In a rare public statement, Rav Shmuel Betzalel, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, and head of the Shas Yeshiva Heads Committee on Maintaining the Status of the Torah World, issued a strong letter of support for Shas chairman Aryeh Deri following a series of leaked recordings broadcast over the past few days.
The recordings, aired on Channel 12, featured Rav Betzalel expressing opposition to the proposed draft law, saying, “I cannot come today and say not to make a law, but in truth, I pray there will be no law. It’s not a good law. Perhaps they should have forced them: a ben Torah without sanctions, without restrictions.”
The comments were seen as dramatic, since Shas has officially supported legislation to formalize the draft exemption with certain sanctions and limitations.
In his letter released Monday evening, Rav Betzalel defended Deri and clarified the process behind the draft discussions: “I hereby declare that everything related to the draft law is done solely with the consent of the Committee of Yeshiva Heads. And I testify that no external figure was involved in any of the decisions.”
He continued, acknowledging the law’s imperfections but defending the necessity of compromise: “We are aware of all the flaws in this law, but given the situation and the reality that has arisen, we must agree to the law. It is not the place here to detail all the reasons for this. I have seen libelous writings that scream of the baseness of their authors, testifying that there is no fear of G-d in their hearts, attacking a precious and G-d-fearing man, shlucha derabbanan, who has toiled for decades to spread Torah and yiras Shamayim. I do not know of another person in our generation or the one before it who has increased Torah and fear of Heaven through his great endeavors like Rav Aryeh Deri shlit”a.”
Rav Betzalel concluded sharply: “I was shocked by these wayward youths, devoid of Torah and fear of Heaven. Please desist from your actions and guard your souls. Beware of the attribute of judgment.”
The letter comes amid turmoil following recordings of the Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef, who was heard criticizing Shas leadership and Prime Minister Netanyahu over the same draft law, saying, “If my father were alive, none of this would be happening. He would bang on the table and tell Deri, ‘There will be no government in Israel; there will be elections.’” Rav Yosef went on to describe Netanyahu as “an atheist on a high level” and “a blind fox,” adding that “Maran did not like him at all.”
Also heard in the leaked recordings was Rav Moshe Maya, senior member of the Moetzes, declaring, “If they enter the government, I will immediately resign from the council. They won’t do it. I told them to go to elections. There will be no coalition.”
{Matzav.com}
