In keeping with custom in Israel, the president is among the notables who address the opening session of the Knesset. As such, President Shimon Peres today, 3 Cheshvan, addressed the opening of the winter session of Knesset, along with the Knesset speaker, prime minister and opposition leader.
One of the main points of the president’s address was directed at the growing chareidi community, to join the workforce and integrate into society. “The Torah commands us to honor the Shabbos, the day of rest, and to work during the week. I am calling on the chareidi sector to increase its place in the nation’s workplace”. Mr. Peres called on employers to open their doors and accommodate chareidim.
“I know that many chareidim have joined the workforce on their own and many are taking courses and earning academic certification towards joining the workforce. I call on chareidim to expand their place in the Israeli workplace”.
There was a message of “achdus” and joining the mainstream towards accomplishing this noble goal for the betterment of the nation.
Mr. Peres sent his condolences to the family of Moshe Ami HY”D, who was killed in a motzei Shabbos rocket attack into Ashkelon, as well as wishing a refuah shleima to the injured. The address began with the message of condolence, followed by addressing the escalation in warfare in the south, and Mr. Peres had words of praise for the residents of the areas under attack, for their steadfastness.
“There is no hope or future for Hamas”, reiterating the Nation of Israel will continue to grow and flourish despite Hamas’ efforts to the contrary.
“When it comes down to the test, we are one nation…Gilad Shalit has returned home surrounded with much emotion…The nation earned the praise of the nation for its efforts, and rightfully so. The bereaved families on the other hand sustained another blow, and for them, there are no words of condolence…”
He spoke of the turbulence in the international community, highlighted by the “Arab Spring”, a comment that prompted Arab MKs to heckle the president during his address.
Of course the social justice agenda that dominated the news during the summer months earned mention in the presidential address, with Mr. Peres showering the activists with praise for their determination and commitment. He added that our economy is solid and we must work towards a better future.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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19 Responses
Torah ma tehye oleha
Groise chusid shoite, Peres. The Torah has a lot of commands that you dont give 2 hoots about. Go polish up on them, then start giving mussar
Interesting, coming out of the mouth of a Mechallel Shabbos B’Farhesia.
Keep Shabbos first, then give your divrei torah
Mr. Peres, if you and your cronies keep shabbos, Rav Elyashiv will go to work!
What about the chilonim (or himself for that matter) keeping the half about resting on shabbos as well ?!?!?!
Ok Mr. Peres, So you keep Shabbos and the chareidim will work!
So he thinks he ‘knows’ one ‘mitzva,’ wow! Seems he doesn’t know any of the others like shmiras shabbos, Kashrus, etc. What a rosha!
What does he know about the Torah to pontificate on what the Torah commands us?
he is 100% right
OK, let’s see him and his state rest on Shabbos, then we will talk about working during the week!
Besides, since when did charedim get accepted in the workforce? After all, they don’t have degrees, so what do you expect them to do. Any good ideas Mr President?
sounds like a double-standard to me – he tells the chareidim that it’s a mitzva to work during the six weekdays, but he himself doesn’t keep the mitzva of resting on Shabbos
נו נו, פון א קשיא שטארבט מען נישט
🙂
When Mr. Peres begins honoring the Shabbos, he may think about lecturing us about all the rest….
Shimon, thanks for recognizing the efforts of chareidim to break through the barriers of prejudice against them in order to enter the workforce. We are doing our part.
Thanks also for acknowledging that the Torah commands us to honor the Shabbos. When will you be doing your part?
Surely then he should likewise be calling on the irreligious to start keeping Shabbos! Or is he unable to do so for fear of being the hypocrite?
tell mr peres that the torah also suggests that we keep shabbos, kosher etc.
I wondered at times where tyw stood in its general views but now after i read this and i quote “There was a message of achdus and joining the mainstream towards accomplishing this noble goal for the betterment of the nation” I no longer have any doubts!
In truth im surprised at that paragraph and i wonder if im missing something. Are you guys really so anti torah?
When will there be jobs and opportunities for the Torah Community….in the workworld. Most jobs and careers are closed to Charedim.
first it says to work six days, only afterwards to rest on the seventh