HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron was among the prominent rabbonim who addressed the Yahadut Hatorah election asifa in Ohr Yehuda on Sunday night, the eve of 18 Teves 5773.

Rav Cohen focused on the disagreement between the Agudas Yisrael and Degel Hatorah factions regarding the rotation agreement, stating this dispute mustn’t be hidden and the tzibur must realize it exists. He feels that each side must work to advance its agenda, but ultimately, an agreement must be reached without machlokes.

“It’s no secret that in recent weeks there has been disagreement between Agudas Yisrael and Degel Hatorah regarding the rotation” the rav explained, adding “We all know this is the case and there is no point in trying to hide it. Today, there are no secrets and we know what is going on.”

The rav warned that trying to hide this reality will have a negative impact and harm the ongoing election campaign. “Some will say Agudas Yisrael took from us so why bother voting while others will say if there are only 4 representatives, why vote?” The rav warns against apathy among the voting tzibur.

“Everyone must know and understand that now, ahead of the elections, addressing this is tantamount to מחשבת פיגול and what must occupy us now are efforts to bring as many chareidi representatives as possible, whether it is a representative of Agudas Yisrael, Degel Hatorah, a Vishnitz Chossid, a Belzer Chossid, or any other that I don’t know, the main thing is that we vote for representatives of Yahadut Hatorah.

“We are in a state of a spiritual and physical war and it’s not a time for internal conflict. We must place everything aside towards enlisting support for Yahadut Hatorah.”

During his address to the forum, Yahadut Hatorah MK Rav Moshe Gafne spoke of the ongoing tensions between the Yahadut Hatorah factions today.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)