New York – (VINnews/By Rabbi Yair Hoffman) Klal Yisroel was always known as the Am Hashem – the nation that cleaved to HaKadosh Boruch Hu. Our Torah leaders have taught us that each member of Klal Yisroel possesses the capability if developing vast storehouses and wellsprings of Torah wisdom, midos, character qualities, and Mitzvah pursuits. Hashem Yisbarach does not skimp upon these at all. He provides them to us – bountifully.
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There are, however, blockages that must first be removed in order to access them. The ability to achieve Dveikus is contained deep within the soul of Klal Yisroel. Dveikus is a sense that Klal Yisroel has similar to that of seeing and hearing. It is part of our genetic fabric – it is just that the blockages to achieving it must first be removed.
These blockages can be removed through Torah learning, Davening, and acts of Chessed done with the correct Kavanah of mah hu rachum af attah rachum. The essence of our avodas Hashem in this world is to remove the blockages. We must develop and actualize this internal ability within us. We must take these storehouses and wellsprings of Torah knowledge and goodness from potential to reality.
One key to actualizing this inherent ability of Dveikus is through honoring our ability and obligation of Tefillah and the recitation of Brachos.
Many people erroneously believe that Tefilah and brachos are merely the recitation of words. Other people perceive Tefilah as the presentation of our requests to Hashem. The truth is that both are incorrect.
Tefillah represents something that is vastly different in its entire essence. Tefillah and Brachos are a ladder that can help us get to another place entirely – in terms of our ruchniyus, our spirituality.
Zionism, at its inception as a movement and in its secular form has attempted to strip us of our identity as the Am Hashem and replace it with that of secular nationalism. It was an attempt to make Klal Yisroel like any other nation – to deny us our destiny and heritage. Its secular leaders have deprived the youth of Klal Yisroel of their Torah heritage – their rightful birthright of Sinai.
However, let us make no mistake. Each member of Klal Yisroel has an obligation of Ahavas Yisroel and an obligation to look out for the well-being of all members of Klal Yisroel.
The plan for the Satmar rally is to vigorously protest the mandatory draft of Yeshiva students in a very public venue. Invariably, supporters of Hamas will join and the leftist media will have a field day. It will endanger the goal of the operation
It is unfair to target a draft toward a population that has been prodigiously studying their holy texts in the land of Eretz Yisroel, since before the rise of the state of Israel. It is likewise unfair to exempt entire other ethnicities from a forced draft and yet subject the Yeshiva population to a forced draft. But holding an anti-Zionist rally at this juncture, where the very lives of our brethren are at stake, is strengthening the hand of rotzchim – murderers. It is handcuffing the ability of the armed forces that are protecting Klal Yisroel from those who have sworn to continue murdering, raping, and beheading Jewish babies.
The saintly Satmar Rebbe zatzal, Rav Yoelish, would never, ever, ever have made a hafgana or a protest when it would chalila risk Yiddisha Neshamos. This is an ais tzarah for Klal Yisroel and the Satmar Rebbe’s love for Klal Yisroel would never have allowed such a risk, just as he would have never sanctioned turning to arkaos instead of a Bais Din to adjudicate a dispute – any dispute. Chas v’Shalom that such a rally be held now, much less attended. It should be cancelled immediately.
The elders of the town would bring the Eglah Arufah as a Korban because they did not accompany the stranger outside of town past where the robbers lay in wait. This, however, is far worse – because we are actively fomenting a threat o so many members of Klal Yisroel. This is a thoroughly misguided endeavour and could seriously end up putting Hamas back in a position where they can continue murdering Yidden. It is a violation of lo saamod al dam rayacha and also pure bitul Torah.
In general, the Gedolim of yesteryear, specifically, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l and Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l , were against all protesting in the United States. They were attuned to the possible repercussion of Chillul Hashem. It could very well be that the situation has now changed on account of instant media coverage that others would have agreed to Rav Moshe zt”l and Rav Aharon zt”l as well – nowadays.
In the 5748 edition of HaPardes Volume III page 9, the views of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l and Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l are cited in regard to the idea of protests. The American Moetzes Gedolei Torah at the time also felt that protests were highly counter-productive.
