PBA: You have become affected by the lack of confidence in your identity that so many Orthodox Jews share. There is no reason for someone on either side of halachic discussion of the Dati Leumi vs. Chareidi positions regarding Eretz Yisrael to boycott a gathering celebrating Talmud Torah. The siyum haShas has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with Zionism or any other halachic machlokes. Going to it when someone with opposing views is attending or speaking does not lend anyone credibilty; rather, it shows strength of character that one is able to rise above the machlokes which is irrelevant to the Siyum haShas and celebrate limud HaTorah together. It shows that one has confidence in his commitment to Torah in the way he approaches it, and is able to find the common ground with others. If this were a conference about religious Zionism, things would be different. But it’s the siyum haShas, and to feel your attendance lends credibility to anything but limud haTorah shows an unfortunately extreme lack of self-esteem and confidence in your relationship with Hashem.
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