Chief Rabbi Yosef: 'A rabbi in Russia is not allowed to leave and abandon his community!'"
June Green
September 6, 2022
Photo:
Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90
The Rishon LeZion against rabbis who abandoned their community in Russia and fled: In a special letter that Rabbi Yosef sent to the emergency conference of rabbis from dozens of communities across Russia, which took place yesterday (Monday) in Moscow, he came out strongly against those who fled the country after the outbreak of the war and left their community members behind.The Chief Rabbi Yosef wrote in his letter: "In these difficult days, you stand as a pillar of fire leading the camp. All of Russian Jewry leans on you spiritually and mentally, both those who turn to you for legal rulings and advice and guidance, and those who observe your leadership and are influenced by it. It is clear that 'for such a time as this you have come to the kingdom,' this is the time when it is your duty to strengthen and encourage your communities.". The Chief Rabbi added: "We come here to strengthen your hands, and to inform the Torah that every rabbi has a sacred duty to remain with the flock of his shepherd, and it is forbidden for him to leave his community, God willing. A rabbi and spiritual guide who, God forbid, leaves his community, is spiritually and spiritually abandoning the members of his community, and this is similar to the captain of a ship tossing in the midst of a raging sea, who abandons it and its passengers and flees for his life... ""Scholars of the Torah increase peace in the world, and the Torah was given to make peace in the world. This is our clear role as rabbis who are concerned with guiding its paths, the paths of comfort. It is therefore understandable that the role assigned to rabbis is to strengthen the observance of the Torah and the mitzvot in their community, to engage in acts of kindness and material and spiritual help to the members of the community, and to stay away from involvement in political matters and policies for any party."".
[גלריה]
The rabbis of the communities that gathered in Moscow also declared at the end of the conference: "It is not our business to engage in politics and geopolitics, God forbid. We are shocked that there are various individuals who not only think that the role of rabbis is to engage in politics, and even flee their community as a form of political protest, but also send messages against rabbis who do not act in this manner.".
""We strengthen the hands of the rabbis and community leaders who have found themselves under attack, and support their responsible and appropriate conduct."".
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