Rabbi Elyashiv Would Have Supported Voting Today, Rabbi Zilberstein Claims
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein stated that Rabbi Elyashiv would have mandated voting in the upcoming elections, contrary to the stance of Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul. Zilberstein recounted that Rabbi Elyashiv believed Rabbi Abba Shaul would have supported voting upon seeing the current "war" against Torah scholars. He urged followers to vote for the party endorsed by Torah leaders, warning of dire consequences if opposing factions win.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein claims Rabbi Elyashiv would have supported voting in elections.
- Zilberstein says Rabbi Elyashiv believed Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul would also support voting today.
- The "war" against Torah scholars necessitates voting, according to Rabbi Zilberstein.
- Abstaining from voting is seen as undermining Torah, Zilberstein stated.
- Followers are urged to vote for the party endorsed by Torah leaders.
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, a member of the Council of Torah Sages of Degel HaTorah and rabbi of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood, revealed during his weekly lecture that Rabbi Elyashiv, a leading decisor of the generation, would have instructed his followers to vote in the upcoming elections. Zilberstein shared a story from years ago when an ardent student of Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul, who was known to oppose voting, asked for guidance. Rabbi Zilberstein brought the student to Rabbi Elyashiv, who reportedly stated that if Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul were alive today and witnessed the "great war" against Torah and its learners, he too would deem voting obligatory.
Rabbi Zilberstein emphasized the critical nature of the upcoming elections, warning that failure to achieve the necessary vote count could lead to the victory of opposing forces, including Arabs and secular Israelis, who seek to harm the Torah community. He asserted that abstaining from voting is akin to "lowering the Torah" and allowing these forces to prevail.
He urged all to heed the directives of Torah leaders and actively support the party they endorse to sanctify God's name. The lecture, delivered before the upcoming elections, addressed the "great war for the future of the world of Torah."
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