By Rabbi Yair Hoffman
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This article is about why Bnei Torah should vote in the WZO elections for the frum slates.
Let’s imagine, that we stand at the very formation of Klal Yisroel. It is time for the brachos. If things go as planned – well, Aisav would get the brachos. There is Daas Torah going both ways. Yitzchok Avinu says – let’s give it to Aisav. Rivka Imeinu says, “No Yaakov, take the funding away from Aisav and take it for yourself – for the future of Torah. Ki Haim Chayeinu! Say the words, ‘Anochi. Aisav Bechorcha.’
But what would have happened if there was a huge outcry against Yaakov? “How dare you say, ‘Anochi Aisav??!!” Aisav is a Rasha! He is a Kofer! He is a Rotzayach! He was me’anais a Naarah m’urasa! And you sign on saying Anochi Aisav??”
Ultimately, Yaakov Avinu did say, “Anochi. Aisav Bechorcha. And the Torah world developed along the path that it should have. Boruch Hashem.
This is essentially what is happening now. There are conflicting Daas Torahs. One side is saying, “But if you vote – you are joining up with Avodah Zarah! It is Kefira!”
The other side is saying, “The word Zionist is an anglicized version of the word Tzion – which appears in TaNach over 150 times. In Sefer Yishayahu Tzion is mentioned 47 times alone! LeMaan Tzion lo Echesheh – for the sake of Tzion – I shall not be silent (Yishahayu 62:1)! Why can’t we sign on a form and have in mind the true Torah definition of the true word? How are we allowing Kofrim to hijack a word and define the exclusive use of it?
Registering to vote for the frum slate in the WZO election with this in mind is less of a stretch than Yaakov Avinu’s use of Anochi. Aisav Bechorcha.
The secular nationalists used Jewish money to force frum kids into secular programs in what is known as the “Yaldei Teheran Affair.” They used it to tell Yemenite parents that their children died in Israeli hospitals and placed them instead in secular families in what is known as the Yaldei Teiman Affair.” The secular and non-frum groups want Women of the Wall to take over the Kosel.
Granted these may be isolated incidents – but at the heart of things – the secularists still use these moneys to Shmad Klal Yisroel. This is likely the reason Rav Chaim zatzal advised a shliach from England that they should vote for a Frum slate of delegates.
Should these moneys be used to further fund Israel Beiteinu and Conservative and Reform Jewish agendas – and create a secular anti-religious reality in Eretz Yisroel or should these funds be re-directed to Russian Kiruv – where Talmidei Chachomim Russian Jews teach in programs?
Should the moneys be used to further Reform Jewish programs? Or should they be used to bring down the $31,500 cost of sending a young lady to seminary? Why not have the money go to help the Kiruv programs directed at not-yet frum college kids and they end up in UNZERER Yeshivos – yes, that money is what brings our estranged brethren wherever they are – back home – back to their birthright of Sinai.
It is unfortunate that many on the side opposing the vote are saying that there is no Gadol of note saying to vote. This author knows that it is not true. There are many.
In fact, a Gadol of note reached out to me to write that it is a “Milchemes Mitzvah” to vote – his words. Just like there were two daas Torahs back then – that of Rivkah and Yitzchok – there are two daas Torahs now.
Some of those who are opposed to the WZO vote have laid claims that “NO ONE SAYS TO VOTE IN THE WZO ELECTION” and that those on the Frum Slates are lying, evil, diabolical people. They are not. The Gabbaim and family members of the Gedolim behind voting are not bribe-taking sellouts chalillah. They have honestly served the Gadol or Rosh Yeshiva with erlichkeit for years.
As far as the notion of having to vote and support for national service for those not doing IDF service. No one says that one must only fit the definition of the WZO writers – we can very well have in mind the Torah’s definition of national service – Torah, Chessed, Tefillah, etc.
If we speak to people in the trenches, in the Kiruv field itself, struggling for budgetary assistance and notwithstanding the financial support succeeding remarkably – we will see firsthand why the voting is life-saving. To save someone from spiritual Shmad – the Ramah rules that one may do (under certain circumstances) Chillul Shabbos.
If your Rebbe holds that doing so is Avodah Zarah then, of course, listen. But perhaps you might consider sending $500 or $1000 dollars to a Kiruv organization – so as not to miss out on this “Milchmes Mitzvah.” The main thing is to vote for a Chareidi slate. Both of these are good.