In the 5753 edition of HaPardes (Vol. IV p. 25), Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l also came out strongly against the idea of protests in regard to atrocities done to graves by archaeologist.
Torah learning, should of course, always be strengthened and letters should go out from every shul not to undermine Torah learning in any form, but chalilah to jeopardize Jewish life with a protest that will strengthen the hand of Aisav and Yishmael.
The author can be reached at [email protected]
Rabbi Hoffman – you ignore a key point which is that while some of the original Zionists had a goal to secularize Jewish identity, that was not the case with all – and in fact, is far from the majority view today. The majority of Israelis – and the majority of Zionists – are along a spectrum ranging from Traditional to Strictly Orthodox – but Satmar and their ilk are still fighting the long-gone “Secular Zionism” bogeyman of yesteryear.
And all this is without getting into the need for people to protect the Am Hashem HaYoshev b’Tzion…
Where is the hakaros hatov for the zionist country.
The secular state of Israel has supported more Torah learning than any other time in the history of Klal Yisroel!
Hundreds of thousands can sit and learn because the state supports them!!
Why people still believe the myth that Satmar means St Mary in the days of internet is unbelievable. A superficial google search will reveal that “the name Satu Mare means “great village” in Romanian. Also, “The Hungarian name of the town Szatmár is believed to come from the personal name Zotmar”.
Whatever your beef with Satmar is… try not to sound like an ignoramus.
“Zionism, at its inception as a movement and in its secular form has attempted to strip us of our identity as the Am Hashem and replace it with that of secular nationalism. It was an attempt to make Klal Yisroel like any other nation – to deny us our destiny and heritage. Its secular leaders have deprived the youth of Klal Yisroel of their Torah heritage – their rightful birthright of Sinai.” The author deserves credit for writing at least this much, but the inclusion of the word “secular”, which is intended to contrast to “Religious” is very wrong. Numerous gedolim signed on to a published kol korei in which the Brisker Rav wrote against “Religious” Zionism, too. It’s too bad that the truth can’t be stated to the audience for which this was originally written.
It would be amazing if this rally was not political. Instead it would be a rally on behalf of the hostages, who are Acheinu Beis Yisroel. It would protest the kidnapping of the innocent and demand an unconditional release, at the same time causing a tremendous kiddush Hashem showing the Ahava that Chareidim have for all Yidden, regardless of affiliation.
It’s cute that Rabbi Hoffman thinks Satmer will listen to his OP.
The reality is Satmer will do what it wants and for its own means as we have seen before. The only way I think klal yisroel can stop them from this terrible aveira that will no doubt bring gzeiros koshos milimaaleh upon our brothers in eretz yisroel is if the leadership (Motzos? RCA?, etc.) stands strong and acts in the ways of the Noverminsker Rebbe Zatzal. The Noverminsker stood up lifnei am veoda and called out Open Orthodoxy as minim. We must do the same and warn Satmer that if they do this which inevitably supports Hamas YM”S, they have crossed a red line and will be considered rodfim amongst klal yisroel. They will be viewed in the same way the group they spawned – nitureo karta- is viewed. They will no longer be seen for their piety, their chesed, and all the other zchusim they have. This one act alone that will harm klal yisroel immeasurably, will put them outside the camp of Yaakov.
In general I really appreciate your opinion and clarification of sometimes complicated subjects. But this time I think with all due respect you missed the fact that this shabbos in Tal Aviv there were almost a half a million jews protesting the war and criticizing the government.
So they are allowed to be Machalel Shabbos in public and Hammas is actually BANKING on this with there sociological warfare
But When Satmar should raise there voice of protest against DRAFTING BNAI TORA that’s what Hammas has been waiting for . . . ?
You know what reb yoilish would have done now better then the current leaders of satmar?? How condescending
Satmar does not need any guidance from a rabbi in the Five towns on what the Satmar rebbe Ztl would or wouldn’t do.
THIS IS THE TIME TO SHOUT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS…TIMNE FOR SILENCE HAS GIVEN JEWS NOTHING BUT MORE TERROR.
