[AUDIO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]
Yesh Atid MK Rabbi Shai Piron spoke out expressing his bewilderment regarding the actions of his own rabbonim. Piron questioned how prominent dati leumi rabbonim, rabbonim under whom he studied; those whom he follows and respects are now chasing after admorim, seeking meeting with chareidi religious leaders.
Speaking to Galei Yisrael Radio on Wednesday 26 Shevat 5773, Piron explained the essence of their actions is pertinent to the image of the State of Israel.
He explains that even as a young talmid, the example of Torah that he received was quite different than that of the chareidim. “I am a bit offended. Don’t they realize that we look at them as role models? We studied the Torah from the beis medrash of Rav Kook. We were educated differently. Our Torah values are significantly different, from another beis medrash, one that views Independence Day, Memorial Day, and reciting Hallel on Intendance Day of major value.”
GALEI YISRAEL (KALMAN LIPSKIND)
But I thought that you in particular, an educator and one always calling for tolerance and acceptance would welcome such a process, meeting with the admorim.
RAV PIRON:
I would have been quite pleased if the admorim called Rabbi Druckman after the entire episode regarding giyur. First of call, we call him HaGaon HaRav Druckman. We do not omit his title ‘rav’ from newspaper headlines and we engage in discussion with him regarding the correct giyur for immigrants from the FSU.
But when there is a debate surrounding the draft and sharing the burden and admittedly who am I to question them but my rabbonim, Rabbi Ariel and Rabbi Druckman are invited to the home of the admorim. With all my desire for love, friendship and brotherhood, I simply don’t get it.
Hear the rabbi’s words:
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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
I don’t understand. Piron abandoned his own (the religous Bayit Hayehudi) & joined with the secular, anti Chareidi, Lapid! How can he now turn around & have taanus on “his” Rabbonim? Talk about a hypocrite!
It makes sense to me -talmidim, are generally very makpid on the kavod of their rebbeim, and certainly his rebbeim have had their kavod stomped upon by certain people in the past (he himself references the disrespect evidenced by some who omit the title “Rav” when referring to once of his rebbeim). On the other hand the Rebbeim themselves, are more modest and do not chase after their own kovod. We of course see this phenomenon as well in the charedi community, where the talmidim are makpid on the kavod of their rebbeim even as the rebbeim themselves are anovim who do not care about the kavod. Thats a difference between a talmid and his rebbe.
The Rabbonim (which here means leader rabbonim, meaning the leaders of the community) are by definition good politicians. Even though they can’t act like politicians, they didn’t get to considered leaders by being dumb about politics. The Hareidi and Dati Leumi have a common interest in not painting themselves into a corner. Even Lapid, who is new to politics (but was raised by a politician) seems to be getting the message.
Piron will learn how to be a politician in time if he stays around. Until then, he’s a bit “confused”.
“But I thought that you in particular, an educator and one always calling for tolerance and acceptance would welcome such a process, meeting with the admorim?”
Piron was shell shock, he had nothing sensible to answer.
All these nut jobs are always preaching about shalom and tolerance, because they have non!