Last week Bayit Yehudi party leader Naftali Bennett came under fire for meeting with representatives of the Conservative and Reform Movements and visiting their schools in his capacity as Minister of Education and Minister of Diaspora Affairs. Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita was among those who spoke out against Bennett, along with Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Shlita and Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Shlita.
On Wednesday morning, 4 Teves Bennett spoke to Kol Chai Radio about Rabbi Lau’s statements pertaining to his actions. Bennett stated he did not start the quarrel with Rav Lau but it was Rav Lau who spoke out against him. Bennett apologized for the dispute with the rav on the air, but pointed out his is the Minister of Diaspora Affairs and this compels him to act as he did.
The interviewer tried explaining the threats associated with the Conservative and Reform Movements but to no avail. Bennett added that it is better to have a city in the United States with a school like this rather than no Jewish school, for the Conservative or Reform schools will maintain the children’s connection to the Jewish People despite the fact some do not agree with their ways.
Bennett added “Unlike the chareidi Members of Knesset, I do not consult with rabbonim regarding to political and diplomatic activities. There is a difference. The movement I lead, and I was elected to my position by the public, does not consult on policy issues. I do not consult with rabbis on every matter. We see it a bit differently”.
He concluded “I do not plan to consult with rabbonim and the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah in my capacity as Minister of Education, Minister of Diaspora Affairs or any post I will hold in the future”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Bennet’s words in the final paragraph of the article are the key to understanding his attitude towards Torah:
““I do not plan to consult with rabbonim and the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah in my capacity as Minister of Education, Minister of Diaspora Affairs or any post I will hold in the future”.” These words encapsulate one of the major points of diversion of the Mizrachi/Mafdal type of Judaism from mainstream Torah hashkafa. The rabbonim are to be consulted regarding sheilos on chickens, when to say kaddish, and other such ritual questions. Matters of state, politics, “Klal Yisrael” questions? Those are in the purview of the learned politicians, not rabbonim (CV”SH).
He “IS” them! The kippa is just a dress item like his tie! His hashkafos are theirs!
#1. What Bennett actually said was, I ask Halachic questions of Rabbi’s. I do not ask Rabbi’s policy questions. While I’m paraphrasing, the first part on him consulting Rabbi’s on Halachic issues was left out of the story above, but was reported in a previous story.
As for the issue itself, Bennett was not giving them credibility religious wise. It’s foolish not to engage them in support of Israel itself. They, well most of them, are Jews and Israel needs all the support it can get. Engaging them is on par with engaging non-Jewish groups in support of Israel.
While I have a great deal of respect for Rabbi Lau, who has done some very good things, on this issue, in the context it occurred, he was out of line.
At least Bennett and many of the Mizrachi people are honest about it. I am sure Bennett could find some officially orthodox Rabbi out there who will give him a heter. Today you can find a rabbi for everything. That still would not help to make his actions according to Da’as Torah.
Close to 70 years ago when the Aguda had their representatives sign the deceleration of independence it was not done in consultation with the Chazon Ish. It was against his wishes. It was indeed against Da’as Torah.
Everything that comes after this in history of that state and the ever growing involvement of religious Jews in that state is fundamentally the issue of Klal Yisroel not being led by Da’as Torah.