[PHOTOS FROM THE HAFGONA IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]
The parade of denials and disavowal organized by Sephardi rabbis against the amendment of the draft law continues to stir up the Sephardic Torah world.
HaGaon HaRav Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, Rosh Yeshivat Yakirei Yerushalayim, said during a Shabbos Drasha that he was willing to take part only in an atzeres tefilla and not in a demonstration against the draft law.
Rav Cohen said that HaGaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshivas Lakewood, persuaded him to participate in the event, but he announced that the condition for participation was that it is only an atzeres tefilla without speeches or protest, not a political event that led to the conflict between gedolim. According to Rav Cohen, the moment the atzeres became such, the yeshiva students would not participate in the rally, which could turn into a demonstration.
Rav Cohen is quoted telling Kikar Shabbos News that he does plan to attend the atzeres, citing only because it is the yahrzeit of HaGaon HaRav Tzion Abba Shaul ZT”L, and not to attend a political event which is controversial.
A grandson of the Rosh Yeshiva is quoted by Kikar News explaining there are person pressuring the rav to attend, but if it does turn political, he will pull out.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
it is a great sacrifice for any rosh yeshiva to come out against what chareidy politicians are doing for the simple fact that so much of their yeshivas budget is dependent on money through the government which is dependent upon the politicians
for example rav yehuda cohen a rosh yeshiva in modi’in elite (not the rosh yeshiva of Yekirei yerushalayim in Geula) spoke at a rally against the giyus last year and he said “I know that right now i am forfeiting my livelihood” and in fact the next day he was fired and this is just one of many many stories
Rav Zevulun Shub Rosh Yeshivas Derech Emes and prime disciple of Rav Shach z”l said: Before i sign anything against the the giyus i weigh in my mind if i am mechuyav to close my yeshiva in order to sign it
thats why in the USA where there isn’t such a fear most gedolim are on a certain side
Bmokom sh’ayn ish……