KOL KOREI REGARDING THE ELECTIONS FOR THE WZO
[Free Translation]
The Zionist Movement was founded 125 years ago with the purpose of
uprooting 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 nations who are defined by a common
language, culture and land. Since, in the words of Rav Saadiah
Gaon, "our nation is a nation by virtue of its Torah," the gedolim
of that time did battle with this movement and ruled that anyone
who considers himself a Jew may not support it in any manner
whatsoever. It was for this reason that they founded Agudath
Israel to prevent those who keep Torah and mitzvos from joining
the Zionist Movement.
Accordingly, the geonim the Chofetz Chaim, the Gerrer Rebbe, Rav
Chaim of Brisk, the Chazon Ish, Rav Aharon Kotler, the Steipler,
Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach, and Rav Yosef Shalom Eliashiv,
zichronam livracha, forbade joining the World Zionist Organization
(WZO). The Chofetz Chaim ruled that it is forbidden to join it
even if this means a third of the yeshivos will have to close.
Similarly, recently, a ruling forbidding this was issued by Maran
HaGaon Rav Dov Landau shlit"a.
About five years ago, a party of Chareidim was formed with the
declared intention of joining the WZO. It claimed that thereby
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. Now that at this time there are elections for the WZO,
this party and others similar to it have embarked on a massive
advertising campaign to convince those committed to Judaism to
vote for them to become delegates to the WZO.
In order to vote, the voter must sign a declaration that he
accepts upon himself the Zionist ideology, which does not
recognize that the Jewish people is bound by the Torah. He also
declares that he encourages participation in the IDF and that
those who are exempt must serve in Sherut Leumi (national service
for both yeshiva students and Chareidi girls). The elected
delegates become full partners in the activities of the WZO,
including those that negate the Torah. We therefore believe that
it is forbidden to vote in these elections.
We do not intend to impugn the honor of those distinguished rabbis
who ruled that it is permitted. However, our opinion is that there
are many issurim (prohibitions) involved here, both for the voters
and for the delegates. 1) There is a massive chillul Hashem in
declaring acceptance of the heretical ideas of the WZO. 2) It is
forbidden to agree to matters that the Torah leadership of Klal
Yisroel says are forbidden. 3) For elected delegates, it is
forbidden to join a group of sinners (hischabrus l'resha'im). 4)
The voters are mesayei'a lidei aveirah (assisting in the
commission of aveiros). It is obvious that the money hoped to be
received from the WZO does not justify these serious issurim.
We have therefore agreed to publicize our opinion that it is
forbidden to vote for any party in the election for the WZO. We
firmly believe that Hashem has ways to preserve Torah amongst the
Jewish people without resorting to violating these issurim.
We wish a pleasant life replete with the blessings promised to
those who sanctify the Name of Hashem and who abstain from joining
with those who uproot Judaism. May Hashem grant that we merit
speedily that the entire Jewish people return to their Father in
Heaven and accept upon themselves the yoke of Torah. May all of us
together become a kingdom of servants of Hashem and a holy
people.
For this we have gathered and agreed upon on Thursday, the 20th of
Adar, 5785.
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America
