The Satmar Rebbe Shlita is scheduled to arrive in Eretz Yisrael next week and he is planning to dedicate a handsum some to the battle to prevent the induction of chareidim into the IDF.
The Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg Shlita is due to arrive in Eretz Yisrael for the bris of a grandson and will continue his minhag of the “Shekel Tahor” program, which is simply Satmar matches each shekel a yeshiva does not take from the state. In past years Satmar has spent millions on this program for it feels yeshivos mustn’t take any funds from the Zionist state.
Kikar Shabbos News reports that this time however, the rebbe is not just going to continue the program but he is planning to invest major funds in the battle against serving in the military, stating “we must mobilize on behalf of these people”.
The rebbe is expected to arrive on Monday evening 22 Shevat and he will head directly to Yerushalayim. The bris is expected to be held on Tuesday morning and thousands of chassidim from all over Israel are expected to attend. The rebbe is expected to leave on Tuesday night for London for what is billed “a historic visit”, his first to that city since becoming rebbe.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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12 Responses
Satmar is in a very strong position on this issue since they opposed zionist, reject government funding and try to be neutral in the Arab-Israeli War. A very strong argument could be made that anti-zionists should be seen as conscientious objectors, which is how most of the world will perceive them if the Israelis try to conscript of inprison them.
Pro-zionist hareidim (e.g. the ones that send representatives to the Kenesset) are in a weaker position since they accept, and arguably depend on, being funded by the Israeli government, and have a history of supporting the war effort against the Arabs, and most people perceive someone who supports a war but opposes serving in the military to be a hypocrite.
He’s zicheh not flying Elal (although they aren’t government owned).
Are only Yeshivos not allowed to take from the government or individuals as well?
Sum get it right and some get it wrong
he is a tzadik, I hope he can compel all religious Jews to stop serving in the army of Hellenists, Communists and other assorted atheists. While he is at it, he should also say that no one can call himself a “chareidi” and serve in the tumah called the Knesset.
Will the Rebbe himself actually go to the demonstrations and sit on the ground blocking traffic?
Satmar have been the donors to all anti- IDF protestors, and pays a salary to all & any ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVISTS. Including fight for graves, Shabbos, autopsies, anti- police, anti- army, anti- voting. They supply the uniform, holocaust imagery etc.
Askanim donor, funds are collected, signs made as in the recent demo against Beis din of Switzeland & cemetery there. There is MINUS ZERO concern about reaction or ramifications to World-wide Jewry.
Perhaps give the money to his chasidim in willy to get off food stamps, sect 8 housing, paperless weddings etc………………..that would be a Kidush hashem.
Zionflag: Did. You actually read what you wrote?
“Satmar have been the donors to all anti- IDF protestors, and pays a salary to all & any ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVISTS. Including fight for graves, Shabbos, autopsies….
Does protesting chillul shabbos and fighting for kovod hames make you an Anti- Israel activist?
Funny, I was under the impression that this are things we should care about.
Notamod
Speaking of demos against graves that have been approved by chief rabbinate & Rav Shterbuch, autopsies that have been rendered muter under certain circumstances, & Shabbos demos when fire/police/rescue/medical enter Meah Shearim.
Yes we should & do care of kavod Shem shamayim. In the PROPER DERECH!
#4, he’s a tzadik? Really? He can’t even get along with his own brother!
And BTW, to the editors, the correct phrase is “handsome sum.” Please, I beg you, hire a proper English writer to edit your stories!
CHAIM36, well said! I believe this will one day bite all of us Jews ( because we are always lumped together) big time. I think it would be more beneficial to them if they take a good look at their own issues instead of being so focused on Zionism all the time. And I’m not saying Satmer is bad at all! Jews could take some lessons from Satmer in certain areas. Nevertheless, they should first focus on their lifestyle and not on Zionism all the time, it won’t help them solve their own issues.
However, I am also against Chareidim being forced to serve in the Israeli army due to the rampant immorality.