by Rabbi Yair Hoffman
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In a significant move that has sparked discussion within Jewish communities, Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, the rabbinic leadership council of Agudath Israel of America, has released a formal declaration opposing participation in the upcoming World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections.
The declaration, titled “Kol Korei Regarding the Elections for the WZO,” emphasizes the organization’s position that it is “forbidden to vote for any party in the election for the WZO.” The statement is signed in teh name of Moetzes and was agreed upon at a gathering on Thursday, the 20th of Adar, 5785.
The document traces the historical context of WZO’s founding 125 years ago, describing it as an effort to “uproot the foundations of Judaism and redefining the Jewish people from ‘a kingdom of servants of Hashem and a holy people’ into a nation like all other nations.” According to the declaration, Agudath Israel was established specifically to counter those who sought to separate Torah from Jewish national identity.
The rabbinic leaders express particular concern about what they describe as theological contradictions in the WZO’s platform. The statement references the position of the Chofeitz Chaim zt”l, the Gerrer Rebbe zt”l, Rav Chaim of Brisk zt”l, and other prominent rabbinical figures who opposed participation in the Zionist Organization.
Of particular note is the declaration’s response to recent developments. It mentions that approximately five years ago, “a party of Chareidim was formed with the declared intention of joining the WZO,” claiming they would “rescue the holy sites of Israel from control by the Reform and that they would thereby direct monies of the WZO to the yeshivos.”
This appears to mark a shift from the position taken at the Agudah Convention five years ago, where the organization’s “unofficial” platform actually encouraged individuals to vote for the Orthodox slate of candidates in WZO elections. The current declaration takes a significantly more stringent stance, listing several religious concerns including what it terms “issurim” (prohibitions) involved in participation.
While this declaration represents the official position of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, it is important to note that on matters of Jewish law and religious practice, individuals must consult with their own rabbis or poskim (halachic decisors) for personal guidance. The declaration itself represents a halachic ruling from this specific rabbinic body, and as with all matters of Jewish law, individuals may seek counsel from their own religious authorities.
The statement seems to reject the notion suggested by those who encouraged supporting the Chareidi slates of candidates that a voter when voting can define “Zionism” as the Torah’s definition of love of Zion rather than the secular definition of it and that National Service should be defined by the Torah’s definition of “national service” rather than the definition presented by secularists.
The statement concludes with a prayer for Jewish unity and return to traditional values, expressing hope that “the entire Jewish people return to their Father in Heaven and accept upon themselves the yoke of Torah.”
Agudath Israel of America, founded in 1922 as an American branch of the worldwide Agudath Israel movement, has long represented the interests of Torah-observant Jews in the United States, particularly those affiliated with the Haredi community.
The author can be reached at [email protected]
Enough already. I voted, and followed rabbonim who urged voting. Enough.
The gedolim have spoken. They steer our ship through the stormy waters of galus. Even if their kol koreh seems at first glance counter-intuitive, we should follow, as they have the da’as Torah that we need. (Remember when Mordechai said not to go to the banquet – Ay, it’s good citizenship to go!)
VIN NEWS CENSORING COMMENTS AS USUAL
First comment here worth reading!
We know now what Reb Shmuel holds now. Because Rav Feldman called his house and the Gabbai informed him. Seriously. Thats what they saying
Too much
Muslims are United?
I must have missed all the terrorist attacks of Muslims on muslims
But they serve in the knesset?
i ask in a respectful way and please explain the difference
why when it comes to voting in EY do Rabbanim allow to vote and many encourage
why when it comes to taking money do yeshivas take money and when cut backs are made there is a cry out
why do people not born in EY go to live in EY where they are using roads, hospitals, police, fire, security etc of the state?
what is the difference between all this and voting now
I voted Day 1, and I’m glad I did. At that time, I was aware of only one religious slate. I’m hope they will get some of those millions to spend on orthodox Jewish causes in Israel.You can help a lot of people with millions of dollars.My definition of Zionism is I love the land that Hashem gave to my people. It’s my religious definition. I don’t need any else’s definition. It’s all about me when I vote.
