While YWN-ISRAEL would prefer not writing about the widening split in the litvish Torah community, it is reality, albeit a most unpleasant and worrisome one.
In line with the reported decision of HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, many avreichim in kollelim are indeed being compelled to sign a document requesting mechila and pledging future allegiance to gedolei yisrael in Bnei Brak.
It has been reported that Rav Avraham Rubinstein’s Kollel Nachlas Moshe is compelling avreichim to sign, as is the kollel of HaGaon HaRav Sholom Ber Sorotzkin and others.
According to Kol Berama Radio reports as many as “hundreds” of avreichim may have already been ousted from their beis medrash.
Chareidi radio stations are chock full of interviews, presenting spokespersons from both sides, Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim. The situation is not a heartwarming one.
YWN-ISRAEL will not even begin to attempt to comprehend or explain the machlokes L’Shem Shomayim between gedolei yisrael, nor will we quote the many unacceptable statements being aired in many a forum from both sides. The escalating machlokes is evident in many areas, including the chareidi print media.
What is clear is that on the grassroots level, talmidim of Rav Shteinman and Rav Kanievsky Shlita along with talmidim of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita are being compelled to select sides. A division is being placed in the machane at this critical time when enemies of Torah Jewry are working tenaciously to stamp out limud Torah in Eretz HaKodesh.
While many or most avreichim may be signing there are many who are refusing, adhering to the instructions of their rav, HaGaon Rav Auerbach. A growing number of lomdei Torah are rapidly finding themselves outside the beis medrash and the division is becoming increasingly evident. The Torah HaKadosha, once the uniting force is now being used to divide, all “L’Shem Shomayim”.
On the front page of the Yerushalmi faction-affiliated HaPeles is a clear message from Rav Auerbach. “Don’t sign!” The notice adds that a sum of money has already been contributed to serve as a base for a fund to assist avreichim who are ousted, those who have been ousted from the beis medrash roster and now find themselves without a source of parnasa. Such avreichim are instructed to phone for assistance. The notice is signed by “HaRav Chaim Katz in the name of the Vaad Roshei Yeshivos”.
YWN-ISRAEL has spoken with rabbonim and individuals on both sides and some seem to posit that gedolei yisrael shlita are being “manipulated by the powerbrokers that have access to them”. Once again, YWN-ISRAEL is not going there. Others posit that even if this is the case, gedolim shlita must be responsible and their words cannot be discarded by attributing it to askanim and powerbrokers.
At this stage it is difficult to predict where this will end. What is clear however is that many bnei torah are confused, concerned and worried as they realize their home, the beis medrash, may now be off limits to them because they remain committed to the instructions of their mora d’asra.
Some rabbonim posit that what is really worrisome is that the division will weaken the chareidi tzibur and this will become apparent in the real battle, the battle to induct bnei torah into the IDF and to compel mosdos to accept secular subjects in the curriculum.
It is equally clear that the Government of Israel today is continuing efforts to strike out against chareidi Yiddishkheit, and the division in the camp will provide additional ammunition to those who have placed mosdos torah in their sights.
And on a final note, HaGaon Rav Auerbach is quoted in Thursday’s (27 Cheshvan) HaPeles once again instructing bnei torah not to cooperate with IDF induction officials in any way whatsoever – not to report to induction centers and not to fill out any forms. HaGaon HaRav Shteinman Shlita feels one should report and fill out the basic form requesting identification information and a signature.
In directly related matters, Education Minister Shai Piron has already taken advantage of the machlokes, announcing the ministry will cut funding to any institution that discriminates due to one’s political affiliation. In essence, from a political perspective one can easily argue that Piron is correct since the machlokes surrounds those who voted Bnei Torah instead of Degel.
Whatever the case, the minister’s decision will lead to cutting the little funding that remains.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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19 Responses
In a democracy, compelling people to sign such a document should be illegal.
Thier will only be unity when mashiyach comes
I am convinced .
Writing “machlokes l’shem shomayim between gedolei yisrael” is like saying “nisht oif Shabbos g’ret” before saying something inappropriate on Shabbos. In both cases, it’s wrong.
