In an interview conducted with HaMevaser for Pesach with HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita, the gadol hador was asked to comment on the situation with Iran, and he said we should not irritate those seeking to destroy us.
The rav pointed out that prior to the Holocaust, the Zionist tried to do the same with Hitler YS”VZ, and that resulted in sanctions against Germany. The chareidim opposed the approach of the Zionists, fearing it may increase the dangers to the Jews and the result of the actions of the Zionists would be unfavorable.
The rav feels we must not act towards our enemies in a way that is perceived as confrontational, for this will feed the fire of hate towards us.
Shortly before yomtov, Rav Shteinman stated the threat of compulsory draft for the yeshiva velt is a great threat than Iran, as was reported by YWN-ISRAEL.
Excerpts from the pre-yomtov interview are carried on the Srugim website ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, questioning how the chareidi tzibur can dare to equate the Holocaust with the Zionist, as if the latter is responsible in any way.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
10 Responses
It is so refreshing and comforting to hear the clear Daas Torah from this Godol shlita.
“questioning how the chareidi tzibur can dare to equate the Holocaust with the Zionist, as if the latter is responsible in any way.”
Remember the Kastner trial. Read “Perfidy” (Ben Hecht)and “Min Hameitzar” (Reb Michoel Ber Weissmandel ZTZ”L).
This article disproves Satmar accusations that Rav Shteinman shlit”a is pro-zionist.
What is refreshing or comforting? Unless you were at the interview, all you are reading is “excerpts”, which are the words the author of the article wants you to read, and may or may not accurately convey the meaning of the Ravs words.
Is there a single “Charedi” that lays blame for the holocaust at the feet of “Zionists” that there is a need to respond to such a canard?
From reading the excerpt cited here, I infer that the Rav is simply saying that throwing rocks at a wild animal is bad policy because it further angers it. of course, I wasn’t at interview and have no idea what the Rav really said.
Of course Rav Shteinman shlit”a is 100% correct ane of course the Zionists ym’s have a big hand in the murdering of Jews during the holocaust. Zionist Rudolf Kastner was Nazi Adolf Eichmann ym’s’ right-hand man in liquidating Hungarian Jewry. The Zionists also impeded the trucks-for-lives negotiations that could have saved countless Jews during the holocaust. Among so many more Zionist holocaust atrocities.
1. Fear of the zionists was the primary reason that the British, with full knowledge of the holocaust – something discovered recently when the Engima intercepts were declassified, tried to keep Jews from escaping the Nazis. Once the zionists switched from building up Eretz Yisrael to a policy of political control and subordinating the Arabs, war become inevitable – and it became inevitable that what had been intended as an explusion of Jews from Germany would become widespread European genocide.
2. The last time the Iranians showed any interest in conquering Eretz Yisrael was when Cyrus got rid of the annoying Babylonians for us. If we settled with the Palestinians, the Iranians would not be a threat. They are more interested in reestablishing Iranian dominance in the Islamic world, which involves forcing the Americans out of the middle east. We are a mere side show.
3. Whether the yishuv survives will depend on Torah and Mitsvos, as it always has. Given the left-wing trend in Israeli social policy, one might suggest the community is in mortal danger – and it has nothing to do with the Iranians. Diverting thousands of Jews from Torah and Mitsvos is a major threat to Eretz Yisrael.
#5. Using your “logic”, one can argue that (American)Reform and Conservative Jewry were responsible for the holocaust.
Nobody is arguing that these people are tzadikim, but quite frankly, the Nazis and their willing collaborators were responsible for the destruction of European Jewry, not “Zionists”.
Rav Shteinman is not one to hurl allegations or sensationlism. Probably all he said was not to stir up the Iranians unnessesarily, andd perhaps that it may be more prudent to swallow our national pride and not to respond to the Iranians rhetoric.
Remember, nobody knows what the Rav shlita said, all we have some “excerpts” and a sensationalist headline.
Although I am the first one to speak out against the many really horrible and anti-Torah acts of the Israeli government, all you anti-Israel people out there should give a little thought as to what it would be like living as a Jew in chutz la’aretz, in a, chalila, post-Israel world.
And NO, it would NOT be like it was BEFORE there was a state. You would, AT THE VERY LEAST (even here in the ‘goldena medina’) be looked at with scorn, spat on, and beaten in the streets. Think I’m exaggerating? Look at what’s happening in Europe already!
Those of you that are old enough should remember what it was like after the Six Day War in ’67. Every Yid in the world stood a little taller, every goy, maybe begrudgingly, looked at Jews with more respect.
If chalila, Israel LOST a war, the exact opposite would be the case. THINK.