The members of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, headed by the
Rosh Yeshiva, Maran HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, met
this past Monday for a unique gathering in the latter's
home to discuss topical issues facing the chareidi
public. Foremost on the agenda was the critical battle
in preventing army mobilization for bnei yeshiva.
Similarly important was the need to preserve and
increase the political clout of the United Torah Jewry
party in the upcoming elections while buttressing the
firm foundations of Yiddishkeit, especially during
these trying times when our public is being persecuted
and so horribly vilified by secular bodies attempting
to strike at us from outside and inside, and to harm
Torah scholars. The Moetzes also designated the third
candidate on the Degel HaTorah list who will be in the
sixth position in the United Torah Judaism list.
The meeting was opened by HaRav Shteinman who expressed
his pain over the struggle of Torah-true Jewry during
this harried pre-election times in holding our own in
the battle against army service for Torah students.
Read the remarks of HaRav Shteinman here.
At the end of the discussion, which went on for a long
time, the meeting was brought to a close with the
resolutions of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, read aloud
by its secretary, Rabbi Avrohom Rubinstein:
"The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah has gathered here today in
anticipation of the upcoming elections scheduled for
the 11th of Shevat, where critical issues will hang in
the balance relating to religious fundamentals, such as
the continued existence of the yeshivas, the purity of
chareidi education and other topics facing Klal Yisroel
that cleaves to Toras Hashem, "because it is our life
and the length of our days."
"The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah expresses its support for
our representatives sheluchei derabbonon who
have toiled faithfully during this past term against
all those who attempted to strike at our sacred
principles in general and at Torah scholars in
particular.
"The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah calls upon every single
person to rally and assume responsibility, as one man
with one heart, for the success of the United Torah
Jewry party in the upcoming elections where basic
fundamentals of religion will hang in the balance.
"The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah again endorses the
Council's decision of the 26th of Av, 5772, calling
upon roshei yeshiva to direct their students to appear
at the army recruitment offices when summoned, but not
to sign any document whatsoever obligating themselves
to anything connected to the draft, and to declare that
Torah is their career.
"The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah stands behind its
representatives in maintaining vigil over the military
people lest they harm the lifestyle and/or dignity of
Torah students."
Participating in this meeting were the following
members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah: the Rosh
Yeshiva, HaRav Shteinman; HaRav Nissim Karelitz; HaRav
Gershon Eidelstein; HaRav Yitzchok Scheiner; HaRav
Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi; HaRav Arye Finkel; HaRav
Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger; HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch;
HaRav Boruch Dov Povarsky; HaRav Dov Yaffe; HaRav
Yitzchok Silberstein and HaRav Dovid Cohen.
HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, was unable to attend since he
was abroad. At the conclusion of the meeting, a letter
from HaRav Yehuda Adess was read out loud. HaRav Adess
wrote that he was unable to come but he expressed his
agreement to the results of the meeting in his
letter.
