According to MK Rav Moshe Gafne, Modi’in Illit Mayor Rav Yaakov Gutterman is acting contrary to the wishes of Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita. Gafne has turned to a local beis din claiming “the Degel Hatorah man” who serves as mayor is not complying with the rav’s directives.
Councilman (Agudas Yisrael) R’ Yehuda Freind has turned to a beis din headed by Rav Meir Kessler seeking to be appointed a deputy mayor. Freind feels Gutterman wanted to appoint him but the appointment was blocked by Councilman (Degel Hatorah) Mordechai Goldberg, who wants the position for himself.
After Freind turned to the beis din Gafne sent the dayanim a letter explaining everything that occurred was in line with the wishes of Rav Shteinman. Gafne explains that Goldberg was sent by Degel and anyone who has an issue should take it up with Degel, not Goldberg for he is not acting on his own. Gafne explains that he is aware that Gutterman wants to appoint Freind but Degel councilmen have been instructed to push for Goldberg for that is the wish of Rav Steinman and the party’s rabbonim shlita.
Gafne accuses Gutterman of acting independently despite agreement prior to the election.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
contrary to popular opinion, R. Shtienmen is not the only person in this generation to whom we listen. It may be true for the Litvish world (not including those who do not listen to him but to R. Aurebach or a few other great rabbis).
but the reality is that there are many other opinions by other Torah greats.
I think that Rav Yaakov Gutterman is a chassidish mentch who has a rebbe to whom he listens.
garlic, you may arguably be right. But, There is something called ‘The party line’ and someone who is elected to represent Degel, has to follow party discipline, and obey the Godol to whom Degel is aligned.