It appears that the Rabbonim Shlita who guide Degel Hatorah and Agudas Yisrael will be meeting as one combined forum as the chareidim are focused on continuing the achdus that led to seven seats in the general elections.

The official process of forming a coalition government is underway as President Shimon Peres gave the mandate to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on motzei Shabbos the eve of 23 Shevat 5773. Yahadut Hatorah representatives have already held their first round of negotiations, and while they see to remain optimistic, they are aware they face a stiff uphill battle, one that may be compounded by a deal reached between Atid Yisrael and Yisrael Beitenu, which represents 31 seats.

The chareidim, Shas and Yahadut Hatorah first viewed the situation as having a combined 18 seats as opposed to Yesh Atid’s 19. This they felt placed them in a good negotiating position. Now however, amid reports that Yesh Atid and Bayit HaYehudi are working as a unit creates a new reality, for they have a combined 31 seats, and together with Likud/Beitenu’s 31 seats, they already have a coalition majority, albeit by only two seats.

A kenos is planned at which the Rabbonim Shlita will speak out against ongoing efforts to pull talmidim from yeshivos to serve in the IDF or national service.

The Agudas Yisrael Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah is being revamped for the first time in well over a decade, and the new body will include the Vishnitz, Belz, Erlau, Slonim, Boyan, Sanz, Sadigura, Alexander, Moditz Rebbes Shlita. The move follows the infusion of new rabbonim into the Degel Hatorah Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael this past summer.

According to a קו החשיפות report this morning, Tuesday, 25 Shevat 5773, HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita has confirmed his planned attendance at the kenos. If both Councils of Torah Sages attend the kenos as indicated, it will indeed be a historic event.

Such an event will also send a clear message to those who believe they may impose their will on the chareidi tzibur and compel talmidim and avreichim to abandon their limud Torah to comply with demands to serve in the military or national service against the wishes of Gedolei Yisrael Shlita.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)