''The deceased had 14 children': Strassler tweeted about the late Rosh Yeshiva - and was angered

April 24, 2020   

Nehemiah Strassler, Haaretz's economic commentator, tweeted a tweet on his Twitter account that caused a stir online, in which he referred to the passing of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Aharon Turchin, zt"l, who contracted the coronavirus and died at the age of 48, leaving behind 14 orphans. Strassler wondered how the secular public has a chance when families in the Haredi public are blessed with children - and wrote: "My heart aches for the young deceased, and for the widow and children. We must help them. But tell me, my secular brothers, what chance do we have, if the deceased had 14 children?" The tweet drew, as expected, many responses from those who were shocked by his words. MK Yaakov Margi responded at noon: "Nehemiah Strassler is in a constant war and in high self-anxiety. These days, and especially these days, when we are commanded to increase love. So accept an answer that is not the most pleasant and compassionate. You have no chance of winning not because of the natural increase, but because of the hatred in which you are immersed and drowning." Aharon Dov Halperin, editor of the weekly magazine 'Kfar Chabad', responded: "And I ask my secular and religious brothers - what chance do we have if among us there are writers with such human sensitivity?" Yossi Elitov, editor of the newspaper 'Mishpacha', responded: "Nehemiah, there are three signs that indicate belonging to the family of the Israelites. Merciful, shy and reciprocating kindness. Anyone who is absent from all three signs, it is better to check with someone else and see if they will be spared." Yehuda Schlesinger of 'Israel Hayom' wrote: "Wow, what a repulsive man." Eldad Yaniv wondered: "Why is Nehemiah like that?" Dorit replied to him: "I am secular and I do not belong to your brothers or sisters. Shame on you. The Haredim are the real Jews. And I really hope that people like you really have no chance and will never have a chance." And Noa responded: "I am secular and you are not, but absolutely not, my brother. Rest in peace, you scum of humanity.".