The survey published over the weekend in the first edition reminded me of the holy call of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, which repeated itself time and time again in the first election campaigns.
Here is an excerpt from a letter that the Rebbe sent to the representative of Agudat Yisrael in the Knesset and the first Minister of Welfare of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Meir Levin: "Regarding the elections, as in the previous elections, in the 1975 speech, I explained my opinion and my instructions to the management of the Chabad Association in the Holy Land, and they certainly published it long ago.".
The Rebbe's instruction was clear. Note the following: "All those parties or factions or people who will prevent the establishment of this technical religious front - are thereby placing the profits of the party, faction, etc. above the profits of the general religious situation in the Holy Land, which concerns thousands and tens of thousands of our fellow Israelites in the Holy Land, which concerns thousands and tens of thousands of our brothers...
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"The election propaganda is noticeable for a long time even after the elections, and if the propaganda is directed towards circles that are not yet religious for whatever reason, then not only can we hope to acquire new votes as mentioned, but there will also be a benefit in bringing a certain number of our fellow Israelites closer to religious matters.".
After the period of the Lapid-Bennett government, a period in which Torah scholars were persecuted as never before, a period in which the steps of the Haredim were hindered by the word of God and the plot of the evil inclination succeeded, it is clear and inevitable that all the parties that claim to represent the public of the God-fearing will unite under one banner and declare in a loud voice, "Who is on God's side with me?".
The fact is that the polls also prove that unity in the Haredi camp is worth more than seats, to the point that a United Religious Front could become the third largest party in Israel. The implication is too clear to ignore.
Fact. Maran was right!
Every child understands what is behind Deri's resignation game. And I have no interest in expanding on that. Every child understands why Yishai chose the "ultra-right" niche.
He didn't want to crush Shas, which the polls predicted would collapse even before he resigned.
If these two are able to understand and see before their own eyes what the Rebbe saw decades ago, if they can only overcome their egos and understand that this is a war for the home and not for honor. If only the Hasidim, the Lithaim, and the Shlomi Emunim are able to understand how important unity is to the future of the Haredi public in the Land of Israel, it is possible that the "Haredi" party will be the largest political force in the Knesset.
What is interesting is that the conservative Rabbi of the late Rabbinate, Zt"l, estimated in the same famous tape that brought the spin of Deri's resignation that placing Deri at the head of Shas would cause a voter exodus of approximately 30-40% from the holy movement's voters. In fact, the polls indicate that nearly 40% of Shas voters deserted in the previous elections.
So what do you say, a wise man is better than a prophet?
All in all. Instead of crushing the Haredi force into crumbs and party fragments, and instead of making declarations about who should form the next government, let's focus on the most important thing - establishing a united religious front that will increase the representation of Torah and mitzvot observers in the Knesset and curb the legislative attack against Torah scholars and the series of steps intended to narrow the paths of the Haredi public.
Let us all call on public representatives from all parties and ethnicities, factions and circles, to leave their disputes behind for just three to four months, until the next government is formed. Because it is in our hearts.
Incidentally, the Rebbe did not believe that there was no room for different Haredi factions, but rather called on them all to run together in order to increase Haredi strength.
For the purpose of this, this can be defined as a technical bloc that does not completely merge the various factions, but rather runs them all under one ballot.
It's in our hands!
I will conclude with another quote from the Rebbe regarding the importance of unity among the observant community ahead of the elections. The Rebbe said the following ahead of the 5789 election campaign. It is recommended that everyone read the words carefully and influence the members of Knesset to unite. Pay attention to the following:
""The election campaign in the Land of Israel was conducted in a manner that was completely the opposite of unity, including among Jews who strictly observe the Torah and its commandments, among whom a state of discord was created, to the point where "everyone fought against his brother," and even more than that - "everyone's sword against his brother," may God have mercy on him...
""And there is no need to prolong the explanation of the negation of the matter of the dispute, since it is something that is understandable and simple to everyone, and what is more, the intention is not to utter a moral maxim, but rather to find advice on how to correct this situation, eliminate the dispute and bring about a state of unity, as follows. Gather together to discuss and talk about this issue that is agreed upon by all, and then all parties will see and realize that there is a possibility of talking in a humane and respectful manner, that they can sit down at one table and drink tea...
""Such a meeting will certainly contribute to bringing hearts closer together between all parties, so that each party can hear and listen to the words of the person sitting on the other side of the table, and perhaps even see and recognize his virtue! And after that - they will be able to discuss and talk about issues in which there are differences of opinion, issues that are controversial, try to bridge the gap between them, and find a way that will be acceptable to all parties.".
The unified Haredi list is not a pipe dream.
It is possible! And it is in the hands of each and every one of us.
• Part of the column is based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | The writer is the owner of "My Choice", an event host, lecturer and radio broadcaster | For comments: [email protected]
