Which is the Real Chilul HaShem?

Hagaon HaRav Dov Landau holding a Sefer Torah by Kol Nidrei (YWN)

I am not in his league. Not anywhere near it. Rav Dov Landau is a certifiable Gadol. I have never questioned that. Not because I know him or have heard or read his Torah, but because one does not achieve that title without merit. A merit bestowed upon him by the virtual acclamation of almost all Charedi rabbanim and Roshei Yeshiva who have heard or read his Torah.

There is no such thing as saying he is undeserving of that title in the face of near-universal acceptance. His stature is acknowledged by virtually all Bnei Torah studying in Charedi yeshivos throughout Israel. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of young men who are dedicated to serving God through full-time Torah study, at great financial and social sacrifice.

Respect of that nature means that his considered opinions on any subject affecting the Jewish people are regarded as Daas Torah - the best wisdom a human being can offer about the will of God. It would be a serious desecration of Torah to do or say anything less about such a man, who has spent the majority of his 96 years on this earth teaching Torah to thousands of students.

That being said, I cannot escape the feeling that his recent condemnation of HaTzibur HaChareidi is one of the most appalling things anyone can say and still be considered Daas Torah. As reported by YWN:

HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, has issued a blistering letter against the newly established HaTzibur HaChareidi…

The letter was addressed to a Rav associated with the new party who… spoke with the Rosh Yeshiva’s son.

In the letter, Rav Landau called it “great foolishness, if not great wickedness.”

He then issued an unequivocal warning:

“I will fight against you with all the strength I have and even the strength I do not have, because you are causing great harm to Chareidi Judaism.”

“Your actions are like eating forbidden fats on Yom Kippur and eating chametz on Seder night. I wrote this comparison to emphasize the severity of these matters. Retract, retract your actions, and do not cause harm.”

These comments followed another disturbing incident in which UTJ, the party that represents the Charedi community in Israel, was about to publish a document that included the following language:

“…anyone who failed to vote for United Torah Judaism, whose ballot designation is Gimmel, [is] indirectly participating in a chillul Hashem and bearing responsibility for a particularly serious sin.”

It was withdrawn at the last minute because of an objection raised by the Gerrer Rebbe, who said that this language implied that voting for Shas instead of UTJ would constitute a Chillul Hashem.

The fact that the statement was never published and may be revised is almost irrelevant. What is relevant is that the rabbinic leaders who guide UTJ, including Rav Landau, authorized that language and probably feel exactly that way.

Again, I am not in a position to argue with Rav Landau. I am an Am Ha’aretz compared to him. But it is impossible for me to believe that voting for a common-sense party like HaTzibur HaCharedi constitutes a Chillul Hashem.

I believe the opposite is true: Voting for a party that insists on prolonging a status quo that has made the entire population of Israel - including virtually all religious Jews who are not Charedi - HATE Charedim is what actually constitutes a Chillul Hashem…

To continue reading - and/or to comment on this post - click on this link: substack. You must subscribe to receive new posts. It's easy and it's free.