In today’s politically charged environment, where elections seem to dominate every conversation, and with the election coming up, I find myself increasingly disturbed by the act of voting itself. As a Torah-practicing Jew, I wonder if voting has become a form of avak avodah zara, subtly pulling us away from our trust in Hashem’s sovereignty. Why should I, a mere individual, have the audacity to assume I know how Hashem should conduct the affairs of great nations?
When we step into a voting booth, we are essentially making a decision about the leadership, policies, and future direction of entire societies. But how can I know what the preferable outcome is? As much as I can analyze policies, weigh pros and cons, and consider the consequences, I still lack the perspective of Hashem. It feels presumptuous to impose my limited understanding on matters so vast and complex. Isn’t it Hashem who ultimately guides the fate of nations? Isn’t it He who, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrates the rise and fall of empires?
This is not to say that we should be passive. On the contrary, as Jews, we are called to engage in the world, to uphold justice, and to work towards bettering ourselves and those around us. Yet, the increasing pressure to participate in elections sometimes feels like a distraction from the real work we are meant to do. Shouldn’t our focus be on Torah, mitzvos, and mussar, trusting that Hashem will lead the nations as He sees fit?
In today’s world, where secular systems and ideologies often clash with yiddishkeit, the very act of voting can feel like a participation in a system that doesn’t fully align with Hashem’s will. The candidates we are presented with, no matter how promising or qualified they may seem, often represent values and policies that don’t reflect our deepest beliefs. We are asked to choose the “lesser of two evils,” but even that concept seems problematic. Should we be content with choosing between flawed options?
Moreover, the act of voting implies that we have control over the outcome, that our choices and political decisions will dictate the future. But doesn’t that belief in human control over history flirt with hubris? The Torah teaches us that Hashem is the ultimate ruler, the One who governs all. Voting, with all its good intentions, can sometimes feel like an act of overconfidence in our own ability to shape the world.
Ultimately, I am not suggesting that we withdraw entirely from political life or shun civic responsibility. There is a delicate balance between engaging with the world and recognizing the limits of our power. But as I reflect on the spiritual implications of voting, I believe we must tread carefully. We must ensure that our participation in elections does not replace or diminish our faith in Hashem’s ultimate control.
Sincerely,
M.S.
The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
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29 Responses
There is only ”Ein Od Milvado”. Only Hashem, Only One.
Hishtadlus.
How would a Chosson and Kallah become engaged without meeting each other?
How would you have food for your Shabbos Seuda without prep beforehand.
Hishtadlus.
Vote.
Hashem will decide who wins.
We do our Avoda no matter what happens.
In all our years in Eretz Yisroel never has any Rav advised us to vote.
Now they have.
It must be important for the continuation of Day schools, Kollel programs, Kosher Shechitah. Cholov Yisroel Milk.
Vote.
The rest is in Hashem’s hands.
This article is against Daas Torah and every gadol, in America and Eretz Yisrael, who have spoken about the importance to vote.
We yidden do our hishtadlus based on what we see, and we hope that Hashem guides us to the correct choice.
Even publicly showing support for a candidate who has helped us in the past, is not only conducive to continuous help going forward, but is also a form of hakaras hatov. We just have to be mindful not to go overboard…
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirch and Rav Dovid Cohn, both Gedolei Hador said that every adult should vote in the US elections. The Chazon Ish once told someone to sell his Teffillin order to vote. Do you have a Rov or a Rebbe? Ask him.
If it were a problem, all of the gedolim urging us to vote wouldn’t be doing so.
ummm, Hishtadlus?
What a stupid Litvish question.
Guess rav Moisher and all of our gedolim don’t know what they’re talking about. But you on the other hand do? Hmm think I’ll listen to daas Torah that tell us to vote often
Gedolei Yisroel have consistently encouraged us to promote our interests at the ballot-box. It is highly inappropriate for you to cast any doubt upon that view at this crucial moment before the election. Every vote counts. Hashem will decide what ultimately happens, but we must make our hishtadlus.
I agree that when one votes it should not be with intent to change a possible outcome (who is the next president is well outside our hishtadlus)
I disagree with the idea you shouldn’t vote. If frum Jews are a recognized voting bloc then politicians are willing to take our needs seriously.
We’re told הוי מתפלל בשלומה של מלכות – now what kind of תפילה is it if you live in a democracy and not do the minimum of voting? it’s like begging Hashem for food and not even going to the grocery store…
Maybe Hashem arranged it so that your vote could be important? Paraphrasing Rambam, you should always imagine that the vote is 50.000% v 50.000% and your vote decides the outcome and where the world is heading. So, take it seriously, learn the facts, and apply your sevorot. At minimum, you are assisting bneo Noyach to fulfill the 7th mitzva of establishing system of justice.
We need to do our השתדלות.. Reb Moshe זצ”ל said we have a חיוב to vote as we are a democratic country. So you’re article is completely אפיקורוס
Such a piece of garbage.
This whole article is pure trash
Is writing editorials on Yeshiva World a form of Avak Avodah Zara that we should stay away from?
Why would YWN print such a letter All gadolim past and present say we should vote. That is our השתדלות. The rest is up to Hashem Even if Harris was would G-D forbid win we know לב מלאכים ביד ה׳
If you can impact the leadership of the community in any way it’s your duty to do so.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged everyone to vote.
Re: “ Is Voting A Form Of Avak Avodah Zara That We Should Stay Away From?”