Agudah?
Yep
I voted for the Orthodox slate. I don’t want rabbi Sally taking over rabbinical duties at the Kotel.
As a 3rd generation Agudist, I can recall the Moetzes members of yesteryear. Really sorry to say this. – Today’s version has clearly lost the plot. I’ll follow my mainstream Rabbonim of past and current who advocate voting and I will do so. It’s no different than the religious parties in the Israeli government which vote in the Knesset and take government money. It’s a no-brainer. Here’s a chance to defund those which threaten the today way of life Israel AND fund our moisdos.
Learn what? It all conflicts & contradicts itself. I’ve been at dinner tables with yeshiva bochurs arguing over plates, utensils, the validity of each other’s Rav’s opinions – they were asked to stop or leave. They stopped cos food …
I have absolutely nothing to do with Reb malkiel. He’s not part of the leadership of any Kehilla I’m a part of. So what makes me rejecting his leadership?
theirs no letterhead of agudas yisroel
and no signatures leading me to think their isnt a 100 % consensus regarding this decision
and mirrer yeshiva in jerusalem is said to have received a substantial sum and were supportive of their students voting
that being said we are a lost generation a ship w/o a captain ,a generation of orphans
let everyone follow his own ravs psak
How about reaching out to the yeshiva in Philly and finding out if RTeb Shmuel was consulted? How about finding out what each and every Member of Moetzes actually said on the subject? You’re trusting the lying Aguda political office about something that you have no idea if this ever took place. The picture posted of the meeting shows Reb Shmuel Shlia, rav Aaron feldman Shlita amongst others sitting around a table in Aguda office. Did they actually drag these Ziknei Klal Yisroel to Manhattan for this discussion? Do you actually believe they who claim to be respectful to Daas Torah did such an inhumane thing?
I was afraid that this will happen. Really sad
Why the sudden change from all the prior years?
when did R Feldman join the moetzes?
does anyone remember him speaking in Baltimore MD, his home town, on the subject?
why does BMG need him? they have their own roshei yeshiva
Is it true that Hagaon Hagadol Rav Chaim Kanievsky ZTK’L had urged Yidden to participate in the vote, 5 years ago? (obviously for the Torah platform).
If so, what changed? I am sure the Moetzes took that into consideration.
Asking respectfully
“The generation” DID NOT “openly rejects its leadership” because as chashuv. holy, brilliant, etc. as the rabbonim of “Moetzes” are, they were never appointed nor elected by Rov Tzibbur to any form of Srorah. They are NOT a Sanhedrin Hagadol. NOT Shiva Tuvei Ha’ir. nor any other recognized leadership position. Being appointed by the person in charge of Agudah to join his “Moetzes” does not make you manhig hador any more so than if he did not choose you. Said with all due respect, and kavod haromemus of the individual rabboniom under discussion.
I don’t need anyone telling if I can vote and if I vote who to vote for. This is pure audacity.
This has nothing to with anything directly,
But remember when Morechai used to sit at the king’s gate and answer questions directly to every fool who wanted to know something? I miss those days.
I am a gadol Hador and and no one asked for my opinion!
The only people who say “do not question the gadolim” are also called Christians. We davven 3x a day and say “Atta Chonain LeAdam Daas”. Not give Daas to gedolim. We, the people have Daas, and we should make our own decisions. Daas Torah is to guide someone who does notearn or have Daas. But for people who do, we can make our own decisions.
This has nothing to do with anything directly, but remember when Mordechai used to sit at the king’s gate and answer questions to every fool who wanted to know something? I miss those days.
