Israeli comedian Eli Yatzpan has decided that Torah observance is not a joke. Since the recent brutal murder of renowned kabbalistic Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, Baba Elazar , grandson of the famed Baba Sali, Yitzpan says he has begun to observe the Sabbath. “When I speak about it, about the fact that Baba Elazar is no longer here, already I have tears, my throat chokes up,” Yitzpan says. “We are living in complicated times,” he continues. “There is a major significance to these days; people much bigger than I say that when a tzaddik (righteous man) departs this world in such a manner, it is apparent that there must have been a terrible judgment that was hanging over the People of Israel,” he adds. “I want to ask that anyone who can, also because of what is happening right now in Israel, these are not such simple days, you see the tents and the struggles and the pain - anyone who can, If possible, keep a drop more, think a bit more, believe me it is a real pleasure to take one Sabbath and observe it [in accordance with Torah law], to enjoy, to learn, to pray and to rest. “The issue of the Sabbath is not simple, not even for people who have completely returned to normative Jewish observance– it's a process. But I am being helped by Rabbi Yaakov Ades, and in his merit I am keeping the Sabbath,” the comedian explained. “It's a process and it progresses bit by bit. Anyone who comes to Uman [this year] will G-d-willing meet me there on Rosh HaShana , and we will rejoice, and pray for the People of Israel.”
