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Dec 8, 2020
Satmar Rebbe criticizes change in approach in frum America
In an event commemorating the rescue of the Satmar Rebbe from the clutches of the Nazis in 1944 (Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum made it out of Hungary on the "Kastner Train"), the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Teitelbaum, sharply criticized the frum community in the USA for getting heavily involved in the presidential election.
The Rebbe said, "Jews are drawn to US politics and have greatly breached the line between Yisrael and the nations. We need to understand that we’re in galus. We live here but we’re not Americans."
source: YWN
I can appreciate what he is saying. The frum Jewish approach to living in the Diaspora has always been one of recognizing ourselves as guests in a foreign country, there temporarily even if it is for generations. The American experience has been tremendously good for the Jews, and I hope it continues to be, and by now so many feel not like guests but like Americans and full members of American society. I am not saying that this is a bad thing, but it is definitely a change from the approach previously used.
The interesting aspect of this is that in the led up to the elections, the Satmar Rebbes themselves, both Rav Zalman and his brother Rav Aharon, signed a letter strongly supporting Donald Trump for Preisdent. In 2016 the Satmar Rebbe (Rav Aharon, not sure about Rav Zalman) came out publicly in support for Hillary Clinton.
Unless this is a moment of honest self reflection and self criticism, should he really be criticizing the frum community for its behavior when he himself did the same thing?
It could also be that he is positioning himself for political influence with the new administration - after the support given to Trump, saying this now might be walking it back somewhat and might look good publicly in the eyes of the incoming administration. Though this seems a little bit cynical.
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Labels:
Jews,
Satmar Rebbe,
USA
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Come on. Can you honestly not see the difference between voting for a specific candidate that you or your leader's feel will better serve your needs, to being an active part of the elections, such as taking part in rallies and hanging election material from your home?
ReplyDeletethere is definitely a difference between voting and between attending rallies. nobody said Jews shouldnt vote.
Deletethe difference between signing public letters of support and attending ralleis is not quite as distinct.
That's another mistake the international media made. The letter they signed had no word about the upcoming elections and whom one should support. All it was was a letter of thanks for the undisputable, unprecedented friend the President has been to the Orthodox community, and hope that he will continue to be. No word about the elections.
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