Jerusalem – Ponovitch Rosh Yeshiva: Extremists Are Lampooning Our Gedolim

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    Jerusalem – Following criticism of his statements last week praising even irreligious Israeli soldiers, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovitch spoke on Monday to a group of students affiliated with the Eida Chareidis in order to further clarify his words and said that those who engage in extremist behavior are making a mockery of the leading Rabbonim of our generation.

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    R’ Gershon Edelstein was approached by the group of students who wished to better understand his statement that even those Israeli soldiers who are not religiously observant have earned their share in the world to come by virtue of the fact that they are willing to give their lives for the sake of others.

    According to reports in Israeli news source Kikar Hashabat, R’ Edelstein told the students that while there were those who felt that his words last week contradicted the Gemara, the Rambam and others, his statements were not his own thoughts but those of Gedolei Yisroel. Quoting R’ Yechezkel Levenstein zt’l and the Chazon Ish zt’l, R’ Edelstein said it is forbidden to hate the chilonim and while we must hate any sins, we must have pity on the chilonim who fall under the halachic classification of “tinokos shenishbu” and are therefore not responsible for their sins.

    R’ Edelstein took to task those extremists who continue to incite animosity against the chilonim.

    “There are those who go out of their way to foster hatred for irreligious Jews and ultimately all they accomplish is to make a mockery out of our great Rabbonim,” said R’ Edelstein. “There were those who lampooned the Steipler and the Chazon Ish when they instructed their followers to go out and vote in the elections, but it is clear to all that their motives were only to belittle our gedolim, not for the benefit of klal yisroel.”

    R’ Edelstein concluded by making it clear that he welcomed the opportunity to further clarify his statements for anyone who had any additional questions.


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    32 Comments
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    Jew12
    Jew12
    12 years ago

    The Chazon Ish never instructed anyone to go vote

    12 years ago

    Extremism has very limited value in Torah. We are guided with specifics on how issur can become botul in heter. An exception is chometz on Pesach which has the most miniscule shiur – the basis for the chumros of Pesach.

    The additional issue these extremists are missing is that they are entitled, at the very best, to demand stringencies on themselves. They should be busy with the learning (that supposedly exempts them from military service) instead of cruising the streets assessing sleeve lengths or hemlines. Their shmiras einayim is poor if they are discovering all these “breaches” of standards.

    If they would do the extra to increase kedusha in the world, extol the virtues of tznius, they may have a better chance on achieving the desired outcome. Meanwhile, all that we witness are people who have challenged their boredom by creating drama through violence. Such a shame. The Rosh Yeshiva is quite accurate. Our Gedolim have been tricked into supporting, or not quashing these extremists.

    shredready
    shredready
    12 years ago

    the extremist take are just following the lead from satmar who could not thank katzner or Zionist for saving his live, and his followers still cannot admit that it was the Zionist who saved him

    rebbe123
    rebbe123
    12 years ago

    Can he please explain the meaning of ” Mesanecho hashem esno ubie’miskonnecho eskotot”?

    ALTERG
    ALTERG
    12 years ago

    But the Chazon Ish was also against גיוס בנות against חיטוטי שכבי against חילול שבת against sitting toghether in buses, so guys if you wane follow this tzadilk you need to listen to all his rules

    JLemE
    JLemE
    12 years ago

    “Quoting R’ Yechezkel Levenstein zt’l and the Chazon Ish zt’l, R’ Edelstein said it is forbidden to hate the chilonim and while we must hate any sins, we must have pity on the chilonim who fall under the halachic classification of “tinokos shenishbu” and are therefore not responsible for their sins. “

    Here is the relevant quote from the Chazon Ish (YD 2:28) :

    ותינוק שנשבה …ובהגהות מימוני פ”ו מהלכות דעות כתב דאין רשאין לשנאותו אלא אחרי שאינו מקבל תוכחה. ובסוף ספר ״אהבת-חסד״ כתב בשם הגר״י מולין דמצוה לאהוב את הרשעים מהאי טעמא כי אצלנו הוא קודם תוכחה שאין אנו יודעים להוכיח, ודיינינן להו כאנוסין‬‬‬‬‬



    shlomozalman
    shlomozalman
    12 years ago

    Finally, a Litvish Rosh Yeshiva who has the courage to say the truth. In Olam Habah, the irreligious soldiers will tower over the yeshiva boy cowards.

    Erlich
    Erlich
    12 years ago

    #3 is right. The late Satmar Rebbe showed no Hakarat Hatov to Rudolf Kastner who saved his life in the Holocaust. Moreover, the Rebbe fled leaving his flock behind. In contrast, Moshe Rabbeinu was a Ro’eh Ne’eman.

    proud-mo-israeli
    proud-mo-israeli
    12 years ago

    the haredim should be kissing the feet of the soldiers that protect them day & night whilst they are “learning”

    yklbp
    yklbp
    12 years ago

    Yasher koach to the rosh yeshiva for showing true torah leadership.

    12 years ago

    yasher koach to the rosh hayeshiva for speaking out against these radicals

    savtat
    savtat
    12 years ago

    Great men say great things – halevai everyone in the country would speak out the truth! Kol Hakavod.