A ruling issued today by Rabbis Avraham Shapira, Dov Lior and others states that one may not stand in dangerous places to wait for rides. "One who takes an unreasonable chance in this matter," the ruling states, "endangers the entire public - because the government is liable to be forced to release terrorists."
The rabbis also place the onus upon the government:
"In light of the recent attempted kidnappings, we call upon the government and the army to act to increase security along the roads, in order to enable the public to hitchhike safely."
The ruling follows a series of murderous and nearly-murderous incidents. Three months ago, a Palestinian terrorist dressed as a Jewish hitchhiker blew himself up inside the car of those who picked him up near Kedumim, in Samaria, murdering four Jews, including a husband and wife.
Two weeks ago, two teen-aged girls waiting for a ride outside Rechelim, in Samaria, were nearly abducted by three armed Arabs. This Sunday, of course, Eliyahu Asheri was abducted after he was last seen waiting for a ride at Jerusalem's French Hill junction.
"One may not say that he is not afraid and is willing to take a chance," the ruling states, "because by taking a dangerous chance, he is endangering the entire public, as the government is liable to be forced to release terrorists."
On the other hand, the rabbis say that rides are an important need for hitchhikers, "especially in communities with a paucity of public transportation, and therefore we call upon the drivers to continue to show kindness and give rides, while employing the necessary means of caution."
Rabbi Chaim Druckman, the adopted grandfather of the murdered Eliyahu Asheri, said this morning, "We can't stop life altogether, and therefore we won't ask drivers to close their hearts and not give rides to those who need."
Also signed on the document are Rabbi David Chai HaCohen of Bat Yam, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rabbi Zalman Melamed, Rabbi Chaim Smutrich, Rabbi Yehoshua Rosenne, and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu.
The rabbis also place the onus upon the government:
"In light of the recent attempted kidnappings, we call upon the government and the army to act to increase security along the roads, in order to enable the public to hitchhike safely."
The ruling follows a series of murderous and nearly-murderous incidents. Three months ago, a Palestinian terrorist dressed as a Jewish hitchhiker blew himself up inside the car of those who picked him up near Kedumim, in Samaria, murdering four Jews, including a husband and wife.
Two weeks ago, two teen-aged girls waiting for a ride outside Rechelim, in Samaria, were nearly abducted by three armed Arabs. This Sunday, of course, Eliyahu Asheri was abducted after he was last seen waiting for a ride at Jerusalem's French Hill junction.
"One may not say that he is not afraid and is willing to take a chance," the ruling states, "because by taking a dangerous chance, he is endangering the entire public, as the government is liable to be forced to release terrorists."
On the other hand, the rabbis say that rides are an important need for hitchhikers, "especially in communities with a paucity of public transportation, and therefore we call upon the drivers to continue to show kindness and give rides, while employing the necessary means of caution."
Rabbi Chaim Druckman, the adopted grandfather of the murdered Eliyahu Asheri, said this morning, "We can't stop life altogether, and therefore we won't ask drivers to close their hearts and not give rides to those who need."
Also signed on the document are Rabbi David Chai HaCohen of Bat Yam, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rabbi Zalman Melamed, Rabbi Chaim Smutrich, Rabbi Yehoshua Rosenne, and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu.