, the site has been split between the two nations, resulting in a division marked by a boundary fence. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) criticized the pilgrimage, viewing it as an infringement of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, emphasizing the need to maintain existing stability in the region.
Recently, tensions escalated when groups of ultra-Orthodox Jews attempted to visit the grave without approval, resulting in arrests. Israel Police have engaged with such groups, citing increasing concerns over unauthorized border crossings. The plight led to further scrutiny and reflection on the area’s sensitive nature, accentuated by previous incidents involving casualties in cross-border confrontations.
The assembly of 800 Haredi Jews at Rav Ashi’s grave exemplifies the deep religious ties to the site, notwithstanding the ongoing territorial disputes between Israel and Lebanon. The pilgrimage, authorized by the IDF, highlights the intersection of faith and geopolitical complexities, further complicated by prior unauthorized visits and confrontations. The UN’s cautionary stance underscores the vulnerable stability in the region, while the focus on respecting territorial boundaries remains imperative.
Original Source: www.jewishpress.com