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l didn’t think so. In a 1984 letter he wrote as follows:
On reaching the shores of the United States, Jews found a safe haven. The rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights have allowed us the freedom to practice our religion without interference and to live in this republic in safety.A fundamental principle of Judaism is hakaras hatov—recognizing benefits afforded us and giving expression to our appreciation. Therefore, it is incumbent on each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic system which guards the freedoms we enjoy. The most fundamental responsibility incumbent on each individual is to register and to vote.Therefore, I urge all members of the Jewish community to fulfill their obligations by registering as soon as possible, and by voting. By this, we can express our appreciation and contribute to the continued security of our community.“
The broader hashkafic points raised by the author are well taken, but they need not and should not lead to the suggested conclusion. Hishtadlus is not anti-bitachon.
@unexpected
Well, reading one is at least avak lashon harah… (probably more, though)
Yes, definitely stay away it’s a terrible form of Avodah Zarah.
It is also probably a form of Avodah Zarah to buy milk in the supermarket for the entire week. You should assume Hashem intends for the Man to fall once again. Only when it hasn’t yet fallen at 7 AM, should you run to the grocery and buy a bottle of milk for breakfast.
I don’t know why people are so angered by the OP’s article.
You all have a point, but it is no contradiction to the OP’s article.
Yes the Gedolim said to vote, and obviously a normal religious Jew would heed the call of the Gedolim.
That does not mean that they way people go about it, react to news on the topic, discuss things, get heated up etc etc, can possibly be avak davodah zara.
I really don’t believe for a minute that the Gedolim are busy following the news the way some of us may be doing, biting their nails in worry when it doesn’t seem to be going the way they are hoping, and shouting in joy as if they are at a footbal/netball match when things do.
A religious Jew should vote based on the reasons his/her Rav/Gadol has instructed them to, go cast the relevant vote, go home and carry on with what they are doing, not whether physically or virtually start getting involved and taking part in the rants, raves, protests, arguments etc.
Just my point anyway…
Sadly MAGAism has become a religious belief system. A belief in a false savior who is infallible. The Gedolim of past generations were not dealing with the avodah zarah of Trumpism. The situation in the past is not the same as it is today. In any case unless you live in a swing state your presidential vote is useless. Don’t soil your neshama by joining with groups that are anathema to true Yiddeshkeit. Leading Gedolim have not endorsed a candidate for president for a reason. The avodah zarah that has taken root in our community must come to an end. Very important article.
Rabbosia, lets read between the lines here. The article may not have been well written and obviously everyone would say to vote but I think the letter writers point was we have become too caught up in politics, like we have in everything else. Do we need to be constant talking about it and inundated with political advertisements and events. It is just like our Yom Tov Sudos, it is mitzvah to eat and enjoy yes, do we need to be spending thousands of dollars with meat boards and fancy platters etc. How about vacation, obviously every gadol would say its important to take a vacation every now and then, but right here on Yeshiva world is an advertisement for “yeshiva week” in the bahamas in a totally non-kosher environment. We take things too far!
To crazykanoiy,
You obviously suffer from TDR, Trump Derangement Syndrome. You know not what you are talking about. Your lips flap but nothing coherent is said. Instead of rambling on about politics, a subject you do not understand why don’t you open a Gemoro and learn a blatt? Or open a Chumash to the Parsha we just lained and see the beauty of Hashem’s world. C’mon He made it for you to enjoy as well. Stop groveling. You will feel a lot worse next week when Trump becomes President-Elect! B’Ezras Hashem.
@yeshivaWorld – Posting this opinion piece is anti religious and anti normalcy. But what can we expect from the most anti Jewish “news site”….
Maybe do this the other way around. First explain what the gedorim of avak avodah zorah are, then explain why you believe the histadlus of voting fall into those gedarim and then there is what to talk about. Otherwise this is creating new issurim and new gedorim of avak avodah zora exclusively based on social commentary. Without even the use of boich svoras based on some clear Torah principle to make the point. That is Ziyuf HaTorah.
To address the other pint of the OP. Is the frum world too caught up in politics and believes too much in politicians? For one thing no one who says they are voting for the lesser of the two evils as the OP writes is a common frum sentiment today, can be accused of having too much trust in politicians. And at least when you hock about non-Jewish politics and politicians there will be far less Loshon Hora and other averos spoken than when hocking about most other topics
crazy,
Sadly your sick infatuation with slutty Kamalek and her Godless, woke religion makes you a servant of the lowest form of idol worship, Baal Peor. Very important article for you to read and take to heart.
Voting is like every other endeavor we are tasked with – we do our hishtadlus, make the best choice with the info we have available, and daven that the outcome should be for the best, whether or not it’s what we aimed for. In both the NYC Mayoral election of 2001 and the Presidential election of 2016 I voted for a candidate who lost, and in retrospect I’m happy the results were what they were. I once applied for a job that I didn’t get, and shortly thereafter got a much better job than the one I missed out on. I ran for a subway during rush hour and just missed it, then another nearly empty one arrived within a minute, giving me a nice, comfy commute instead of a standing-room-only packed ride.
We all have many stories of incidents, from the most important to the most trivial, of not getting what we wanted, yet thereby ending up with something better. Instead of davening simply for a lottery win, we should daven for a win IF Hashem knows that’s what’s best for us. Being a ba’al betachon doesn’t contradict making a hishtadlus in the slightest. If you’re really not sure what to do from a hashkafic perspective, ask an eitza – you can’t let yourself be paralyzed into inaction by fear of making any decision.
You have to look at the past so u can go forward, Donald J. Trump was always good for America and special for Eretz Yisroel, so you have to daven to Hashem that he should be the right shaliach.
Feelings and hashkahfah are nice but don’t conflate them with halachik terms.
There’s a reason why roshei yeshivah have no business signing on halachik psakim.
Litvishism has become a joke and chilul hashem.