Top Rabbi Warns of 'Destruction' if Haredim Don't Vote for Degel HaTorah
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch urged Haredim to vote exclusively for the Degel HaTorah party in a speech in Petah Tikva, warning of dire consequences if they do not. He stated that new legislation could lead to the "destruction of the yeshivas" and make life impossible for the Haredi community. The rabbi described the spiritual situation as a matter of life and death and called for unwavering devotion to Torah observance. He strongly condemned abstaining from voting or supporting other parties due to frustration, emphasizing the need for unity behind Degel HaTorah.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch mandated voting only for Degel HaTorah, warning against abstention or supporting other parties.
- He warned that potential new laws could lead to the "destruction of the yeshivas" and make Haredi life impossible.
- Rabbi Hirsch described the current spiritual situation as a matter of life and death, dependent on divine assistance.
- He stated that the intention of opponents is to eliminate Haredim from Israel and destroy their educational institutions.
- The rabbi insisted that voting for Degel HaTorah is crucial for supporting Torah study and sanctifying God's name.
Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, a prominent Rosh Yeshiva, delivered a stern address on Monday evening in Petah Tikva, urging his audience of yeshiva deans, rabbis, and the public to vote exclusively for the Degel HaTorah party. He strongly condemned calls to abstain from voting or support other parties, emphasizing a "complete obligation" to vote only for Degel HaTorah.
Rabbi Hirsch expressed grave concerns that any new legislation, should it be enacted, would be "terrible, terrible, terrible" and would make it "impossible to maintain the yeshivas as they are now," predicting it would lead to the "destruction of the yeshivas." He warned of a deliberate effort to harm the Haredi public and its educational institutions, including independent education, kindergartens, and seminaries. "Their intention is that there will be no more Haredim in the Land of Israel," he stated, fearing that if "they" gain leadership, life for Haredim would become impossible.
He described the current spiritual situation as bordering on a matter of life and death, attributing their continued presence in Israel to divine assistance. "If the Creator, God forbid, withdraws from us and does not give us heavenly assistance, this is the immediate danger to life, danger to life in the literal sense," he said. Rabbi Hirsch stressed the public's duty to demonstrate devotion to Torah observance, warning that a lack of commitment could lead to divine abandonment.
Concluding his remarks, Rabbi Hirsch forcefully rejected voting for others or abstaining due to frustration. "All those who have bitterness, it is forbidden, forbidden, forbidden to go anywhere and vote for someone else," he declared. He insisted that every yeshiva student, Haredi man, and religious man must vote specifically for Degel HaTorah, which he credited with supporting Torah study and promoting sanctification of God's name. He asserted that unity and support for Degel HaTorah are essential for divine assistance and heavenly honor.
