A letter from Maran HaRav Shach ZATZAL was revealed in recent days, a letter in which Maran addressed the issue of Nachal Chareidi. The rav states “I am not becoming involved in this”.

The letter was sent to Rav Binyomin Mendelson ZT”L, the rav of Komamiyus. Rav Shach explains he decided not to become involved in the Nachal Chareidi matter, a matter which was at the heart of the chareidi storm that same year. The letter in question has been placed up for auction by Kedem in Yerushalayim.

The letter addresses the plan to move chareidi soldiers from Komamiyus to Kfar HaNoar Chazon Yechezkel nearby. Rav Shach states “I did not okay this and did not say anything regarding this. Rabbi Lorenz told me…” Rav Shach suggests that Rabbi Mendelson appoint two rabbonim to address the mater.

The story begins in the 1960s with the founding of the Chareidi Nachal by Poalei Agudas Yisrael headed by MK Shlomo Lorenz for young chareidi men heading to the workforce. They first resided in Moshe Ami-Ohz in the south in 1961, a Vishnitz kehilla. Due to public pressure the Imrei Chaim ZT”L decided they may no longer reside in the community and they were relocated to Komamiyus.

This too was met with objection since the community was entirely chareidi. The Eida Chareidis sent a letter in Teves תשכ”א (1962) to Rabbi Mendelson questioning his decision to permit them to reside in Komamiyus.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Kedem Auction House)