Feed aggregator

The Stoliner Rebbe sharply denounced the recent unrest in Bnei Brak, expressing deep anguish over the violence and particularly over reports that tefillin and a siddur were burned during the disturbances.

Speaking to his chassidim in a special address marking Rosh Chodesh Adar, the Rebbe addressed the events that took place in the city.

“We all heard with shock what happened two days ago in Bnei Brak. To our shame, these riots have become somewhat of a norm, and this is something terrible,” the Rebbe said.

He acknowledged the strain facing many in the chareidi community but stressed that hardship does not justify lawlessness.

“It is true that we are in a very difficult situation, many in the chareidi public are going through a challenging period and do not know how this will be resolved. But none of this justifies behaving in a wild and reckless manner.”

The Rebbe emphasized that throughout Jewish history, even in times of suffering, there was never any license to violate halacha.

“Throughout the generations we endured troubles and difficult times, and we never found any permission to act against clear halacha, against the Shulchan Aruch. It is forbidden to cause damage, it is forbidden to burn. We have the Torah and we have halacha above all. It is absolutely forbidden to harm others or damage property. Not garbage bins and not other objects — these are clear matters. How did we deteriorate to this point? Who permitted this?”

He also criticized the blocking of roads during the protests, pointing out the potential danger and hardship such actions can cause.

“And it is not only forbidden to cause damage — what permission is there to block roads and prevent the public from reaching their destinations, including cases involving danger to life, and causing distress to many? What has happened to us? Does this help anyone? It certainly does not add to ahavas Yisrael. This only harms and injures our own community. We are the ones who suffer from this without having done anything wrong.”

The Rebbe said the most disturbing aspect of the events was the reported burning of tashmishei kedusha.

“And what should shake all of us is that tefillin and a siddur were burned. Heaven forbid. If this had happened elsewhere, the entire Jewish world would be outraged and horrified. How did we reach such a dreadful situation that tefillin and a holy siddur were burned by Jewish hands? Where is our Jewish feeling? How low have we fallen? Have we completely lost our minds?!”

He concluded by calling for introspection and change.

“This decline must be stopped. We must conduct a serious accounting of the soul, correct what is required of us, and act according to the will of the Creator, may He be blessed — in all your ways know Him.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli security forces have detained four ISIS–affiliated terrorists in a pair of coordinated raids in the West Bank city of Yericho. In a joint statement, the IDF and Israel Police said troops from the Lions of the Valley Battalion arrested three members of the cell last week. A fourth suspect was captured in a separate […]

Knesset Member Michael Malkieli sharply criticized police conduct following the recent riots in Bnei Brak, accusing law enforcement of excessive force and staging what he described as a public relations display.

In an interview on an Israeli news broadcast, Malkieli addressed the violence that erupted in the city, stressing that the position of gedolei Yisrael is unequivocal. “Gedolei Yisrael, the roshei yeshiva, issued very, very clear letters that our path is not one of violence — certainly not to burn things and not to go out to uncontrolled protests — and we condemn every type of violence,” he said. At the same time, he argued that this condemnation does not justify what he characterized as harsh police behavior.

Malkieli recounted that even before police forces entered Bnei Brak, residents had contacted him expressing concern about how officers would act. “People called and said, look, we have experience with the Israel Police, and it’s clear to us that now the police will want to put on a show,” he said. According to Malkieli, the police response was disproportionate. “It cannot be that they come and beat people who are not connected, take people into custody who are not connected to the incident.” He added that he has submitted a parliamentary motion and intends to demand explanations. “I expect the police to restore order, but they behaved there in a brutal manner.”

Addressing claims of selective enforcement, Malkieli reinforced his criticism. “Absolutely. Not only selective enforcement — there is a show here that the Israel Police put on for television to show that it is also doing something.”

Turning to developments surrounding the draft law, Malkieli said that gedolei Yisrael instructed representatives to continue negotiations rather than sever dialogue. “The instruction was unequivocal to do everything,” he said, describing ongoing cooperation with the committee chairman and legal advisers. He maintained that there is no political barrier to passing the legislation if an agreed-upon text is finalized. “The Prime Minister, the coalition chairman, say — when there is a version acceptable to you, it will have 61 fingers in the Knesset.” Still, he acknowledged the process has been marked by frustration and setbacks.

Malkieli also voiced serious concern about High Court involvement in matters relating to the Kosel. He argued that even when the Knesset enacts legislation, judicial intervention remains unpredictable. “We already don’t know, once there is legislation, what the court will do with that legislation. We have already seen very major laws in the Knesset that the court struck and put into storage.” In his view, this reflects a broader pattern of interference in sensitive issues.

As another example, he cited the authority of rabbinical courts. “The court stripped them of the authority, in an arbitrary, crude and inconsiderate manner, to adjudicate monetary cases.” He noted that a bill to expand those powers has advanced in the Constitution Committee but cautioned, “You don’t know what the High Court will do, you have no idea.” He described the situation as marked by “arrogance” and as undermining the dignity of Israel’s dayanim.

On the issue of funding for chareidi educational institutions following a conditional order from the High Court, Malkieli again attacked what he sees as judicial overreach. “The High Court behaves like the last member of the opposition in a Knesset committee,” he said. He emphasized that these schools serve tax-paying citizens. “Are we second-class citizens? Are we residents here? Where did we come from?” He concluded with a broader critique: “We were taught that the people are sovereign. The court was not taught that.”

{Matzav.com}