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The author can be reached at [email protected]
Online blogs and rumors notwithstanding, there has not been a public letter from a single member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel in America, or of any member of the moetzes of Degel Hatorah/Aguda in Eretz Yisroel in support of voting.
Therefore it seems the consensus of Gedolim is that the previous prohibition by nearly all Gedolim of the past 100 still stands.
many on the side opposing the vote are saying that there is no Gadol of note saying to vote. This author knows that it is not true. There are many.
SO NAME THEM
In fact, a Gadol of note reached out to me. SO NAME HIM
why is everyone afraid of using their name?
Why not vote for Orthodox Israel Coalition
Can rabbi hoffman pls list which torah institutions received funds thru eretz Hakodesh that they otherwise would not have received . What happened to “achrei rabbim lahatos” ?
This is a PERFECT example of why so many lack respect for “Rabbanim” & “Daas Torah”
Does the good Rabbi think we’re retarded & will not miss his lack of naming a SINGLE Gadol among the many he claims to support voting?
(& If our “Gedolim” &/or “Daas Torah” are scared to speak up for what they believe is right out of fear of whatever reason I think more important than whether to vote is we need to ask if we’re practicing true Yiddishkeit in the first place. In the Sanhedrin opinions would be given starting from the lowest to the highest lest a lower Rabbi feel uncomfortable speaking their mind against the opinion of a greater Rabbi.)
Please can we get a look at Eretz Hakodesh’s financials, where is their 990s?
Time to follow the money. I’d love to see some transparency with the money.
I’m voting for Orthodox Israel Coalition
Wow! Another infomercial brought to you by … Eretz Hakodesh
Firstly, many commentators explain Yaakov’s words differently, see Ohr Hachaim, that by purchasing the bechora he if fact was considered “Eisav”.
Secondly, a Blatant lie would not be allowed, how can one sign “Encouraging recruitment and service in the Israel Defense Forces and the security forces and strengthening them as the protective force of the Jewish people living in Zion, as well as encouraging full National Service for anyone exempted in law from service in the IDF”
Thirdly, WHO ARE THE GEDOLIM THAT SUPPORT THEM? Can we get a lette? Or we should trust the writer that 120 years of precedent has been overruled by anonymous Gedolim?
3 questions
The tzad keneged, Fill in the blank .
if we vote there is a chashash that_______________? Say it clearly please
Are we not weakinng the koach of the reform by moving the moneis in the right direction?
For those that vote in elections , why is this worse?
Maybe someone could explain to me why it’s okay to take money from the memshala and not this org.
Are you aware that in order to vote in the WZO election one must accept the Jerusalem Program? Have you read the Jerusalem Program?
A Beininee from a second rate yeshiva, what can you expect but Reform propaganda!
What I can’t understand is: TheWZO is not a political organisation It’s an organisation that gives out money in Eretz Yisroel. if your part of the organisation you have a say how to distribute the money. How does one draw a line from supporting Eretz Hakodesh to supporting Zionism. Perhaps they should change WZO to WJO world Jewish organisation
These cults need to be treated like the extremists they are because they do abuse people in a way that they deny and they abuse the taxes and they raise children to be dumb useless anti semites themselves self hating Jews no worse thing than thee haredi cult followers they need to be jailed and reeducated like Muslim extremists or Christian extremist they shouldn’t be in Israel that is only to cover up their strange cult ways with fake ideas of territorial kedusha
On behalf of the reform and near defunct conservative movement….for those not voting ERETZ HAKODESH thank you for keeping us and our activties alive…we gladly take $$$ that would otherwise be given to Orthodox yeshivas and seminaries, off the derech youth and more.
Listen closely kinderlach. Matan Torah was over three thousand years ago. But Daas Torah?!? Daas Torah is over four thousand years ago and goes back to our Avos!! That’s right kinderlach, even our Avos sought Daas Torah. And since the Motzos hadn’t been founded yet, they had to settle for Yitzchok Avinu and Soroh Imenu.
Huge מצוה to vote to bolster the religious, and absolute reprehensible shame & disgrace to anyone being so callous & self-hating Jew so as not to vote, and worse to discourage anyone else from voting, be it Satmar or Peleg or Lakewood or any other likewise evil minded person.