Top Hasidic Rabbis Invited to White House Meeting With Trump

Several prominent Hasidic rebbes from New York have received official invitations from the White House to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump this Thursday. The invitations were extended to the rebbes of Satmar (Kiryas Joel and Williamsburg), Skver, Bobov, and Vizhnitz Monsey. The purpose of the meeting is reportedly to acknowledge the President's actions benefiting the Jewish community and to discuss matters important to "all of Israel."

The Grand Rabbi of Satmar (from Kiryas Joel), Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, addressed the invitation during a recent Shabbat gathering. He initially expressed reservations about attending, citing the busy Elul period, the approach of the High Holidays, and his philosophical stance on meeting with a non-Jew. However, he recalled a similar meeting 30 years prior where he was able to assist a Jew in distress. He stated that he ultimately accepted the invitation with the hope of helping a Jew currently in trouble and to advocate for yeshiva students facing conscription in Israel.

Preparations are underway, involving community leaders and political figures, to finalize the details of this significant meeting. The Satmar Rebbe emphasized the importance of Torah study, urging his followers to remain focused on their studies rather than becoming overly engrossed in political matters, even those involving the President. He stressed that even one lesson in Talmud was more valuable than the entire event.

Meanwhile, the Satmar Hasidic dynasty from Williamsburg also acknowledged the invitation, recalling a past meeting between their rebbe and former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. A planned meeting between the Satmar Rebbe and Rabbi Gershon Eidelstein with President Trump nearly a year ago did not materialize.