For the past several weeks there have been Haredim protesting the opening of a parking lot near the Jaffa gate of the Old City.  Finally today I went to go witness first hand these “violent” protests.  There were maybe a few hundred people there, 2/3’s Ultra-Orthodox in robes and fur hats and the other were secular with their cameras, tank tops and shorts.

While I believe I am looking at this through a different lens, I found myself divided – I support anything that involves reducing traffic in a country that is slowly strangling itself in smog – but at the same time I support a country where people can have any level of Shabbat observance that fits their spiritual needs.

We can only pray for peace, amongst Jews and Jews, Jews and non-Jews, and all everyone else who deserves to park themselves where they like.