Q&A: The Tragedy at Meron
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
The Tragedy at Meron
Question
Have a good week, Rabbi,
I would like to ask a few questions:
- I understand that the disaster occurred as a result of a domino effect, when the pushing of the people at the front of the line led to those at the back being trampled. The question is: what is the level of responsibility of the various people involved? Is it like an unintentional act, or an unintentional act close to duress, or an unintentional act close to intentional, and so on? The practical implication would be liability for exile. For example, can one say that the first people in the domino chain are liable for exile, because they pushed in order to make space and air around themselves, whereas those who were pushed and trampled the others are considered coerced, since they were pushed and trampled the dead not by choice? What do you think?
- If someone bought a ticket in advance to travel to Meron and did not get there, whether because the bus never set out or because it turned around during the trip and brought them back to the same place without reaching the destination, is he entitled to demand his money back? And is there any practical difference whether he already paid or not?
- Right now they are saying that in the coming years the number of people going up the mountain will be limited in order to prevent danger. When the Temple is rebuilt speedily in our days, will there also be limits in order to prevent danger? And on whom would the responsibility be placed (the Sanhedrin, the High Priest, someone else)? And if not, can a person refrain from making the pilgrimage because of concern that he might be crushed to death?
- Can one really say that “Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is worthy to be relied upon in a time of need,” or has it already been proven that one cannot?
I would appreciate it if you would answer in detail, in order.
Thank you very much!
Answer
- That depends on the circumstances, but it seems to me that at most this is an unintentional act close to duress. Especially since the unintentional act was done in order to save yourself, so simply speaking this is not an act of murder at all (this reasoning was raised by the Chazon Ish, as is well known).
- First, even if everything had gone as planned, I don’t know whether he would be entitled to a refund. But I assume you are asking on the assumption that he would be; does what happened negate his eligibility for a refund? I don’t think so. He can always claim that he would have been saved.
- Obviously, a person can refrain from going up if there is a real concern. He should refrain, not just can. The responsibility would fall on whatever authority manages things. If there is a king or a government, then it would be on them. The Sanhedrin takes secular authority only in the absence of a king or government. I wrote about this here on the site (search for “A Historical Accident”).
- I assume this question is just mockery.
I find it hard to believe that those who pushed knew what the consequences of their actions would be. Yesterday they showed how they rioted when the police closed the place. The Hasidim are, in most cases, fools and detached from reality.