t becomes increasingly complicated as one attempts to follow the day-to-day developments surrounding ongoing coalition talks in Israel. The daily Hamodia writes that Shas’ Yom L’Yom newspaper made an error in judgment when it attack Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett for the size of his yarmulke, describe as a half shekel coin.
Hamodia, which is affiliated with Agudas Yisrael, questions “Don’t we have enough enemies outside? Wouldn’t it be more productive to attempt to enter into dialogue with him in an attempt to distance him from Lapid instead of attacking? What is the logic behind the move? Possibly before the elections but now, after we know the reality, what’s the point? It is simply a mistake, possibly a major one.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
The article started off promising but unfortunately missed the mark by a very large margin. What does Hamodia mean when it writes that “Possibly before the elections but now, after we know the reality, what’s the point?”
In essence what Hamodia is saying is that they have no problem attacking ones personal religious commitment, however it is unwise and not prudent to do so when you need that individual to be on your side in coalition talks.Such a sentiment is as repulsive as the original statement in Yom L’Yom.
It is time that we engage in a rational debate of issues and substance and not attack the size of ones Yarmulka even during an election. It is an act of Sinas Chinam and hatred to attack the personal frumkeit of others with whom you disagree. Until Yom L’Yom and Hamodia recognize that this sorry state of affairs will continue to exist.
We should not be so critical. This is a time of extreme stress. THe conscription issue is an “existential” one for the Torah community in Eretz Yisrael, and perhaps for the whole of Yishuv.
Comic relief is important. Fighting over styles of yarmulkes is humorous. They are merely trying to entertain us. Remember that it is a mitzva to be happy in Adar, which can require great effort at times like this.
Do we hear some sechel out there in the world of journalism?
The point is Shas is really bitter, so it has stooped so low to judge people by the size of their Yarmulkas. And this political party is supposed to represent Torah? Who’s Torah? Does Torah belong to a specific hat/streimel or colored/size yarmulka wearer?
Why does such a stupid comment by a Shaas affiliated newspaper about a kippah upset anyone when Yosef is calling the political leadership of oppposing parties “contemptible”. Something is terribly wrong with the whole Shaas leadership when they cannot control themselves and seek to divide the tzibur.
shev143 and other critics, as in all matters the gedolim have what to say about kippa size, and mr. bennet’s kippa doesn’t make the grade. This says all we need to know about him, as if he didn’t say enough about hating yeshivos and causing shmad.
Hamodia are hupercryotes (sorry, no spellchecker)
They won’t mention reb mendel of vitnitz and a host of other rebbes, cause it doesn’t suit them, but now that they need beenet, they will have a go at shas
מואב ומדין עשו שלום להילחם אם ישראל
#2 apukerma: How can you find it humourous to personally attack a persons level of frumkeit? Do the halachos of “loshon horah”, “motzei shem rah” and “malbin pnei chaveroh b’rabim” not apply to Mr. Bennet who is a shomer shabbos Jew? Issurim such as these carry the punishment of “ein lo cheilek lolam haboh” and you find that humourous?
The Netziv writes that attacking peoples personal commitment to Yidshkeit instead of arguing over the relevant issues was the cause for the destruction of the second Bais Hamikdosh.
It is mind bogling that the same people who claim that Torah provides and protects and therefore find no need to make basic hishtadlus for Parnassah and Security have absolutley no problem making every effort to get elected and into a coalition. When it comes to Politics eveything is neccessary even if the methods are full of hate and anger. Why is there no reliance on the “zchus of torah” to ensure that the funding to Yeshivos will remain and that the “gezeros” will disapear? Why is every form of vitriol allowed?