Top Rabbi Slams New Parties as 'Lies' Aimed at Wasting Votes
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Rabbi Dovid Lando fiercely criticized new political parties, calling them "lies" designed to waste votes and harm the Torah community. Speaking in Jerusalem, he urged voters to support the "Gimel" list (Yahadut HaTorah) as the only party upholding Torah values. He warned that supporting other parties, regardless of their stated intentions, desecrates God's name and harms Torah scholars.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Dovid Lando denounced new political parties as "lies" aimed at wasting votes.
- He urged voters to support the "Gimel" list (Yahadut HaTorah) as the true guardian of Torah values.
- Lando stated that voting for other parties desecrates God's name and harms Torah students.
- The rabbi spoke at a large gathering of Torah leaders in Jerusalem.
- He warned that new parties are designed to harm the Torah community and its scholars.
Rabbi Dovid Lando, a prominent Rosh Yeshiva, launched a scathing attack against newly formed political parties, labeling them as "lies, lies, and more lies." Speaking at a large gathering in Jerusalem attended by members of the Council of Torah Sages and heads of major yeshivas, Rabbi Lando asserted that these parties, whether masquerading as advocates for working individuals or as champions of yeshiva students against conscription, are ultimately designed to siphon votes and harm the Torah community.
He specifically condemned parties that he believes will not pass the electoral threshold, warning that they serve only to "burn votes." Rabbi Lando emphasized the religious obligation for observant Jews to vote for parties that uphold Torah values and are guided by rabbinical leadership, identifying "Gimel" (Yahadut HaTorah) as the party dedicated to preserving religious life in Israel. He invoked the biblical prohibition of "not standing idly by the blood of your neighbor" to stress the duty to support Torah scholars and institutions.
Rabbi Lando further argued that even those with grievances or questions should not abstain from voting for the designated Torah party, as doing so would constitute a desecration of God's name. He warned against supporting parties whose primary values are not Torah-centric or that engage in controversial actions, such as those related to the Temple Mount. He described these new parties as being "outside the camp" and urged the public to distance themselves from them, stating that anyone who aids them is actively harming Torah and its students.
