The Israel Police today (Tuesday) completed its preparations for securing the Baba Sally celebration in Netivot from today until Thursday.
Tens of thousands of believers are expected to attend the annual celebration to mark the death of the rabbi and the Kabbalist.
In the shadow of the event are the Omicron variant that is spreading in Israel and the painful memories of the disaster on Mount Meron last year.
However, this time the order seems to be maintained.
Already at the entrance each and every one of the participants will have to present a green sign under close supervision.
Visitors who do not have a green sign will be able to pass a quick check in a designated tent at a nominal price.
It was also emphasized in one of the signs that "the order of movement and direction must be obeyed - the entrance in accordance with the guidelines of the green sign".
Above the instruction was a picture of Baba Sally, Rabbi Israel Abuhatzira.
This time it seems that all those involved are ready and obey the instructions.
During the event, Israeli police officers, border fighters and volunteers will be deployed with increased forces to maintain public order, public safety, regulate crowds and direct traffic on traffic arteries and in the city of Netivot.
Entrance order to the "Zion" compound plaza,
Meanwhile, the police issued explicit instructions to the participants: entry to the place for those with a green sign or a valid caravan check will be allowed.
During the festivities, masks must be worn.
At the entrance to the complex, there will be an audience regulation for the waiting sleeves that will be divided into groups that will enter the complex around "Zion", for only 7 minutes.
As part of the assessments, starting tonight, the revelry complex will be closed, and no vehicles will be allowed to enter.
Also, from 22:00 until Thursday, Derchei Rafael Street in the city of Netivot will be closed to traffic.
"It's no different from a football game"
"After the Tzaddik dies, his rank is greater," Eliyahu Gabay, who arrived in the morning to be blessed with revelry, told Israel Today, "They come to the Tzaddik, light a candle and pray. He is a connecting figure between man and Gd."
Gabay himself is not afraid of the corona and notes that he has already contracted the virus and recovered.
However, he stresses that worshipers respect the guidelines.
"Think that a football game is 30,000 people, sitting next to each other and eating next to each other. You understand, by and large, there is nothing to be afraid of. It is enough to see the Tzaddik's score, you do not have to enter. It is also a matter of people changing, coming and going."
Preparations for the Baba Sally revelry, Photo: Police Spokeswoman
The event's producer, Dudi Azriel, says that "people are coming from today, but tomorrow is the peak, and it will last until Thursday night."
Azriel congratulated the police forces on the understanding and importance: "There are no such things. They gave of themselves above and beyond. At first they did not want to hold the event because of safety gaps, but now the gaps have been fixed."
The producer rejected the connection between the Meron events and the current celebration and noted that "it should be remembered that the event will have maybe 100,000 people, and in Meron it is an event that can reach half a million. The area there is not suitable for such events. The police also have a much broader perception following the lessons learned from Meron and the municipality is stamping everything: firefighting, MDA and all the established safety systems.
As for the corona - there is a green mark, and those who do not have it can do a test. "
Azriel explains that the event will be organized: "400 enter, pray for ten minutes and leave, followed by another 400 and so on. Of course the score itself will be closed and it will be possible to be only around. Hundreds of lessons learned soul".
"It is an event that symbolizes the heritage of fathers, of faith in the righteous. We have faith and the connection is through thousands of stories. I come here because it brings us closer to God," says David Cohen.
The rules must be observed and followed.
"People do not want to get infected and God forbid produce provocations, just come, see salvation and go out - it is no different from a football game."
Shashi Aboudrahm came from Rehovot and is especially excited.
On the other hand, he is convinced that this is not a mass infection.
"You can't do where and where. Once a year people wait for it and grow up on it. I come here since childhood, the whole family and every year. You ask the righteous and the requests are always accepted, you can not even describe his greatness."
Aboudrahm added: "There will be a lot of people here, but unlike on New Year's Eve, Novy Good and demonstrations there are a lot of people. Only when it comes to a religious event do those who oppose emerge. I was in Meron and I know what it is about. This is a completely different event. "There is no room for comparison here, even."
Among the visitors were also those who feared the virus.
"It's scary and stressful. Even having a green sign does not mean there will be no infection," explains Reut Levy-Sabah. The lessons learned from what happened. "
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