During the Keynote Session at the annual Agudah Convention on Motzei Shabbos, the Rosh Agudas Yisroel, the Novominsker Rebbe spoke out about the Machlokes in Eretz Yisroel regarding the issue of “Giyus”.
The Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Perlow, spoke in a pained voice, as he made a public Ma’cha against those using the issue to create Pirud, a split, among the Chareidi community in America.
His words were followed by a powerful Drasha by HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi from Eretz Yisroel, who slammed those who question the decisions that were made by Maran Rav Shteinman ZATZAL and YB”LCT the Sa’ar HaTorah, Hagaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and Hagaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein.
The Rebbe issued a disclaimer that he is not speaking on behalf of Agudas Yisroel, but only stating his own opinion, as well as in the name of Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kaminetzky, the Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia and member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah.
About five minutes into his speech, the Rebbe said he wished to respond to an earlier remark from the Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva, that in Eretz Yisroel there are “Chilukei Deos” (differences of opinion) that all need to be validated, and that “nobody can feel that he is being pursued by the other party.”
But the Rebbe said that “as an individual I would say that that is not the nekudah.”
“There’s one basic nekudah (point) here, and its not a question of the chok hagiyus (IDF draft law). It’s a question of a hanhagah (approach) that the overwhelming majority of the Olam haTorah has accepted from the days of Rav Aharon Leib [Shteinman] ZATZAL, to Rav Gershon [Edelstein] and the Sar HaTorah of our day, Rav Chaim Kanievsky – es chapt ah tzitter (one shudders) when one speaks about him.
“And yet there is a miyuta demiyuta (tiny minority) of people obstinately refusing to accept that hanagah, and that’s where all the problems come from, and that’s the real issue.”
“No one has a right to bring this Machlokes to America”, said the Rebbe.
The Rebbe added that he came to the convention intending to “not speak a milah achas (one word) about what is happening in Eretz Yisroel,” but he felt it was necessary to make this point clear.
In his riveting remarks, Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi said: “A generation needs a leader and Boruch Hashem, our generation is blessed. It’s a zechus to live a world in which he reigns”, (referring to Hagaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky).
Watch the Rebbe’s remarks in the video below.
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19 Responses
why machloket in israel in relevant to the US is beyond me. nothing is accomplished except expanding the machloket further in the US
This has been one big mess for years and it seems like it will never go away. We want our own country and all the benefits that come with that but we aren’t willing to defend it. Someone else’s children, someone “less religious” should be on the front lines. I don’t buy the we are learning defense.
Elu V’elu Divrei Elokim Chayim
Rav Malkiel has a right to his own opinion (especially when there are other Gedoli Torah who also agree)
Lets leave the machlokes to be dealt with by the gedolim, but as as the Hamon Am should continue to show the upmost Kavod to ALL the gedolim
Video doesn’t work
The Novominsker Rebbe, what a gadol. What a leader. Such a courageous address, so badly needed.
I appreciate the zechus I had of my father taking me to meet the Novominsker in his home after my Bar Mitzvah now more than ever.
Even if this is a chilukei deyos, there is NO reason people outside e’y need know about it, let along get involved. It is not relevant to 99% of us. our sons will never get a letter to appear before an IDF draft board, never have to request a “pettur”. for the tiny minority of those outside e’y who they, or there kids are israeli citizens and it IS nogeai, ask a shayla. that this is a tumult in america (or anywhere outside e’y in fact) is due to the proliferation of sites such as ywn, blogs and other media who feel it is important that everyone must know every minor detail of every disagreement, and then this is where we end up. an agudah convention where the nasi of the agudah and a senior rosh yeshiva in e’y have to say, what should be patently obvious to any torah jew. kavod hatorah doesnt take a back seat to anything, ever, no matter what your position on any matter of halacha, hashkafa or politics.
I think the translation of “Hanhaga” in the speech should be “leadership”, not “approach”. The Noviminsker, Shlita, is disagreeing with those who did not accept the leadership of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman ZT”L, which is when the split took place.
an Israeli Yid
One thing the rebbi didnt mention and I believe is the reason why the machlokes got out of hand. There has been plenty of disagreement in klal yisroel over the last hundred of years, but the one thing that is different is the blocking streets. Inconvinicing others to make a point was never done
Mr. Flatbush: so you disagree with the gedolei harabbonim’s opinion? You think that the yeshiva students should join the army and not learn. Why don’t you just hop on a plane (of course not to close to Shabbos) and meet with Reb Chaim Kanievsky and the other rabbonim. Try to convince them that you are right and not they — and then you’ll get all the chareidim you want into the IDF. Until then, lay off the tzibbur that follows the da’as Torah of its leaders.
I am proud to have learned in the Novominsker Yeshiva. The Rebbe shlita stood up for what he felt needed to be said. He clearly knows not all want to hear what he has to say. This is the courage needed of true gedolim, such courage is not found easily. But by the Rebbe shlita, I don’t think it’s due to courage that he can say this, I believe it is because he is entirely l’shem shomayaim, when one is l’shem shomayim, they say what they feel needs to be said, without fear of what the next one will say.
