Rightist rabbis, who have used halachic justifications to object to the Shalit prisoner swap deal in the works, are irresponsible, Chief Rabbi Rav Yona Metzger told Ynet today. Rabbi Metzger, who is scheduled to meet with Noam and Aviva Shalit tomorrow, argued that it is not possible to make an halachic ruling on the issue of the swap deal without being privy to all the details of the swap and the considerations behind it.
“As long as a rov or posek does not have all the information laid before him, including IDF and intelligence reports, it is not possible to take a decisive p’sak (on the issue),” Rabbi Metzger said. “Halacha must not be ruled upon based on reports from the Arab media.”
The chief rabbi noted that, according to Kabbalah, the 13 minutes between the hours of 1:43 pm and 1:56 pm on Thursday have unique qualities. He called upon the public to take advantage of this occasion to say Tehillim for Gilad’s rescue. “With the power of tefillah , we can open the heavens and be worthy of our heart’s wishes being granted – that Gilad will light the Chanukah menorah with his family.”
As part of their efforts to persuade cabinet ministers to support the deal, Noam and Aviva Shalit contacted senior rabbonim via the “Union of Torah Friends for Gilad” – the headquarters of the chareidi campaign for the release of their son – in order to hear their opinion on the matter. They also visited the home of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv in Meah Shearim.
Gilad’s parents are slated to meet tomorrow with Rabbi Metzger and Sefardic Chief Rabbi Rav Shlomo Amar.
{Ynet/Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
Did they actually visit Rav Elyashiv or just meet his gabbaim outside the rabbi’s room?
One of my students expressed the feeling that if here Shalit he would oppose makng a deal for his freedom. Why?? He said that there is no doubt that at least one of the hundreds of convicted murderers would attempt to kill again. If GD forbid they were successful and many poeple were lost or injured, how would he feel then knowing that this is part of the deal?? How would he be menachem avel those families?? The student said he would rather die than face a family who is sitiiing shiva because a released terrorist killed their family memeber. Intersting insight, no??
And what was Rav Elyashiv response. If it was it shouldn’t be done, do you think this will be reported ? No, only those who go along with the ruse are going to be mentioned as supporting the deal, and those who are against it are convienently not mentioned.
#3 –
What do you mean?
The article expressly stated that “rightist” rabbonim (or some?)oppose this swap. I don’t know who holds what, but this does seem to be
probably – at least probably – a dangerous action. There may be things that we do not know, however.
I was talking about the last two paragraphs of the article. Although I have what to say on the beginning part, when it comes to differences of opinion between rabbinim it always better not to say anything.
Rabbi Yona Metzger may be you are to left that you forgot the halach.you do not swap one for the other. these arabs will go and kill again, the natzis did the same thing grabbing people off the street and demand more people if not they will kill all people are you aloud to make an exchange rabbi yona metzger