JEWS MUST GET UP EARLIER IN THE MORNING AND FIGHT BACK HARDER THEN EVER AND HASHEM WILL MAKE THE WEAKEST OF US STRONGER THEN DAVEED HAMELECH…..
STAND UP STRONG AND FIGHT….
I DONT CARE WHAT SATMAR OR ANYONE DOES ACCORDING TO THIER JUDGEMENTS
SIGNS ARE OBVIOUS…WE MUST FIGHT AND
DESTROY CRUSH THE ENEMIES..NO MORE NEGOTIATIONS
I have one question for Rabbi Horowitz, who do you think you are? Every article you right is the same tone, that’s only you know everything.
Rabbi Hoffman
Who are these “ Zionists” u are talking about ? Herzl ? Ben Gurion ?
You have created a bogeyman that you then can use to justify not going to the army and talking down to those who are protecting u and your family ,
Why talk about “ Zionists “ when in fact every torah adhering Jew is a Zionist as we attest to in our Tefilos multiple times a day ,
We live and learn and yearn in and for Israel , Eretz Yisroel , and we need an army to protect us as I am sure when you visit Israel you will not go to visit anyplace that is not under the army protection and you ignore or are allowing yourself to be ignorant to the fact that tens of thousands of Frum Ehrlich men who are married with family and children leave their entire life , home , family , parnassah and put their lives on the line in Miluim reserve duty to help allow you and me and our families who visit and live in Eretz Yisroel to help be safe and be able to be there .
Have you forgotten the Daf Yomi of not so long ago as to who is exempt from taking part in supporting the building of a defensive wall and the Rishonim who say exemption may only be “ Chad Bedoreh “ and the others who say at very least exemption is only somebody who every free moment is learning , and the Chazon Ish and Chasam Sofer who discuss situations where the obligations needed cannot be expected to be carried out only by some then even the very few people exceptions can not exclude themselves .
Rabbi Hoffman it is unconscionable and self serving to hide behind “ Zionists “ to avoid taking part in what would be morally , ethically and yes likely Halachicaly required as a member of a city or community when it comes to Pikuach Nefesh and a challenge to the Kahal .
The definition of “ Kofui Tov “ as Rashi so beautifully defines is “ einoie makir sh’kibul Tovah” , this terrible Midah is one who doesn’t allow themselves to recognize they received something good from somebody else .
At the very least what you should be writing of is if we are not going take our part on the front lines then at least let us truly have Hakoras Hatov to all these
“ Zionists “ that put their lives on hold and on the line for all of us .
Satmar will not allow “supporters of Hamas” to join any of their protests.
Goot gezukt.
Satmar does much chesed
Language has changed. The goyish “anti-Zionists” would call Satmar “Zionist” if they understood what Satmar people actually believe.
I would like to know, where in the Torah does it say people learning is exempt from the Army?
That is not Satmar that is NK. Satmar came out very very much against the activities you describe here of NK.
The author misspoke about R’ Moshe Zatzal not being pro any machah’s in Chutz La’aretz.
Just sayin
It is very simple. The Holocaust taught us that we need our own country to protect ourselves. Satmer and their ilk did not learn that lesson. They are unteachable.
Do not give any tzeducka to any Satmar people who come to your shul. Let them go to their Rebbe and get money.
When did it become fashionable, more like chutzpadik, to refer to the Satmar Rov ztl as Reb Yoelish?
He was ALWAYS Reb Yoel! This new name is something fairly new, maybe the last 10-15 years or so.
To shmendrick : As always I am with you , this is not only about CHILUL HASHEM , RATHER how much blood shed for E. YISRUL s Yidden will this bring about in so MANY ways .
there is absolutely no affiliation between Neturei Karta and Satmar, ZERO.
I have something to say here that no one can or will argue with. I just raised the comment count by one.
Where is uneducated archy when we need it him??
You are conflating NK and Satmar which is at least avak motzei Shem ra.
Why is all the other protesting in E”Y fair game but this isn’t?
Learning Torah is a more productive use of their time. It’s also greater protection for Klal Yisroel than a chossid with a rifle.
