While some accuse Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita of being too friendly with the Zionists for his position praising IDF soldiers, the rav remains steadfast and once again reiterated his position regarding IDF soldiers during recent days.

The rav explained last week that “Even the chilonim, those who do not adhere to Torah and mitzvos but are moser nefesh towards saving others through their love for others, they too have a share in Olam Haba just like the martyrs of Lod who gave their lives for the city”, Kikar Shabbat quotes the rav as saying.

“In Lod a bas melech was killed and they looked in the direction of the Jews. There was a gezeira that if the murderer was not found all the Jews would be executed. Two brothers admitted to the murder which they did not commit to save the Jews of the city and Chazal say that no one can stand in the mechitza of the martyrs of Lod.

After the rav’s words were publicized, the ‘kanoim’, those opposed to the rav serving in his current position, began to make their opinion known. Talmidim affiliated with the Eida Chareidis asked for an explanation, seeking to understand the rav’s position. The rav addressed the matter at hand with his closest talmidim, telling them that the kanoim may be compared to those who regularly mock gedolei yisrael.

A participant in the schmooze is quoted anonymously by Kikar Shabbat, explaining the rav added that his words are not his own, but the position of gedolei yisrael shlita. The rav reminded participants how the Chazon Ish would tell talmidim one may not hate the chilonim but one may however hate the act, not the person. We are required to rebuke them he explained, but since today we do not know how this is done, we refrain from this too.

“The Chazon Ish and the Steipler said we should vote in elections and therefore, they are mocking the Chazon Ish and the Steipler. From this we learn they are not genuine and not acting L’Shem Shomayim”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)