Top Rabbi Slams Finance Minister's Remarks on Haredim
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Rabbi David Landau, a prominent Haredi leader, condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's critical remarks about the Haredi community as "intentional public desecration of God's name." Rabbi Landau urged strong action against the perceived desecration and implored Haredim to vote for the "Gimmel" list, calling it a religious duty to protect the Torah. Smotrich had previously criticized the Haredi public as "ungrateful" and "blind."
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi David Landau called Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks against Haredim "intentional public desecration of God's name."
- Rabbi Landau urged Haredim to vote for the "Gimmel" (ג') list in upcoming elections.
- He stated that voting is a religious duty to protect the Torah and its scholars.
- Smotrich had previously criticized the Haredi public as "ungrateful" and "blind."
- Rabbis consulted with Rabbi Landau and Rabbi A. H. M. Hirsch regarding elections.
Rabbi David Landau, a leading Haredi rabbinical authority, on Wednesday denounced remarks made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich against the Haredi public, calling them "intentional public desecration of God's name." Rabbi Landau stated that while there is no need to respond directly to Smotrich, there is a "terrible obligation to act against this desecration of God's name." He urged Haredim to vote for the "Gimmel" (ג') list, emphasizing that "the Torah itself is being plundered" and that voting is a "double and redoubled obligation" today.
Rabbi Landau also quoted the Chazon Ish, a prominent rabbinical figure, who instructed that voting in government elections is a religious duty. He stressed that voting for the "Gimmel" list is a "sanctification of God's name" and a "duty of diligence" to protect the Torah and its scholars. He insisted that every individual must make an effort to vote, even if it involves personal loss or difficulty, and that rabbis are called upon to "awaken their communities" to this obligation.
Earlier this week, Smotrich had reportedly called the Haredi public "ungrateful to God" and "completely blind," questioning the justification for being Haredi in Israel. He also reportedly prayed for Rabbi Landau to repent. The article notes that rabbis from the city of Rekhasim visited Rabbi Landau and Rabbi A. H. M. Hirsch to consult and receive blessings for the upcoming elections.
