Politics & Religion

B"H

I have been writing quite a lot about the war in Gaza and about Israeli politics lately. Not that I am planning to neglect or give up my reports about haredi / chassidic society; not at all but especially politics are an important daily issue in Israel. Missing one news report may be disastrous. In our country, any second something can happen and people like to be informed. Even about the bad news. And don't make the mistake and think that Mea Shearim has no clue about what is going on in the Knesset. Sometimes they are better informed than I am.

Now, a few days bevore the elections on Tuesday, also haredi society is talking politics. About Gur and the "Yahadut HaTorah" party. Should they vote for them or not ? The anti - Zionist umbrella organization made it clear to their members not to participate in any "Zionist" elections but Agudah members as Gur and many orthers are anxious to vote. As a matter of fact, the Gerrer Rebbe even changed the wedding date of his granddaughter to a date before the elections. The granddaughter was supposed to get married on Feb. 10th, the actual election day but, in the end, the wedding took already place this week. The Gerrer Rebbe wants all his Chassidim going to vote on Tuesday and no wedding should bother.

Of course, the Yahadut HaTorah at least wants to keep its present five Knesset seats but as it looks at the moment, such a result is in danger. According to many Haredim (e.g. Chassidut Slonim Jerusalem), society is still upset about what Gur did to Me'ir Porush when he wanted to become the new Jerusalem mayor.

The Sephardi Haredim from SHASS don't have that kind of a problem. It is almost certain that they get at least 11 seats. SHASS voters are known as not too bright among Israeli society. If this is just a prejudice or not, there is one very good point about SHASS: They do a lot for social issues. Helping out people, building kindergardens, soup kitchens, etc.

Personally I don't like when great rabbia ans rebbes get involved into politics. Maybe I am old - fashioned but I think that a rabbis should stick to Torah and Talmud only. Simply because he should be a religious person and not getting involved with all kinds of corruption and wheelings and dealings. Politics always mean "dirty business" and someone religious should keep away from it.

On the other hand, already the Baal Shem Tov came to the conclusion that there is nothing evil in this world and any negativity can be uplifted. Lets just hope that the new Knesset is getting more uplifted than the last one.