There are currently three candidates seeking to become Jerusalem’s next mayor; the incumbent Nir Barkat, who enjoys widespread support including the dati leumi community; Moshe Leon, the candidate of Likud/Beitenu and backed by chareidi parties; and Chaim Epstein, the Bnei Torah candidate backed by HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita and his Yerushalmi faction of Degel Hatorah.

There are many in the chareidi community who frown on Epstein’s inclusion in the race, for they feel he will take votes from Leon, not Barkat, and the result will be the incumbent will succeed in his bid for a second term in office. Most polls show a close race, one that will be determined by a few thousand votes, making every vote count.

Degel Hatorah leaders held a kenos on Sunday night the eve of 26 Tishrei 5774 in the home of Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Mizrachi. The kenos was attended by roshei yeshiva, rabbonim and others wishing to strengthen Degel’s place in the mayoral race, a move deemed necessary in light of Epstein’s inclusion in the race. The mashgiach of Yeshivas Orchos Hatorah addressed the event, expressing harsh words regarding the chareidi candidate, who he said is acting in direct opposition to the wish of HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.

Rabbi Mishkovsky added that HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita told him the candidacy of the chareidi candidate is against the wishes of Rav Shteinman. The rav added that he was in Brisk and at the time there was a chareidi and non-chareidi candidate, yet Rav Yitzchok Ze’ev Soloveitchik ZT”L favored the non-chareidi one, for he knew that candidate was more disciplined and would adhere to the words of Gedolei Torah. Rabbi Mishkovsky added that his candidacy in the race will result in the reelection of Nir Barkat, who will bring about the destruction of kedushas Yerushalayim.

Rav Mishkovsky concluded that both Rav Shteinman and Rav Kanievsky have given their bracha for the candidacy of Leon and with this the matter is closed and the tzibur knows how to vote.

Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Leibowitz joined in, explaining his late father HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Moshe ZT”L, the founder of Yeshivas Kaminetz Yerushalayim after the Holocaust instructed him to distance himself from political gatherings such as this one. However in this case, Rav Chaim instructed him personally to attend, explaining this is not the type of political kenos his father intended in his will, but this is “kovod hatorah” of Maran Rav Shteinman and therefore he must attend. A number of other prominent roshei yeshiva addressed the forum as well.

On the other side, the Yerushalmi faction of the litvish community appears determined to continue with the candidacy of Epstein despite the outspoken opposition. Officials explain a chareidi candidate must be among those seeking the mayoral slot, adding they are acting at the behest of HaGaon Rav Auerbach.

“The goal is not always to win for there are two candidates, both not suited for the job. One is not religious and the other has harmed bnei yeshivos with his drafting of the chareidi draft law. The third candidate is a ben torah” Yerushalmi faction officials add.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)