Taking a walking tour through Maya shareem unarmed yeah look in the mirror and at your mom you’ll see what you’re calling us. Stay in Brooklyn
Tzaddik posting vulgar filthy word.
You piece of shit
Without getting involved : Those words : NEVER EVER ,,,,,MADE HAFGUNE ,,,,,,,,,CHAS V SHALOM ,,,, HELD NOW ,,,,,” highly appreciated.
Rabbi Hoffman. If it is true that Satmar is planning a demonstration this month, it’s because of the upcoming election. Their patrons, the Democratic Party, needs cover for their anti Israel bias, and a demonstration by Satmar would give it to them. So Satmar is complying with their wishes in exchange for more funding. It’s simple.
We have to make such a rally, we dont have a choice the way our chinuch and yeshivos are set up separated from outside influence ITS LITERLY ABOUT KEEPING OUR YOUTH FRUM. The discussion should just be about our neglected rights rather than about the IDF as a whole.
The correct hashkafa here is to daven for the yechidim (the hostages and the soldiers) because they are yiddin – our brothers. But we don’t have to daven for the state of Israel or the Israeli army that is anti torah and going against what Hashem wants.
We should daven that everyone should be safe and the bloodshed should stop. We say in elokay nitzar “hafer atzasom v’kalkal machashavtom” not that our enemies should be destroyed but that their counsel and intentions should be reverted and annulled. We just want there to be peace.
THE ONE TRUE GD ALONE
THE CREATOR IS A ZIONIST
KING DAVIS WROTE ABOUT ZTION
EVERY PROPHET SPOKE ABOUT ZTION
IT ALL DEPENDS HOW NEGATIVE YOU WANT TO MAKE LIFE IN JUDAISM.
TAKE ME TO ZTION
THERE WE SAT REMEMBERING ZTION
SO HOW MUCH DO YOU HATE JUDAISM I ASK YOU AND ITS WHY YOU INTERPRETE THE WAY YOU DO….
POLITICS COME AND GO WITH EACH NEW GRADUATING CLASS
RABBIS COME AND GO
ALL THE SHAKING BOBBING AND BANGING THE HEAVENS IS MEANINGLESS WITH
LIKE YOUR ARROGANCE AND EGOS
BASICALLY YOURE ALL FULL OF BALONEY
YOURE ALL OVER EDUCATED IDIOTS
ZTIONISM IS ETERNAL
ANONYMOUS SAYS: Actually, it is Zionism that gave the Jews terror (and the Holocaust, for that matter). Both the Torah and history are obvious.
LIST OF SOME TERROR GIVEN TO JUDAISM:
KINGS AGAINST DAVID / EVERY KING ISRAEL HAS FOUGHT ZIONSIM / ABRAHAM ……
GOSPELS MATHEW / JOHN / PAUL / CONSTANTINE / TURTULIAN / EVERY POOP INVATICA / EVERY XTIAN DECREE / SPAINISH INQUISITIONS /POGROMS / CRUSADES / HITLERS / ASHKANAZ REBBE AGAINST REBBE /
ASHKANAZ AGAINST SEPHARDEEM …..
WANT MORE…
THIS IS MY HOBBY I HAVE A LIST OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU ..RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE THAT WE SHOULD QUESTION YOUR LINEAGE IF YOU ARE JEWISH OR A MIXED BREED….
I AM TRYING TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS SITE. ITS REALLY VERY IMMATURE GENIUSES THAT COMMENT HERE, BUT YOU KEEP COMMENTING TO ME….
RIGHTEOUS SCHOLLARS…..WHEREYOU BOB BACK AND FORTH NON STOP AS IF YOU’RE HOLY…..REDICULOUS ASHKANAZ CUSTOM.
WAS IT RABBI MOSHE FEINSTIEN THAT ASKED IF YOU WOULD SHAKE AND BOB IN FRONT OF THE KING?
You don’t need to be a posek to know that one doesn’t protest Israel when they are at war.
