Haredi Parties at Crossroads, Re-evaluating Political Alliances

The Haredi public stands at a critical juncture, facing a decision of profound significance for its future direction. The article argues for a return to the foundational principles of Agudat Yisrael, established at the Katowice Convention in 1912. Its central tenet was to resolve all daily issues facing the Jewish people "in the spirit of Torah and commandment."

Agudat Yisrael's political representatives in the Knesset are described not as party leaders, but as delegates of a larger movement, unlike other parties where the Knesset itself is paramount. The article emphasizes that the actions of Knesset members should reflect the vision of the movement's founders, such as Rabbi Chaim Ozer, the Chofetz Chaim, and Rabbi Yaakov Rosenheim. The initial representative, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Levin, serves as a model for delegates whose sole focus is the mission of their constituents.

The success of Haredi representatives, it is argued, should be measured by their ability to ensure that yeshiva students can study Torah and that Haredi families can raise their children according to Torah values. This includes ensuring access to mikvahs, Shabbat observance, kashrut, and conversion processes. The article quotes the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, suggesting that prioritizing the basic Jewish observance of others is more important than elevating one's own level of piety.

The article critiques the current political landscape, noting that the Haredi parties' traditional alignment with the "right-wing bloc" is a misconception, as territorial integrity was not a founding goal of Agudat Yisrael. It suggests that prime ministers and Knesset speakers are, at best, political partners. The author points to the formation of the "Brothers Alliance" government by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, which excluded the Haredi parties, as a purely political calculation.

Looking ahead, the article posits that a pragmatic, interest-based approach is necessary. It suggests that cooperation might be required with parties perceived as "hypocritical" or those who excluded the Haredim, not out of ideological unity, but out of a shared interest in maintaining the status quo on issues like Shabbat, kashrut, and conversion. The immediate focus is on the conscription issue, with the goal of ensuring that all who wish can dedicate themselves to Torah study. The article concludes by stressing the need to protect the Haredi existence in Israel by ensuring the status quo and the future of Torah study, especially in light of the perceived opposition from unelected judicial officials.