"The Government must make a clear decision regarding the
respecting of Jewish values and Shabbos, even if this incurs
financial or other difficulties. We are obligated to go to
great lengths in order to preserve our identify, so that our
right to exist in our land will be justified," Rabbi Ravitz
said at a meeting last week over a no confidence motion.
Rabbi Ravitz reminded his listeners that the UTJ party joined
the coalition without requesting any governmental jobs,
conveying the message that it seeks neither posts, power or
financial control. Nonetheless, the Prime Minister was
informed that UTJ would insist that three areas not be
undermined: the yeshivos, the chareidi educational system,
and Shabbos. "Give me Yavneh and its sages," Rabbi Ravitz
said, "and the glorious tradition of Torah study. It has
sustained Am Yisroel through all time, and it must not
be harmed."
Rabbi Ravitz said, "We have a right to exist in this land
only if we preserve our Jewish identity, expressed by the
honoring of Jewish values, especially Shabbos. However, the
Government failed the Shabbos test. It has been inconsiderate
of the sensitivities of more than a million citizens of the
State for whom Shabbos is dear. When we told the Prime
Minister that one should not behave this way toward partners
for whom the issue of Shabbos is crucial, we received a
pareve answer: "Professionals will decide," and all of
our suggestions -- even those of the Infrastructure Minister
who made tremendous, yet futile, efforts in this issue --
fell on deaf ears."
In relating to the current diplomatic issues, Rabbi Ravitz
said: "We must be worthy of Hashem's promise that the entire
land of Israel be ours, otherwise no negotiations or talks
will avail. The Government must beware of mistakes and know
that Jewish lives are dependent upon its negotiations. If it
is forced to surrender territory in order to achieve peace,
it should do with sensitivity and with a deep feeling of
responsibility towards Eretz Yisroel and Am
Yisroel.
