Gimmel, Gedolim and some History

by Zev
(RBS A)

Is it possible that Gimmel has created a monopoly on the Gedolim? A monopoly that serves only narrow interests, but does not address the needs of a wider Klal Yisrael? Is it possible that Gimmel only focuses on improving the lot of a specific segment of the Chareidi community, while ignoring or working against those that fall into the BalleBatishe or Moderate Chareidi camp?

Why can’t a party like Tov (just as an example) receive the blessing of the Gedolim as well? If Tov represents Bnai Torah who feel that their needs are indeed not being addressed by Gimmel, why can’t Tov work the political machine for their constituents? Why can’t this also be a Kiddush H-shem? Why can’t this also be in accordance with the Psak of Gedolei Torah? (In truth it is….one member of Tov told me that he had consulted with Gedolei Torah who approved of their work.)

In fact, the Shas party (of which Mayor Abutbul is a member) was founded at the request of Rav Shach. He felt that United Torah Judaism (Gimmel and Agudah) were not properly meeting the needs of Sephardic Bnai Torah and that they needed their own party. So why can’t American Chareidim and BalleBatim set up their own party that will deal with their specific needs?

Maybe Gimmel just doesn’t want to lose their political power? Is such a thing possible? Can the Gedolim who back Gimmel have been misled into believing that Gimmel really are “Shlichim Neemanim”, trustworthy messengers, who really are taking care of the entire spectrum of Bnai Torah, when they really are not?

I posit that indeed the Gedolim have been misled by individuals who are either crooks in black hats, or more likely, sincere people lacking Daas Torah, and yet believe they know, and only they know, the Emesse Derech, the true way.

Why do I say this and how can I say such a thing? What about Emunas Chachomim? How is possible that Gedolim can be misled and make mistakes? What about Gimmel doing a great job? We have schools and Shuls, no doubt the fruits of their labor.

So let’s start with the Why. Granted, there are schools in the community that resulted from the political efforts of Gimmel. However, the needs of the broader Chareidi community are not met by these schools. In fact, as far as I know, the Bais Yaackov here is super-selective about whom to accept and has spies informing the principal if a mother (cholilah) wears a hat (that covers all her hair) instead of a Shaitel…or if Cholilah, boys in the family go to Magen Avos, or if Cholilah, the father wears brown shoes and a blue shirt.

Furthermore, schools that were established to meet the needs of the broader community, like the Ko Tomar Bais Yaackov, were bullied into dropping the Bagruyot. You say big deal…I’ll explain….without Bagruyot, one cannot expect to enter a decent college in this country and then earn a high-paying salary (computer programmers out of a good colleges here, earn 20,000 NIS/month..a nice, clean, Parnosoh).

Bais Yackov girls are taught that it’s incumbent upon them to support their future husbands in Kollel…but without a Bagruyot, they are more or less condemned to being a gannenet (of which the market is saturated) or finding some other low-paying job...hence the perpetuation of poverty.

Who bullied Ko Tomar to drop the Bagruyot, which indeed appealed to a broad spectrum of the Chareidi kehilla...the people associated with Gimmel…who shall remain nameless here. If Tov had 5 seats on the council, I doubt that would have happened.

These are just examples…..for boys education…the situation is worse...and it would seem that Gimmel is not interested in helping American-style Chareidim...rather thwarting their power and ensuring that any crazy “American” concepts of Hishtadlus never see the light of day. (If only they would put their Nefesh HaChaim on the side for a second and look up the Chovos HaLevovos; Shaar HaBitachon for a “fresh” perspective on working for a living.)

Would the Gedolim endorse a party that worked for the good of the Moderate Chareidi kehillah? I believe they would. They know that not everyone is prepared to send their kids to Torah-only schools. Chinuch Atzmai is an example of this….maybe it was set up for Israelis, Russian and Moroccan Olim who otherwise would have sent to public school…but the point is that there are different strokes for different folks, and the Gedolim know this….so how can it be that Gimmel had a campaign, seemingly backed by the Gedolim, that smeared Tov as a Chilul H-Shem.

Here’s the how.
The Gemorah in Sanhedrim 101:b, recounts how Yerovam, before he revealed his true colors, tricked the Gedolim, even the Godol HaDor, Achiyah HaShiloni, into signing a letter that permited Avodah Zorah. With the letter in hand, he set up idols in Dan and BeisEl and caused Klal Yisrael to sin.

Generations later, Yehu, a Tzadik, was fooled by the this letter with Achiyah HaShiloni’s signature, and he continued to allow idols, based on this trickery.

Is the Gemorah saying Kefira…that the Gedolim can be fooled?

No. It’s just stating the truth…Gedolim are human and can be misinformed and tricked. If then, certainly now.

I ask you….do you really believe that the divisive smear campaign that came out of Gimmel was really endorsed by Rav Shteinman? I can’t believe it…and therefore, I do believe that Gimmel is a political party, run by very human people, who make mistakes, mislead Gedolim, and are capable of doing both good and evil here in RBS. Next election, before you vote…talk to your Rav….and see what he has to say…don’t bother reading the posters and fliers…get real Daas Torah…and if your Rav says vote Gimmel...so vote
Gimmel…but if he says you can vote Tov...even better