#0202_A_View_From_Haredi_Jerusalem
"Leading Rabbi: 'In Israel, We're Still in Exile.'
"Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s office visited Bnei Brak [1] recently. The highlight of the trip was a visit to Rabbi Povarsky’s [2] home, where the defense officials learned about the Haredi worldview from one of its key representatives. The Rabbi who heads the Ponovich Yeshiva, gave a rare explanation on the Haredi approach to the army, the Zionist country, and why Haredis aren’t draft-dodgers. The visitors left surprised by the Rabbi’s wisdom, and his clear and steadfast view.
'Why are we successful? They say miracles, miracles. It's because there’s Torah. We work in a different way. There’s the Navy and there’s the army radio station, Galei Tzahal. Do people work there, I ask you? They sit in the office telling jokes. We work 24 hours. Come to the Yeshiva at 1 o'clock and you’ll see boys sitting and learning. They’ve already offered a secular guy to try a month in Yeshiva. He ran away after two weeks. So we’re the shirkers? We work very hard, and we know and believe that this country remains standing thanks to the Torah', said the Rabbi in excitement.
When asked if he was for or against the Zionist state, the Rabbi replied, 'Now you’re talking politics. Our Holy Temple was destroyed because of our sins, and that’s why we left our country. We pray to return to Zion. Did [the messiah] return? Not yet. Along came Hertzl and built a country. Did you get permission? Did you ask the Lord? He pays no dues and makes a country. It’s good here in Israel, but in America, it’s better, less dangerous. I won’t fly there, though. I want to be here in Israel, but still in exile. Under what rule? We await the Messiah.'"
– Kikar HaShabat
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0202 Editor’s Note:
[1] Bnei Brak is a Haredi city located near Tel Aviv.
[2] Rabbi Povarsky is head of the Ponovitch Yeshiva, located in Bnei Brak, one of the leading Litvak Haredi Yeshivas. Litvaks are thought to have a primarily academic and intellectual approach to Torah learning, in comparison to Hasidim who focus on prayer and character refinement.
#Torah #Haredi #Military_Draft #IDF
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