Multipage Responsum Letter Signed by Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar – Responsum Opposing Heter Mechira during ...

Multipage Responsum Letter Signed by Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar – Responsum Opposing Heter Mechira during Shemittah, and Halachic Prohibition of Voting in the Israeli Legislative Elections – Ca. 1951
Lengthy letter of halachic responsum (ten pages), from Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar. [Brooklyn NY, ca. 1951]. Written by a scribe, with the addition of one line handwritten and signed by the Rebbe.
This letter was addressed to R. Chaim Eliyahu Sternberg of Jerusalem (presumably prior to the elections for the Second Knesset in Tammuz 1951, with the approach of Shemittah 1951-1952). The letter consists of a lengthy responsum, in sharp and unequivocal terms, expounding upon the Rebbe of Satmar's firm rejection of Heter Mechira – sale of the land of Eretz Israel to a non-Jew during the Shemittah year (thereby allowing agricultural activities), and prohibiting participating in the elections for the Zionist government.
The letter concludes with one line handwritten and signed by the Rebbe: "I am hereby his friend, who seeks his wellbeing with great love, and awaits Heavenly mercy speedily, Yoel Teitelbaum".
Six sections in this responsum are dedicated to the prohibition of relying on the Heter Mechira. The Rebbe explains that all true, G-d fearing Torah scholars categorically opposed this Heter, which is utterly ungrounded. The whole Heter was devised by some rabbis who were influenced by heretic Zionists, and they succeeded in tricking a few rabbis abroad into giving their support. He mentions the opposition of the Aruch HaShulchan, who, although he was the grandfather of one of the Zionist leaders, denounces the Heter Mechira as an affront to Torah and Eretz Israel (the Zionist leader in question is R. Meir Bar Ilan-Berlin, a head of the Mizrachi, grandson of the Aruch HaShulchan. This reference was omitted in Responsa Divrei Yoel, see below).
In the seventh and final section, the Rebbe of Satmar expounds upon his famous views prohibiting the participation in the elections for the Knesset and the Zionist government, explaining that Orthodox Jewry would reap no benefit from joining the Knesset. At the end of this section, the Rebbe raises an argument in which he compares the Zionists to Christian missionaries. He contends that just like one would never consider collaborating with missionaries, despite the fact that such a partnership would bring certain benefits, since one would appear to be endorsing idol-worship, how can one join, and thereby sanction, a regime of heresy and incitement to sin – something worse than approving of idolatry.
This letter was presumably written before the elections for the Second Knesset in Tammuz 1951, since the Rebbe writes: "And I have already said so in the first elections, yet many erred then since they had not yet grasped the situation, but now, experience has already proven…".
This responsum was first published in its entirety in HaEmek, Jerusalem 1980, pp. 64-73, and in other Torah anthologies. In Responsa Divrei Yoel (New York, 1982), this responsum was printed in Part I, Yoreh De'ah, section 95 (with the omission of several words, as mentioned above).
Recipient of the letter: R. Chaim Eliyahu Sternberg, distinguished and accomplished Torah scholar, served as rabbi of the Katamon neighborhood under the Eda HaCharedit. He was closely associated with the Rebbe of Satmar, and was amongst the founders of Satmar institutions in Jerusalem. At the behest of the Rebbe of Satmar, he established 18 boys' schools for children of immigrants throughout the country. He composed 22 books and booklets on Halachah, Aggadah, homily and Kabbalah.
[5] leaves (10 written pages), official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Overall good condition. Marginal wear and minor tears to some leaves, not affecting text. Folding marks.