Rosh Yeshivat Beit El HaGaon HaRav Zalman Baruch Melamed Shlita, a leading posek in the dati leumi community addressed the issue of attending the Million Man Atzeres. He speaks of the koach of participating in such a large tefilla event. The rav then speaks of the fact that a number of public officials affiliated with the chareidi community have spoken out publically in an unacceptable fashion against Gedolei Yisrael, referring to remarks made about rabbonim in the Zionist camp.

Regarding the assault against chareidi yeshivos, the rav feels that on the one hand, one wishes to take part in this event for it is not every day one has such an opportunity to be part of such a tefilla. He stresses he is opposed to the actions against the lomdei Torah, including the cutting of budgets. He calls on halting any assault against yeshivos by the government in order to permit talmidim to continue learning.

However regarding one’s participation in the atzeres he Rav Melamed states “What defamation, contempt and hatred is directed towards us. They say our rabbonim are not considered rabbonim. Regarding the leaders there are no reservations. If this was the attitude of those representing them, those who speak so harshly, degrading, including the gematrios of Amalek, if we go there, they can harm us. Mamosh pikuach nefesh.

“You know my life’s dream is achdus of the entire religious camp with the chareidim. But achdus is not achieved without mutual respect. I am waiting for word from representatives of the chareidi tzibur that they are interested in our participation and that they are o in agreement with the contempt for our rabbonim. If such a clarification is issued, then we will participate.”

(WN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)