Maybe the rabbonim should not be the ones leading our communities. Maybe it should be war fighters. And thank Gd, Israel has an abundance of war fighters
Fail to see how they are diff? The moetzes guides the agudah
Who appointed the “Gedolim”? Were they elected? Just curious. I do not mean this in a disrespectful manner. Are they universally accepted? Thank you.
Rabbi Hoffman, do I ever need to consider what the Moetzes or can I just rely on what you wrote below?
While this declaration represents the official position of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, it is important to note that on matters of Jewish law and religious practice, individuals must consult with their own rabbis or poskim (halachic decisors) for personal guidance. The declaration itself represents a halachic ruling from this specific rabbinic body, and as with all matters of Jewish law, individuals may seek counsel from their own religious authorities.
Duh!? Of course. They wouldn’t dare go against Reb Aharon Feldman’s word. The OU on the other hand has been very quiet about this because they’re in a bind. The Executive Vice President is a musmach of Ner Yisroel and would definitely support participating in the WZO elections. Just like the EVP (who’s by the way a big talmid chochom) is very supportive of Eretz Yisroel, the soldiers, etc, and rightfully so attended that huge support for Israel event in Washington DC after October 7th, even though Rav Aharon Feldman urged the yeshivas and others not to participate in it.
Just found this comment elsewhere:
“I am BH a very close talmid of reb avrohom gurwicz, I spoke to him last week, and as he said, the old prohibition against wzo definitely doesn’t apply any more, because times have changed, I’m not gonna explain in depth why it has changed, but we don’t need proofs to show that times change, ask reb aharon Feldman, yes everyone is quoting him, so ask him why he allows limudei chol in his yeshivah, when the netziv and all the earlier gedolim were fire against it, the netziv even closed his yeshiva to stop it, yes reb aharon will tell you that times have changed, period, same thing here, reb aharon tried to call up reb avrohom, and reb avrohom respectfully explained to him why he disagrees, I’m not telling anyone what to do, but listen to your godol, and reb avrohom is the unified gadol of European jewry…
למען ציון לא אשקוט
Anyone defying this פסוק does not belong in Shul on שבת נצבים
Pretty sad when ‘gedolim’ call thousands of yidden that listened to their rabbeim and voted – eirav Rav and amaleik.
mark a shift from the position taken at the Agudah Convention five years ago
?? anyone can find the statements last time signed by many members of the Moetzes AND from Agudah saying not to vote!
Just perhaps, the very delay in issuing this peak was to allow everyone to vote their own conscience, as guided by their own rabbonim. This way the issurim identified are posited for further discussion and clarification, without actually impacting the possible distribution of funds. Brilliant!
I don’t like use of the phrase “Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America,” which presents a misleading impression as if the group of [9? whatever] rabbis has a religious status of being anything more than a group of 9 rabbis. Or that they have any religious status to tell America what to do more so than if they were speaking for themselves. Let these these tzaddikim talmidei chachomim use their own names. They can speak for themselves without using a trademark or brand name.
Just wondering, will this declaration of the Moetzet bring more Jews closer to yiddishkiet????
I fear that it will do just the opposite
Agudath Israel of America should be shut down immediately
What happened to Rabbi Hoffman’s giluy daas/ Psak halacha that was posted earlier today?
Why not just interpret Agudah’s prohibiting voting as actually requiring voting?
I think any Rav who does not support Zionism should leave Eretz Yisroel and go live elsewhere. You can’t denounce Zionism and at the same time live under Zionist protection.
Agudah:- Naturei Karta:- Satmar:- Peleg:- Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva:- 5 tragic interchangeable words.
Nice to see they’re sacrificing Torah yidden on the altar of whatever they think they’re accomplishing.
Suffice it to say:- We are sick of the Agudah. Anyone not reciting Hallel on Yom-ha’Atzmaut or Yom Yerusholayim doesn’t practice Hakoros HaTov nor gratitude, so so not not an authority to take any notice whatsoever to heed them.
Vote for either Mizrachi, ZOA and a few others. Vote, vote, vote !!!!