In Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv’s Tuesday night shiur, the Gadol Hador was led into a discussion by shiur participants that addressed the issue of entering the Knesset, and the fact that chareidi MKs are indeed using the Knesset forum towards invoking a better Torah lifestyle for the greater community.

Addressing a sugya dealing with avoda zara, idol worship, the Rav explained one may enter a place of apikorsus if one is going to debate the apikorsim, those lacking faith. The Rav was asked if this would apply to the Knesset, since MKs do indeed debate the non-believers and do seek to advance the Torah lifestyle in Eretz Yisrael.

Maran explained that even for the good of the tzibur, one should not enter the Knesset, not to cross the threshold of the building. When shiur participants continued stressing that chareidi MKs are indeed promoting the Torah agenda and seeking to ‘help’ from Knesset, the Rav added it would be better if the MKs remained at home and tried to help the tzibur from there.

The term “heresy” was used in a description of the Israeli parliament, adding the laws pertaining to apikorsus do indeed apply in Knesset.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)