This is madness. Madness begets madness.
This situation is unfortunately very distressing.
I understand YWN-Israel’s reluctance to write about the split in the litvish Torah community. However, I think it’s important to write about it and clarify the facts for those of us in chutz la’aretz, who may be hearing rumors and accusations that are difficult to believe.
I totally agree. It’s just that I am nebach a very sick man. I need to sell more insurance.
To Yunsen: It is not a public institution. No one is going to jail for not signing. It’s as simple as if you don’t like our rules – go find somewhere else to guy.
It’s a similar situation with the Lakewood schools… Pritzim from the surrounding areas move to Lakewood for the cheap housing. They dress like & act (to be nice) non-Jews and wonder why they can’t get their kids in to school. They say “why does it make a difference how I dress or act..” and have issues with the schools who have rules in place.
Again… it’s pretty simple. If you don’t like the rules – get out. Go back where you came from. We don’t need these people destroying what R’ Aharon Z’TZL envisioned for Lakewood.
I learn in EY. I also (very unchariedily) work. I have not yet detected any “enemies of Torah Jewry” trying to stamp out my learning. And I have not been chased out of my bais medrash. Then again, I live in the relatively civilized Jerusalem.
I never comment on any article but this article I completely biased although in a very clever manner.
That’s a shame and I was compelled to register and comment
On a personal level I believe this is a tragedy which will affect us not today but will affect future generations of kids that will grow up with no respect for גדולים, parents and teachers as they see is behave today
My god have mercy on us and bring משיח very soon
Moderators Response:…..talking of name calling, should we start publishing all the names you have directed towards our staff in the past 5 years (both in comment, and in vile, ugly emails)?
When the Litvishe were fighting against the Lubavitcher Rebbeh, the Rebbeh predicted that one day they will fight fiercely with each other.
If this is the worst what we have to go through to make up for the past, then it’s not so bad.
twisted, “relatively civilized Jerusalem”. Wow your pretty optimistic!!!
@lostinlakwood
Hey buddy- YOU’RE IN AMERICA! R Aahron didnt and still doesnt own Lakewood!Anyone can move there if they want.
No one will bother you in the North or south pole. Go there if you don’t want stam yiddim or Nj’s invading “your” city.
To #13 – simchashachaim:
Do you not know how to read? My problem is these people coming to Lakewood and trying to conform Lakewood to THEMSELVES instead them of trying to conform to Lakewood.
…and yes R’ Aharon is not physically around anymore, but He still is “alive” in Lakewood and the city STILL revolves around HIS yeshiva and HIS town. Like I stated before… if you don’t like it feel free to move out.
I’m one of the people that moved to Lakewood from “out of town”… I understood and still understand that I don’t own this town. If a school doesn’t want to take my kids for whatever reason I would follow the schools rules. I wouldn’t start bashing the school. Their school – their rules.
Yira #11: The Lubavitchers are fighting fiercely amongst themselves and have been doing so for many years already.
simchashachaim #13: And the Lakewood yeshivas are free to not accept those families children even if they have no other Jewish school to go to. If you don’t like that feel free to move to the North Pole.
lubavitch has gone more corporate and busy now its not as agitated as it once used to be…
all groups infight at times with each other shas the sefardim the chaseedish.. now the litvish.. what we ask for is where and whom is the instrument of change…
today in Israel, talk is divided into the following levels of chashivus:
Lowest to Highest:
5. loshon hara{lowest form of speech)
4. nevel peh
3. devrei chol
2. devrei Torah
1. Politica
sad day for the beis medresh
in addition, as I was in the beis medresh learning a deep sugyah with my chavrusha, some guy comes over and interupts us that we should sign this paper affirming that we will not talk politics in the beis medresh.
I told him if he will sign my paper that he affirms that he will refrain from eating treif between 2:00 to 4:00PM, so I will sign his paper, in the mean time don’t break up my learning with your bitul Torah.
(true story TG he walked away without argument)