Haredi Yeshiva Leaders Urge Against Protest Votes in Upcoming Election
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Leaders of Haredi secondary yeshivas have issued their first-ever election letter, urging against protest votes. The statement comes as Moti Lightner's party, polling at 0.3%, faces criticism for being a protest candidacy. The yeshiva leaders emphasized acting responsibly and avoiding actions that harm the Haredi public, following rabbinical guidance.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Haredi yeshiva leaders issued their first election letter, breaking tradition.
- The letter advises against protest votes and actions harming the Haredi public.
- Moti Lightner's party is criticized as a protest vote with minimal support.
- The leaders stressed acting responsibly and following rabbinical guidance.
- Several prominent rabbis signed the letter, including from Beit Shemesh.
For the first time, leaders of Haredi secondary yeshivas have issued a letter ahead of the upcoming election, breaking their tradition of political neutrality. The move comes amid criticism of Moti Lightner's party, which is polling at 0.3% and is seen by many as a protest vote with no chance of entering the Knesset. Lightner announced at a press conference that he would not withdraw from the race despite the low support.
The yeshiva leaders' letter avoids endorsing any specific party but emphasizes their opposition to protest actions that could harm the broader Haredi public. "We have never acted out of protest or defiance," the leaders stated. They stressed that challenges should be addressed with responsibility, discretion, and constructive thinking, prioritizing the preservation and strengthening of Torah study.
The letter advises followers to act according to the guidance of their rabbis, avoiding participation in protests or actions inconsistent with their established path. Signatories include Rabbi Baruch Zeit of "Ma'arava," Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum of "Nahora," Rabbi Koldetzky of "Hayishuv," Rabbi Michael Shoham of "Nahardea," Rabbi Brandwein of "Hedvat HaTorah," and Rabbi Brown of "Meitivta" in Beit Shemesh.
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