Top Rabbi Slams Finance Minister Smotrich Over 'Ungrateful' Haredi Comments
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Rabbi Dov Landau, a prominent Haredi leader, fiercely condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for calling the Haredi community "ungrateful to God." Rabbi Landau accused Smotrich of "intentional public desecration of God's name" and called for voting against him. Smotrich's remarks, made to journalist Hagai Segal, criticized the Haredi relationship with the state and the Zionist project, while also touching on the sensitive issue of Haredi military conscription.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Dov Landau accused Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of "intentional public desecration of God's name."
- Rabbi Landau called for voting for United Torah Judaism in protest of Smotrich's remarks.
- Smotrich stated that Haredim are "ungrateful to God" and questioned the justification for being Haredi today.
- The Finance Minister criticized the Haredi public's relationship with the state and the Zionist project.
- Smotrich acknowledged Haredi conscription is a painful issue but doubted coercion would work.
Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading figure in the Lithuanian Haredi community, sharply criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday for remarks suggesting that Haredim are ungrateful to God. Rabbi Landau accused Smotrich of "intentional public desecration of God's name" and urged a vote for the United Torah Judaism party in the upcoming elections as a protest against the minister's statements.
"There are people who call themselves observant of the commandments, and they say publicly that God forbid there is no justification for being Haredi in the Land of Israel," Rabbi Landau stated, referring to Smotrich's comments. "This is intentional public desecration of God's name, and there is no need to respond to him. But the obligation is to act against this terrible desecration of God's name, and when you vote Gimmel, you declare loudly: 'We have no portion but this Torah.'"
Rabbi Landau's strong reaction came after Smotrich's comments during a conversation with journalist Hagai Segal in Ofra. In that discussion, the Finance Minister voiced sharp criticism of the Haredi public's relationship with the state and the Zionist project.
"We have appreciation for our Haredi brothers, and also disagreements on what we don't agree on," Smotrich had said. "I think Haredim are ungrateful to God, and we have a sharp debate with them about their relationship with the state and the processes of redemption. I don't understand how one can be Haredi today. The Zionist project is succeeding, is there greater proof of redemption?"
Regarding the issue of Haredi conscription into the IDF, Smotrich acknowledged it as a painful subject but expressed doubt that change could be achieved through coercion. He also noted that he appreciates various aspects of Haredi society and pointed to some Haredim already working for change, with others expected to join them.
