Rabbi Dov Landau, who, along with Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, is considered one of the two main rabbinic voices that guide the Degel HaTorah party, was seen on a video about a week ago saying the following:
“There are wicked people, including those who wear knitted kippot. I am talking about those with knitted kippot who force people to go [to the army]. I would ask them, according to their position - though they have no position, rather according to their foolishness - if the state sends people, soldiers, for the sake of the country’s honor, and they kill people, is that also permissible? That is literal murder. Therefore, they are inciting murder - that is what they are doing. They are making wars not for the sake of saving people, just for the honor of the state.”
His remarks were so incendiary that even Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned these words - and immediately, Degel HaTorah released a statement defending the words of the rabbi. As quoted by the Jerusalem Post, the party said, “The words of the great Torah scholars are the holy of holies of the people of Israel, and we live by them. Those who do not live the world of the Torah and do not understand the depth of their words, it is better not to rush to interpret them, and certainly not to attack them. Beware of their burning embers.”
For people outside of the Chareidi world, and certainly for some within it as well, episodes like this - offensive and hurtful statements that are false, followed by a requisite political demand that the words of certain leading rabbis not be questioned - are reasons that some have given up on the possibility of real change coming from within the Chareidi world. Whether it’s regarding army service or integration into the workplace, many people are despairing.
Rabbi Menachem Bombach is different. He grew up in the Chassidic community of Meah Shearim and still identifies with that community, even as he is working from inside to effect real change in the Chareidi world.
In our conversation, Rabbi Bombach explains why meaningful change within the Chareidi world must begin with empathy rather than condemnation, at the same time that he insists that the current trajectory is unsustainable for both Israeli society and the Chareidi community itself. We discuss the challenge of changing deeply ingrained narratives, the responsibility of rabbinic and political leadership, the opportunities and obstacles facing Chareidim who seek greater integration into Israeli society, and why he believes education is the key to preserving the best of the Chareidi world while preparing future generations to contribute more fully to the State of Israel. We also consider what those of us outside the Chareidi community can do to encourage change without deepening the divisions that already exist.
It’s an important and timely conversation that touches on some of the most important issues facing the Jewish world today.
This week, exclusively for OCC members, Rabbi Bombach explains why he has chosen to remain within the Chareidi community despite his many criticisms, rather than join a different Orthodox stream such as Religious Zionism. He also addresses a difficult and emotional question: if the Chareidi world truly values the soldiers defending Israel, why do so many Israelis perceive that appreciation as little more than lip service, and why are Chareidim often seen attending the funerals of fallen soldiers in disappointing numbers? To hear that exclusive discussion and support the podcast, become a member of Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack.
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