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| MK Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus (Ynet) |
The scary thing is that he probably believes every word he
says. In this case, that amounts to a conspiracy theory: a coalition of Israeli
institutions whose goal is to destroy the Torah world. Only now, with
unprecedented zeal and determination. As though the State of Israel is more
anti-Torah than at any other time in its history.
When in fact, it is more than obvious that the opposite is
true. There is more Torah study now in Israel than at any other time in Jewish history!
Some excerpts from the op-ed:
It is no secret that the chareidi community in Eretz Yisrael is facing one of the most severe challenges it has known since the founding of the state. Incitement and polarization have become routine, economic measures are increasingly wielded as political weapons, and pressure on those devoted to Torah study is no longer applied indirectly: It is systematic.
In the Knesset, we work toward one clear objective, guided by the gedolei Yisrael in this struggle for the soul of the state: securing the status of Torah scholars, who have served as the spiritual shield of the Jewish People in every generation.
This is no longer a technical debate over enlistment targets or budgetary clauses. It is a struggle over legitimacy itself: the legitimacy of a Torah-observant community to exist in Eretz Yisrael on its own terms… What we are witnessing is not spontaneous hostility, but a calculated and well-orchestrated campaign… a coordinated mechanism that operates as a strategic pipeline: manipulated data is produced, amplified, legitimized, and ultimately translated into policy. Each stage reinforces the next, creating a closed loop that tightens pressure around the chareidi home under the cover of professionalism and objectivity.
Rabbi Pindrus goes on to describe in detail why he believes
this to be the case. I’m sure he sees it exactly as he tells it. And suggests
that more must be done to counter this alleged campaign.
He may not intend violence to be part of that mission, but
the urgency with which he frames his argument could easily be interpreted that
way. After all, when fighting for one’s very existence, one must do whatever it
takes to survive.
What is beyond belief is that he does not seem to care why
the rest of Israel is so upset - even angry - at the Charedi world. He has to
know about the sacrifices being made by the rest of the Israeli population. It
isn’t a secret. How is it possible that he sees only enemies and not the blood,
sweat, and tears so many of his own people have endured? Some of whom are just
as devout as he is! How is it possible that he does not have the kind of deep compassion
shown by Rav Asher Weiss when he visited a hospitalized IDF soldier who had
lost two legs and an arm in battle?
Nothing. Not a word. It’s all about the ‘war against the
Torah’.
The key to his willful blindness is actually mentioned in
the body of his message: ‘guided by the gedolei Yisrael’.
The only possible explanation for his inability to see
beyond his community’s narrow interests is his leadership’s refusal to speak
about anything else. They sees what is happening as an existential threat. Not
only to themselves, but to the soul of Israel. If Charedim don’t get their way,
Israel will lose its soul. The corollary is that it will no longer be a Jewish
state and perhaps no longer deserve to survive.
The kind of high-level Torah study done in Charedi Yeshivos
and Kollels is therefore portrayed as necessary for Israel’s very existence. A level of Torah study not done anywhere else.
This ignores the many Religious Zionist Yeshivos where
high-level Torah study also takes place - fully supported by the
supposedly ‘anti-Torah’ government.
For the sake of argument, let us concede that the Charedi Yeshiva world does contain Torah study at levels that surpass even the best of the Religious Zionist Yeshivos...
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