NEWS
Falsehood Joined with Curses
by D. Tzfatman
How fitting is the description of the Yerushalmi maggid HaRav Sholom Schwadron regarding the nature of politics! "Let me quote to you," he said, "from the Medrash in Parshas Noach which tells how Noach accepted only paired animals to the ark.
"The Medrash says that Falsehood also wished to enter the ark, but Noach said that it required a mate. Falsehood went searching for a mate and found Curses. He asked if he was willing to join him. Curses said: 'What is in it for me?' Replied Falsehood, 'You can take whatever I get.' And thus, both were able to enter the ark!
"And ever since, says the Medrash, whatever Falsehood succeeds in gaining is requisitioned by Curses."
"And this is the root of politics," said Rav Sholom. "It is a coalition of Falsehood and Curses. And even if, to begin with, Falsehood seems impressive, and even rates high in the surveys, in the end, whatever Falsehood gains is seized by Curses."
HaRav Elchonon Wassermann defined the difference between politics and the activities of Agudath Israel:
"What then is the basic difference between Agudath Israel and all other political parties? A party is a party. But we do not aim to be a [mere] party. Each party has its own individual agenda according to which it operates, its political platform by which it protects and promotes its party's interests. But from the Torah aspect, party politics are avoda zara! And from the Torah viewpoint, it leads to the ruination of the world.
"We must watch over ourselves as we observe politics in its ruination lest we get swept up in this atmosphere. We must detach ourselves from it and remember that Agudath Israel is not like other political parties, because it is not a party at all!"
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