Rabbi Dov Lando Addresses Controversy Over Remarks on National-Religious Community
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Rabbi Dov Lando addressed the controversy over his harsh remarks about the national-religious community, claiming his words were distorted. He criticized those who misrepresented his private comments and warned against conflicts with those opposing Torah scholars. His initial remarks accused parts of the national-religious sector of inciting violence and supporting wars for honor rather than salvation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Dov Lando publicly responds to backlash over his comments on the national-religious community.
- He claims his words were distorted and taken out of context in a private conversation.
- Lando warns against disputes with those who persecute Torah scholars under the guise of faith.
- He previously called some national-religious individuals 'wicked' and accused them of inciting murder.
- The controversy highlights tensions between ultra-Orthodox and national-religious groups in Israel.
Rabbi Dov Lando, a leading figure in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, spoke publicly for the first time about the backlash following his critical comments about the national-religious sector. At a rabbinical gathering on Sunday, he claimed his words were misrepresented and taken out of context. In a clarification published in the Lithuanian community's Yated Ne'eman newspaper, Rabbi Lando warned against disputes with those who, under the guise of faith, persecute Torah and its scholars. He said such people "cannot understand or delve into our worldview," and accused them of distorting his private remarks out of hatred for the Jewish people.
The controversy erupted after Rabbi Lando, in a private conversation with Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, head of the Mir Yeshiva, and Rabbi Binyamin Finkel, the yeshiva's supervisor, harshly criticized the national-religious community. He labeled some as "wicked" and equated those wearing knitted kippot with them, accusing them of inciting murder by supporting wars not for salvation but for national honor.
Rabbi Lando's comments have stirred significant public debate within Israeli religious circles, highlighting tensions between ultra-Orthodox and national-religious groups. The rabbi's clarification suggests an attempt to mitigate the fallout by emphasizing misunderstandings and urging caution in inter-community disputes.
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