Gur Rebbe's Objection Prompts Revisions to Agudat Yisrael Election Call
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Agudat Yisrael's Council of Torah Sages is revising an election appeal after the Rebbe of Gur objected to its original wording. The initial draft mandated voting for the 'Gimmel' list and warned of severe sin for non-compliance. The revised text urges voting for United Torah Judaism and warns against parties not favored by the Sages, removing the direct accusation of sin. A final decision on the wording is pending.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Agudat Yisrael is revising an election appeal due to an objection from the Rebbe of Gur.
- The original draft mandated voting for the 'Gimmel' list, calling non-voters sinners.
- The Rebbe of Gur questioned the implication that Shas voters were sinners.
- A revised draft urges voting for United Torah Judaism and warns against other parties.
- The new wording omits the direct accusation of sin for not voting 'Gimmel'.
Discussions are underway among the rebbes of the Council of Torah Sages of Agudat Yisrael regarding the final wording of their election appeal, sources told Bخدרי חרדים. An initial draft, which was rejected Thursday evening, stated that voting for the 'Gimmel' list was mandatory and that failure to do so would indirectly make one complicit in desecration of God's name, carrying a severe sin. The Rebbe of Gur objected to this phrasing, pointing out that it implied voters for the Shas party were sinners and questioning the basis for such a statement. Following this objection, a revised text was proposed. The new version asserts that United Torah Judaism is the sole list endorsed by the Council of Torah Sages and warns against voting for parties that do not have the approval of the Sages, omitting the original stipulation about complicity in desecration. Yaakov Weitzman, the council's secretary, circulated the amended text among the rebbes on Friday and Saturday evening. A final decision is expected soon on whether to approve the softened wording, reinstate the original warning, or modify it further.
