The satire program 'Eretz Nehederet' will present an imitation of Maran Harav Kanievsky and his grandson Yanki Kanievsky this evening (Wednesday) on Keshet Channel 12.
The ultra-Orthodox sector is expressing shock at the humiliation of Maran on a cheap satirical entertainment show.
MK Bezalel Smotrich responded: "I protest the insult to the honor of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, may God have mercy on him. The satirists are not only disparaging the rabbi, but also a large traditional, religious, and ultra-Orthodox public that admires the great men of Israel.".
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According to him, "Your contempt mainly teaches you about yourself and your world of values. During your stupid skit, Rabbi Chaim will learn a few more pages of Gemara, everything else is much less important.".
The director general of the Religious Zionist party, Yehuda Wald, quoted from the Talmud Torah teachings of the Rambam: "It is a great sin to despise the sages or to hate them. Jerusalem was not destroyed until the scholars despised it, as it is said: 'And they mocked the angels of God, and despised His words, and deceived His prophets.'".
MK Ayoob Kara joined the defenders: "I also join the Haredi protest against the imitation of the great Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky in the Eretz Nehederim program. There is a limit to every prank. I am in favor of satire, but even in satire, red lines must not be crossed. I call for their honor to be preserved and for satirical programs not to be made about rabbis and religious figures of all denominations.".
A Twitter user wrote: "Great heroes about ultra-Orthodox religious leaders. Don't you dare make a skit about Muhammad or any significant Muslim religious leader.".
""Shame. Today we don't watch the episode just because of the disrespect," wrote another commenter.
""You crossed the line," another commenter clarified.
And another wrote: "I really love 'Eretz Nehederet,' but when it comes to the Torah scholar. It's simply not interesting to laugh at or even imitate him. It's inappropriate and disrespectful, no matter what sector you're from.".
