Hebron resident and activist Baruch Marzel was invited to address the Wednesday 15 Adar-I meeting of the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisrael. Marzel presented the realities surrounding the cabinet decision to allocate an egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel for prayer services without a mechitzah, permitting women to wear a tallis, tefilin and read from Sifrei Torah.

Speaking to the media before entering the meeting, Marzel explains “this will be counted among the most important decision made by the council”, detailing it is not just about the egalitarian prayer area but about recognition of the Reform Movement which will deliver a blow to religious Jewry worldwide.

He compares this “l’havdil” to the “Techiya HaMeisim for Yasser Arafat, who was almost eliminated and he was given a revival by bringing him to Oslo. Here too, the Reform are working to enter every aspect of frum Jewish life and now, we are giving them legitimacy and a foothold here in the holy land.

“Gedolei Olam have worked for decades to prevent this”.

Kikar Shabbos News

So you think it is better that the High Court does it?

Marzel

For certain it is preferable that “the goyim” do it and not the tzaddikim of the Torah Council. If we remain firm HKBH will back us and prevent this but we must do our job.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)