Prominent Rabbi Votes Mid-Mourning Period for Brother
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Influential Lithuanian Rabbi Shimon Galai voted for the Yahadut HaTorah party on Tuesday morning while observing the Shiva mourning period for his brother. He stated that voting is a primary commandment and a religious obligation. The rabbi emphasized that fulfilling God's will through voting sanctifies His name.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Shimon Galai voted during his brother's Shiva mourning period.
- He voted for the Yahadut HaTorah party before morning prayers.
- Galai called voting a primary commandment and religious obligation.
- He stated that voting sanctifies God's name.
Influential Lithuanian Rabbi Shimon Galai cast his vote on Tuesday morning, even while observing the traditional seven-day mourning period, known as Shiva, for his deceased brother. He went to the polling station before the morning prayer service to vote for the 'Yahadut HaTorah' party.
Speaking at the polling station with Moshe Rosenthal, a candidate for 'Degel HaTorah,' Rabbi Galai emphasized the importance of voting, stating, "This is the first commandment. I didn't ask any questions at all, this is the Shulchan Aruch, anyone who doesn't understand this is missing the fundamentals of the religion."
He further elaborated on the religious obligation, questioning how one could recite prayers about sanctifying God's name if they do not actively participate in actions that do so. "Everyone is obligated to go vote, and may God help, there will be heavenly assistance, and it will truly be a sanctification of God's name," he added.
