Vizhnitz Leader Urges Maximum Voter Turnout for Religious Causes
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Chaim Meir Hager, Av Beis Din of Vizhnitz, urged maximum voter turnout in a speech in Bnei Brak, stating the goal is to increase "sanctity" and garner votes against religious opponents. He called on followers to bring additional voters and emphasized that the number of seats won is less important than acting for "sanctity of heaven." Yeshiva students were instructed to briefly interrupt studies to vote before returning to their learning.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Vizhnitz leader Chaim Meir Hager urged maximum voter turnout for religious causes.
- He stressed the importance of bringing additional voters to the polls.
- Hager stated the goal is to increase "sanctity" and counter religious opponents.
- He recounted his father's view that seat numbers are less important than acting for "sanctity of heaven."
- Yeshiva students were told to briefly interrupt studies to vote.
Chaim Meir Hager, the Av Beis Din of Vizhnitz, delivered a fervent address at the Great Beit Midrash in Bnei Brak, urging the public to vote in the upcoming elections. Speaking on behalf of his father, the Vizhnitz Rebbe, Hager emphasized the importance of increasing "sanctity" and garnering votes as a response against those who would harm religion, a directive he received from his father.
Hager stressed that voters should not be content with simply casting their own ballot and that of their household. Instead, he called on every Hasid to bring at least one additional voter to the polls to bolster support for "holy Torah." He likened this effort to the dedication shown by senior Torah scholars and yeshiva deans who travel extensively to encourage participation.
Recounting an anecdote, Hager shared that after a previous election where United Torah Judaism won eight mandates, his father dismissed the number of seats, stating his focus was on acting for the "sanctity of heaven" and doing everything possible. This, he explained, is the core message: "It doesn't interest me how many seats there are; we needed to act for the sanctity of heaven and do all in our power."
Addressing yeshiva students, Hager clarified that their primary duty is to remain immersed in Torah study. Those required to vote should only briefly interrupt their studies to cast their ballot before immediately returning to their learning with great diligence. He concluded by asking yeshiva students to share their daily study schedules with him, promising to present them to his father, the Rebbe.
