Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, Slabodka rosh yeshiva, came out sharply against efforts to persuade members of the chareidi tzibbur to boycott the upcoming Knesset elections, warning that those encouraging Yidden not to vote are acting out of “either wickedness or foolishness.”

The Rosh Yeshiva addressed the issue during a closed meeting in Bnei Brak with representatives of Degel HaTorah, amid attempts by some elements on the fringes of the chareidi community to convince voters to stay home on Election Day, whether as a protest or because of ideological opposition to participation in Israeli elections.

Rav Landau made clear that he firmly rejects such a course and believes the chareidi public must participate in the election in order to protect the interests of the olam haTorah and the broader frum community.

“Woe to anyone who incites people not to go to the elections, woe to him – and I do not want to continue,” Rav Landau told those present emphatically, adding that anyone promoting such a position is acting out of “either wickedness or foolishness.”

The comments highlight the position of the gedolim, who have long regarded participation in elections as an essential means of maintaining political representation and protecting the needs of yeshivos, kollelim, bnei Torah, mosdos and chareidi families.

The controversy comes as Degel HaTorah prepares for the upcoming election amid significant internal changes within the party and a broader debate over how the chareidi tzibbur should respond to the ongoing battles over the draft, funding for yeshivos and the status of the olam haTorah.

Rav Landau has repeatedly taken a firm line against efforts to draft bnei yeshivos, making clear that opposition to the draft does not mean withdrawing from the political arena altogether.

{Matzav.com}