The Brisker Rav's Perspective on the Elections. [Jerusalem] 1959

The Brisker Rav's Perspective on the Elections. [Jerusalem] 1959

Details of a discussion between Rabbi Yitzchak Zeev Soloveitchik and Rabbi Avraham Roth, member of the administration of the Eidah HaChareidit in Jerusalem, with respect to elections to the Knesset. [Jerusalem, 1959].

Specifications: [1] leaf, stencil paper. 21x32 cm.

Background: Rabbi Yitzchak Zeev Soloveitchik [1887-1959], the Brisker Rav, immigrated to Jerusalem and was leader of the Lithuanian (Yeshivah) Chareidi public. He was known as a sharp opponent of Zionism.

Leading up to the elections to the fourth Knesset, there was an initiative to unite the religious parties and run as a united religious front. Following the Brisker Rav's requirement, the chareidi parties refused this unification and there was a claim that in exchange, the Brisker Rav would support their election, and that he does not explicitly prohibit participation in the elections to the Knesset. Refuting this claim, heard after the Brisker Rav's passing, this letter representing the Rav's stance was publicized, as was said to Rabbi Roth on 22 Adar II 1949. Rabbi Yitzchak Zeev explained that this should not be concluded from his call not to vote for the united religious front, because of the permission to participate in the election of a different party. Similar to rabbis who worked to exempt Jews who studied in a gymnasium from writing on Shabbat, when the concern of desecration of Shabbat did not prevent parents sending their children to a gymnasium, so too he sees fit to turn to those who were accustomed to voting, and are not concerned about its prohibition, they should at least "not vote, Heaven forbid, with their very hands, for Mizrachi, to strengthen these corrupt ones whose corruption in recent times crosses every boundary." At the conclusion of the letter, it is brought that it pained the Brisker Rav very much that there are chareidim who would vote for the Knesset due to the propaganda following the annulment of the united religious front.

Condition: Fold marks, fine condition.