To mmmjm : Spot on , you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT !
it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
A rally in the USA against a specific Israeli policy in Israel is just going to look like an anti zionist protest, ie, support for anti-semitism. The rest of the world doesn’t see the difference between the Jews and Israel – they for sure will not see the nuances within Judaism, to differentiate between support for Israel or the Charedi draft.
“Zionism, at its inception as a movement and in its secular form has attempted to strip us of our identity as the Am Hashem and replace it with that of secular nationalism” This is either a spectacularly ignorant falsehood or a spectacularly evil lie. Zionism is central to Judaism. Anyone reading Ramban would understand this. The Zionist movement was led by religious Jews prior to Herzl. And anti-Zionists whether religious or not endanger the lives of Jews everywhere.
Does anyone here learn Nach? If you did, it would be clear why there is a Medina however imperfect it is. I persoanally believe the key question we must consider is why Hashem established the Medina, a key step in the Geula Sheleima as taught by the Neviim, via the kofrim instead of the Shomrei Torah U’Mitzvos.
It will be interesting to see how many anti Zionists will refuse to make aliyah when life in America becomes intolerable due to antisemitism.
The State of Israel was created after the holocaust on the backs of six million Jewish men, women and children who were brutally killed for none other then they were JEWS. No one, NOT EVEN SATMAR, can blame any JEW for wanting their own piece of land, their own country ISRAEL, after such a debacle that befell the Jews during the holocaust.
That said, I hear where Satmar is coming from, their philosophy was/is that;
1) Jews didn’t have the right to proclaim their own country/government prior to the advent of MOSHIACH.
2) A country governed by non-religious jews in a non-religious way.
One of the questions people ask is, does the Satmar shitah override the idea of Jewish self determination or does the idea of Jews needing a country like Israel override the Satmar Shitah?
P.S. Had their been a country, Israel, ten years prior to 1948, say 1938, there would not have been six million korbonos !
VIN, please delete the comments, there’s an NK hater and liar attacking Yidden and particularly Eretz Yisroel with sheker and curses..
By the way, no hate, was aiming for constructive criticism, said with love towards all Yiden, including the satmars.
what nonsense to thing this protest will put lives at risk
zionism is great
Are Naturei Karta joining with Satmar?
In a time when we need achdus there are 2 groups who decided to lash out.
I can understand the 1) Chilonim they don’t know the reason for achdus so they are starting the draft ideas again. But 2) Satmar knows we need achdus why aren’t they smart enough to find another way to deal with it. Belz made a compromise deal and they are fine, and Satmar should follow their lead.
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/319641
SOMEONE SENT ME THIS LINK
I AMSORRY I OPENED IT
I SEE THE MENTALITY OF THE ASHKANAZ HASNT CHANGED
I CANT GO ALONG WITH IT
THE FIRST THINK IS THAT I AM NOT YIDDEN
I AM A JEW
YIDDISH IS NOT A LANGUAGE BUT A PERVERSION OF A LANGUAGE…
NOW YOU CAN GO BACK TO BEING A JENEXT YOU ARE NOT UNDER A SOCIALIST GOVERMENT…YET UNLESS YOU VOTE FOR KAMALA AND HER NAZI PARTNER AGAIN.
GENERALLY SPEAKING I SEE THE ASHKANAZ MENTALITY NEEDS A LOT OF REPAIRING…..THE SATMARS HAVE THE 3 OATHS OF JEWS CANNOT GO TO ISRAEL UNTIL THE MASHIACH ACCORDING TO THE TALMUD IS INTERPRETED WRONG….
I KNOW SATMARS ARE GENIUSES AND YOURE OFFENDED WHEN SOMEONE CRITIQUES SATMAR…BUT SHOW ME PROVE TO ME WHERE HASHEM SAID TO MARCH WITH YOUR KILLERS AND FOR YOUR KILLERS AND SHOW ME THE HALACHA THAT SATMARS SAY JEWS CANNOT MAKE ALIYA UNTIL MASHIUACH…NOT THE 3 OATHS….THERE IS NO HALACHA..
NOW READ THE 3 OATHS THOROUGHLY….
I CAN NOT RETURN TO THIS SITE.
THESE IS NOT NORMAL PRACTICAL COMMENTS
generally speaking