I’d love to accept Rav Chaim and Rav Gershon’s daas Torah but I don’t know what their position is in the present case. The government is about to pass a new draft law by Dec 2. What do they hold? Should we oppose the passage of the law?
We see the enemies of over 6 million jews are emboldened as they send thousands daily to try to storm israels gaza border and now in congress there are 5 openly anti israel congess women . Now as politicians see the large satmar camps rally against israel. Now more than ever we need visible hishtadlus on behalf of achenu! When some attack frum soldiers we must defend those putting their lives on the line! Its called hakaras hatov and derech erets! Even avraham avinu and yakov avinu fought as did yehoshua and gideon and david! Ain somchin al hanais! The draft issue of yeshivas or girls is nother issue. Is satmar shita encroaching!? Will there be now just 1 shita which calls all others sheigits and goyim!? I know in many years past the early secular zionists souggt to change the religous but for decades things and demographics changed! Are we to have conspiracy theories of “zionist governments” as racists have of us!? For decades the govt did not draft but actually just paid yeshivas and kollelim! Did we then show zevulun hakaras hatov???
Ben K: you too wish to close the yeshivas and send the talmidim to the IDF? Ranting on YWN won’t cut it. Meet with the gedolei harabbonim in EY, try to convince them you are right. Then, the yeshiva students will sign up for the army. Hint: I think they know the sources and citations that you have mentioned in your comment. Discuss it with them; try to persuade them that your interpretation is better, more truthful, and then you’ll get the results you are seeking. Until then, the chareidi tzibur is following the da’as Torah of the gedolei haTorah.
Oh, and for the umpteenth time: 80% of the soldiers are NOT risking their lives, etc. They are mostly “jobniks.” While many do important tasks (“jobs”) — they are not all sneaking into Shechem every night. Only a small number of soldiers qualify for that. I’m not justifying attacking soldiers in shul, but let’s not get carried away with hyperbole.
american yerushalmi I wrote ” The draft issue of yeshivas or girls is nother issue. ” I also agree we need to deal with the draft of yeshiva people and girls.
But Al Taamod Al Dam Rayacha on our part in Galus to stand by our endangered brethren seems obvious! And Hakaras Hatov to all SOldiers as they are all Open TArgets and can be called by their commanders to Defend YOU and Your family and 6 million Jews as part of the IDF! Seems obvious, Derech Erets Kadma LTorah.
Hersh: What do they hold? Should we oppose the passage of the law?
Mazel tov I guess you became a MK, that you need to know what to do.
BenK: I’m glad that we seem to be in agreement regarding the bnei yeshiva learning. And that girls ought to be exempted from army service (which they are).
So, what’s not good? What would you want me and the rest of the frum tzibbur here in EY to do? BTW, and I’m not trying to annoy you, but, I’ve never heard in the 4 decades that I’m living here, any adam gadol pasken that we have a “chiyuv” of “hakoras hatov” specifically toward the IDF. On a personal level, most people I know do feel “hakoras hatov,” as do I, in particular as 2 of my sons do regular reserve duty performing rather dangerous jobs.
You stress the posuk “Lo Sa’amod Al Dam Rei’echa” — how are we standing by while our brothers’ blood is being shed? What more do you think we should do — that we aren’t presently doing?
“……..but, I’ve never heard in the 4 decades that I’m living here, any adam gadol pasken that we have a “chiyuv” of “hakoras hatov” specifically toward the IDF…..”
Maybe you haven’t , but I did, many times.
I mean rabbonim, talmidei chachamim , and I’m not not in Shomayim to know whether they’re considered gedolim or not. But I question whether any of those you reference are indeed an “Adam Gadol.” even though in some circles they may considered just that. Lack of hakoras hatov is despicable in the eyes of Hashem.
I find it I impossible to believe such a thing. It’s very disturbing to hear this, and I don’t believe it, and if true, I wouldn’t want to learn even an ohs from him.
However, you might consider Rav Gustman Ztz”l an Adad Gadol, and you might have even met him.
He considered the fallen IDF as holy .
I knew R’ Gustman personally from Brooklyn when I was a bochur.. He had the highest respect for the IDF and spoke highly of them when the subject came up.
…….Do you know how much our grandparents who were murdered in the Holocaust would have given to see IDF soldiers pull them out of the ashes and save them with the help of Hashem ? …
Do you know that Rav Gustman who was walking to shul in Yerushalayim on a certain Shabbos, was greeted by a frum IDF soldier… The soldier apologized to the rav for carrying his Uzi on Shabbat, saying he needed to do it.
R’ Gustman said, ” What….. You apologise? Halevei, I had a rifle on Shabbos in my home town in 1941..”
Wow..
@apashutayid: “. . . is not relevant to 99% of us. our sons will never get a letter to appear before an IDF draft board, never have to request a “pettur”. for the tiny minority of those outside e’y who they, or there kids are israeli citizens and it IS nogeai, ask a shayla. . . ”
Do you have a son or a daughter learning / living there? Any child born there will be served a letter to appear before an IDF board. And even if you don’t have children or grandchildren there, you certainly have friends – fellow mispalilim, neighbors, relatives – who do or are themselves in this position. Should you not care for / worry about them? Isn’t that also pirud l’vavos?