Another Chapter in The WAR

 

“DELIBERATE CHILLUL HASHEM”: HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau Slams Smotrich’s Remarks Against Chareidim

HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, issued a sharp response Wednesday to controversial remarks made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich against the Chareidi community, describing the statements as a “deliberate public Chillul Hashem” and declaring that the obligation to protect Torah and its lomdim has become more urgent than ever.

The remarks were delivered during a visit by Rabbonim from Rechasim to the homes of HaRav Landau and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, where they sought guidance and brachos ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections.

During the meeting, HaRav Landau addressed recent comments by Smotrich, who had *questioned how anyone could remain Chareidi in Israel today and accused the Chareidi community of being ungrateful to Hashem.

“People who call themselves Torah-observant come and publicly declare that, chas v’shalom, there is no justification for being Chareidi in Eretz Yisroel,” HaRav Landau said. “This is a deliberate Chillul Hashem in public.”

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The Rosh Yeshiva added that there was no need to respond directly to Smotrich, but stressed the importance of responding to what he characterized as a grave affront to Torah.

HaRav Landau also invoked the longstanding instructions of the Chazon Ish regarding participation in Israeli elections.

“The Chazon Ish zt”l clearly instructed that it is obligatory to vote in government elections,” he said. “The Chazon Ish’s instruction has not changed. On the contrary, today the obligation to vote is doubled and redoubled, because, Rachmana litzlan, the Torah itself is being subjected to attack, and those who learn Torah are being treated as plunder, Hashem yishmereinu.”

Referring to support for United Torah Judaism, whose ballot designation is the Hebrew letter Gimmel, HaRav Landau declared that casting a ballot represented a public affirmation of the centrality of Torah.

“When voting Gimmel, we proclaim loudly, ‘We have nothing remaining except this Torah!’ Only Torah! Only Torah! Hakadosh Baruch Hu has nothing in His world except the four amos of halacha. Only Torah! Only Torah!”

He further emphasized that voters should make every effort to participate, even when doing so involves considerable inconvenience or personal sacrifice.

The Rosh Yeshiva said that each person should vote in their own place of residence and should not seek exemptions based on distance or other logistical difficulties.

The remarks followed two appearances by Smotrich earlier this week, including an election event organized by Arutz Sheva and another gathering in Ofra, where the finance minister made unusually sharp comments about the Chareidi community.

Asked why he had not publicly responded to criticism directed at him by HaRav Landau, Smotrich initially said he was reluctant to engage in a public dispute with a talmid chacham.

*“Let there not be, chas v’shalom, silence interpreted as agreement, because ‘beware of their burning coals,’” Smotrich said, referencing the traditional warning about showing respect to Torah scholars.

“If I thought responding would help, I would not respond to a talmid chacham,” he continued. “Incidentally, it pains me, and I daven to Hakadosh Baruch Hu that He should bring him, too, to teshuvah, but there is no need to respond.”

Smotrich then made additional remarks that drew criticism in Chareidi circles.

*“The Chareidim are ungrateful to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. They are completely blind. I do not understand how anyone can be Chareidi today,” he said.

The comments generated widespread criticism within the Chareidi community, particularly because they were directed in part at HaRav Landau, one of the leading Gedolei HaDor.

Wednesday’s remarks marked HaRav Landau’s first public response to the controversy.

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If i may and hopefully my words are perceived as positive and respectful:

Even back in Slabodka there were differences.

I dont believe Smotrich intended what he seems to have created. I believe in his heart he truly is a religious Jew. Times have changed and history reveals the strata of our rise from Hebrews, to Israelites, to Yehudim, and now as Jews. We have a long history in our relationship with Hashem. Challenges occurred, which were brought about to allow for change in that relationship. Out of chaos comes clarity.

We now seem at another bend in the road. There are different Tribes, who viewed their tafkid differently, but all together created a social and legal Nation. These Tribal remnants are still clashing. Yisroel and Yehuda need to be reunited.

It might be very beneficial for the two to meet for a discussion.

Regardless, we frum Jews must *stand strong for the Honor of Hashem and His Torah the only guide for the future.

*this does not in any way give support to the onslaught against Talmidim and the continued historical study of the Torah of Hashem. The war against Haredim and their way of serving Hashem is abominable. There are members of the Charedi community that are available for service in defending our Land, but not within an immoral framework. Dovid haMelech led a moral army.