Speaking during a lecture Friday in Jerusalem, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the
founder and spiritual leader of the Sefardi haredi Shas political party,
said if the Israeli government follows through with its plan to draft
yeshiva students into the military, haredim would have to leave Israel
en masse to avoid the draft and to allow the students to continue their
studies in yeshivas outside the country, the Israeli daily Maariv reported.
“The Torah is in danger! How will they be Torah scholars if they are drafted into the army?
“We
will – God forbid! – have to leave the Land, to travel to outside the
Land of Israel, in order to ensure that the yeshiva students will be
free to study! We are in great sorrow and in grave danger!
“This
is the time for each and every person to commit to vote for the parties
that support the Torah. There is a terrible edict hanging over our
heads, God forbid.
“But we would have no choice but to leave the
Land of Israel in order to ensure that the yeshiva students are not
forced to fight. We are surrounded by enemies and haters, but for these
evil ones who hate Torah, it doesn’t matter. All they are interested in
is punishing us and decreeing harsh and evil decrees against us –
[against] the haredi yeshiva students!
“This is a terrible edict!
We are in great sorrow! Who can tolerate such a thing for our yeshiva
students to be drafted into the army instead of learning Torah and
becoming strong in Torah?
“Therefore, people, do not be silent!
“I cannot sleep from this. I have great agitation over this matter. We are in great danger.
“Understand
this situation well. These [the High Court of Justice and all Israelis,
including political leaders, who want to draft haredim] are men who do
not know and do not understand. They walk in darkness. They don’t know
what Torah is,” Yosef reportedly said.
For those Israelis –
especially for Shas’ core constituency of non-Orthodox-but-traditional
Sefardim – who plan on voting for non-Haredi political parties, Yosef
also had words, in this case, a sharp warning.
“They must be
aware of the Judgment Day! What will they answer God on that day? God
will tell them that they forsook the Torah and left it in the hands of
evildoers. May God upset the plans of our enemies,” Yosef reportedly
said.
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2013/01/haredim-will-have-to-flee-israel-if-yeshiva-students-drafted-rabbi-ovadia-yosef-says-123.html
Sunday 6 January 2013
Haredim Will Have To Flee Israel If Yeshiva Students Drafted, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Says
Posted @ 15:11
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