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14 Tammuz, 5781 - June 24, 2021 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Remarks of HaRav Nosson Zochovsky About the Current Situation, the Past and Future Prospects

by D Tzfatman

HaRav Zochovsky is in the center with his hands together. Next to him is HaRav Yosef Efrati. At the right Rabbi Gafni is visible.
3

Morai verabosai. here we have noted the changing situation. We wish to speak, as a man to his friend, as one who remembers the situation which existed before joining the coalition in the past, as one who remembers the events which took place until we were altogether permitted to join it.

It was no simple matter to enter the coalition [when this was first done by Agudas Yisroel many years ago]. I remember that HaRav Shach sent me, together with HaRav Shlomo Berman, to the Steipler, when it was finally decided to allow joining the coalition.

I also recall that for the first time, Begin, then head of the Likud and prime minister, wanted to give our rabbinical representatives positions in the government, even including ministerial and deputy ministerial offices. The question then arose regarding which of these posts we could assume.

Yet in the very first government established [in 1948, when all the religious parties were at first part of the governing coalition], HaRav Aharon Kotler sent a letter advising against accepting such a position without consulting Torah leaders. He mentioned HaRav Isser Zalman Meltzer, who was strongly against this.

Therefore, when Begin suggested those offices, many prestigious rabbonim visited the then current gedolim with this question, voicing their objection to accepting such positions, myself amongst them, fearing that [a ministerial post] would constitute a situation of partnership [with heretics].

Begin urged our acceptance on the grounds that it would gain us much influence and greater assistance. We presented this issue to HaRav Shach, but in the end, the position of Chairman of the Finance Committee in the Knesset was suggested as being much more influential with a lesser degree of government partnership. I recall that HaRav Shach then said to me lightly, on the very threshold of his home, "Nu, is everyone happy now?"

It turned out that the chairmanship of the Finance Committee was very helpful during the era of Rabbi Shlomoh Lorencz. Today all can see what Rabbi Gafni has accomplished in this position for the Torah world. But it must be remembered that all this was not so smooth and simple.

We must remind ourselves that we survived during those periods when we did not join the coalition. Undoubtedly, we cannot begin to describe the prodigious accomplishments of our Torah representatives within the framework of the coalition, and the major assistance they brought to the Torah world, as the Torah leaders foresaw in permitting joining the coalition. Now, however, when they decided that we not join, let us not be despondent. We survived without this and will continue to do so with the help of Hashem.

As we stand here now, we must remember to thank those devoted Torah representatives for all their accomplishments. We saw how even the evil angels bowed in agreement, against their will as it were, in hailing the works of Rabbi Gafni through his role as head of the Finance Committee. We bemoan his departure therefrom, but this is the situation in which we find ourselves, accepting credit for the withdrawal as well as for the joining in its time. Each representative did his blessed best for all we hold to be holy. Now, however, the situation has changed and we must all do our utmost for Hashem's sake, with love.

People ask and are concerned, especially the young folk, regarding the future. But we must know that while we saw extreme blessing during the tenure, we are not dependent upon it. Our form of effort has changed, even though hishtadlus always existed. HaRav Shach — and Rabbi Moshe Gafni surely remembers — used to rave about Rabbi Dubin who was the Jewish representative in the Lithuanian Seijm parliament. When he removed his tefillin each morning, he would suddenly be surrounded by people with personal requests. And truly, like all activists throughout all periods in history, he would do his utmost to help them within the context of their positions.

Our concern should be mainly focused upon the condition of Klal Yisroel under the rule of such a government which seeks to uproot all that is dear and holy. This should be our worry.

HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and the Rosh Yeshiva wrote a joint letter to the public. But alongside this general message, the Rosh Yeshiva made two comments: One - to minimize involvement with the media and not to make an issue about anything because this merely causes damage. Second - not to act hastily, but to think before acting.

Chazal tell us that Bilaam sought to curse our people but Hashem converted the curse to blessing. "Rabbi Yochonon said that from the blessing of that evil one we learn what he truly wished to say, that there be no botei knesses or botei midrash (Bamidbor 24:5). 'How goodly are your tents, Yaako?' Curses which were said were transformed to merits and blessing. Why does this blessing not assume the form of curse? Because houses of prayer and study cannot stop existing even for a short term, for without them, there is no continuity to the Jewish people."

Even in this present situation where bodies seek to create a condition like the curse [of Bilaam] for Jewry, we must see to it that the houses of Torah and prayer continue at every moment. We must strengthen them and stand by their side lest they not be forgotten from our seed forevermore. Hashem will help to foil the counsel of the wily and to bring down this evil government, and then He shall have dominion [over the whole world]. Amen.

 

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