United Torah Judaism MK Slams Finance Minister Smotrich Over Remarks
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher fiercely denounced Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for disparaging remarks made against Gadol Rabbi Dov Lando and the Haredi community. Asher accused Smotrich of attacking a "great man of Israel" and suggested Smotrich himself needed to return to repentance. Smotrich's comments, made at an election event and later in an interview, have sparked widespread outrage within the Haredi public.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher strongly condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks.
- Asher criticized Smotrich for speaking against Gadol Rabbi Dov Lando and the Haredi public.
- Smotrich had previously made harsh statements against the Haredi community and Rabbi Lando.
- Asher suggested Smotrich needed help to pass the electoral threshold and should return to repentance.
- Smotrich's comments have drawn widespread condemnation from the Haredi public.
Yaakov Asher, chairman of the United Torah Judaism party, sharply criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his recent remarks against Gadol Rabbi Dov Lando and the Haredi public. Speaking at the opening of a community registry office in Rekhasim, Asher stated that some people believe they can dismantle the Haredi community, urging them to witness its resilience. He directly addressed Smotrich, accusing him of speaking out against the "straightforward public" and a "great man of Israel," and suggested Smotrich needed Feiglin's help to pass the electoral threshold, implying Feiglin was his "rabbi" and should be brought back to repentance first.
Smotrich had previously made harsh statements against the Haredi public and Rabbi Lando at an election event in Ofra, accusing the world of Torah of serious offenses. When asked by Channel 7 why he hadn't publicly responded to Rabbi Lando's criticism, Smotrich initially spoke of respect but quickly turned to offensive language. He stated that silence should not be mistaken for agreement, citing the principle "Beware of their embers," and added that while he would not respond to a scholar if it were not beneficial, it pained him and he prayed for Rabbi Lando's repentance, though he felt no need to respond.
These comments by Smotrich have drawn widespread condemnation from across the Haredi public.
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