With the storm surrounding the release of the video tape to Channel 2 News leading to the resignation of Shas party leader Aryeh Deri refusing to die down, there are reports that Gedolei Yisrael Shlita are becoming increasingly involved, including Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.
Last week YWN-ISRAEL reported that the Belzer Rebbe Shlita asked Jerusalem Sephardi Chief Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita to become involved in shuttle diplomacy with rabbonim affiliated with Deri and Eli Yishai in the hope of ending the conflict. Rav Amar has been meeting with rabbonim and others, but it appears the division that has shattered Shas is far from being repaired. Some lament the fact that Deri officials, including sons of Rav Ovadia ZT”L are fueling the flames of dispute instead of looking for a way to repair the damage.
Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Chaim HaGaon HaRav Reuven Elbaz Shlita is reportedly involved in efforts towards shalom between the Deri and Yishai camps too.
The video aired by Channel 2 News was taken by someone from Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef’s ZT”L home and given to the news station. He showed Maran speaking out harshly against Aryeh Deri while showering Eli Yishai with words of praise.
There also appears to be a measure of anger and even blame directed towards Bnei Brak as some Deri supporters feel that the bracha given to Yishai in a meeting that preceding his breaking from Shas during a meeting with Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita contributed to his decision to break from Shas and launch his own party.
Officials in the gadol hador’s home explain that Yishai is always a welcome visitor with the rav, who gave a general bracha and thanked him for the cooperation that has been evident during his tenure in Knesset. Shas however views that meeting and the bracha as giving legitimization for Yishai to break and announce his own party.
Aides to the gadol hador explain Deri and his supporters simply do not understand what the meeting with Yishai was about. Shas officials are now looking at Degel Hatorah to “repair the damage”, which may translate into a meeting between Deri and Rav Shteinman. Degel officials see things a bit differently. They explain that since the rav never approved or supported Yishai’s actions there is no repudiation required.
Aides to Rav Shteinman also feel that in light of warm relationship maintained during the last year with the rosh yeshiva and Deri and his party as well as the relationship maintained during recent years with Yishai, there no reason a solution cannot be found.
Kikar Shabbos quotes officials in Rav Shteinman’s home stating “Degel made a mistake by not properly clarifying the events and had Deri been updated in a timely fashion, much of the misunderstanding might have been avoided. It is added that after the video was released, the explosion followed, Deri resigned and control of the situation was lost.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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11 Responses
The frum parties keep adding more friction and will get nowhere. Is it al money or sinas chinam?
The chutzpa is amazing to me. When your camp is in turmoil because there’s no clear “Maran”, and everyone is trying to hang on to a “Maran” who’s no longer with us, not only you don’t take responsibility for the “truth corner cutting” in your own place, you also blame Rav Steinman for it?!
They expect to give Yishai crazy conditions, including writing a letter of resignation ahead of time (!), and they expect him to except it all for Achdus, Achdus which they themselves do not demonstrate…
What Halacha of loshon hora does this conform with? The heading is enough of an indication that the article should be skipped. In that zechus we should merit the return of the true Jewish government in the form of bais Dovid.
The differences between Yishai and Deri are ideological. Yishai’s views on security matters resemble those of the “HarDal” movement, and are noticiably more hawkish than those of Likud.
Deri’s views on security matters are similar to the Ashkenazi hareidim, and are not incompatible with the Israeli left. Yishai is only a potential coalition partner with Likud, whereas the rest of the hareidim could comfortably support the security policies of Labor, meaning that Deri can more easily cut a deal (for patronage, draft exemption, welfare state benefits) than could Yishai, since Deri can in effect “auction” his support whereas Yishai has but a single “buyer”.
It’s unfair to say they are arguing over personal pride, when the real issues are serious ideological issues.
In frum circles, a movement can not survive if it is headed by one individual and there is no succession plan.
Exhibit A, Modern Orthodoxy and R’ Solovetchik.
Exhibit B, Chabad.
Exhibit C, Shas
The Ashkenazi Haredi camp needs to mend their own fences, hello?? Is this some alternative universe where nothing is making sense? What about the rift between Rav Auerbach and Rav Shteinman and Rav Kanievski? What about the rift between two sides of Rabbis and Bochrim fighting going on at the Ashkenaz Ponevitz Yeshiva?? How can they deem to try to “make the peace” in others camps when their own camp is full of fighting, controversy and broigis? People have to take care of their own lawns before they get involved with others lawns!
The one who “contributed to his decision to break from Shas and launch his own party” was Aryeh Deri himself, by making it clear that Yishai was unwanted in Shas. He should have considered that this could be what would happen.
i dont understand; what do the yosef boyz want? itz their father that spoke!
All Deri and his camp are concerned with is the release of the video. They don’t seem to be bothered by two things that are far more serious than who leaked the video etc.: Deri is a convicted thief and Maran zt”l understood that well. That was why he described him as wicked.
There are many examples of Religious groups, Yeshivos, political parties that fall apart when the LEADER/rabbi’s demise.
You got to hand it to chabad. they’re enduring 20+ years w/o a rebbe.