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Thursday, March 20, 2025
מכתב תשובה מהג""ר מלכיאל קוטלר שליט"א בענין WZO Elections
Overview of the Letter by Rabbi Malkiel Kotler on Voting for the WZO This document is a halachic response by Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler regarding participation in elections for the World Zionist Organization (WZO). The letter is a response to inquiries from prominent rabbis who sought clarity on the halachic permissibility of participating in WZO elections.
Key Points in the Letter: Historical Prohibition on Participation – Rabbi Kotler strongly reiterates the position of previous generations of great rabbinic leaders who strictly forbade any form of partnership with the Zionist movement. He references numerous Torah sources and rulings from previous gedolim (great rabbis) that classified such involvement as prohibited.
The Fundamental Issue of Zionism – The letter highlights that the Zionist ideology is built on nationalism divorced from Torah, which constitutes a form of heresy (kefirah). He argues that aligning with the WZO implies agreement with its core principles, which conflict with Torah values.
No Basis for a Change in Ruling – Some argue that circumstances have changed, making it permissible to engage with the WZO for practical benefits. However, Rabbi Kotler dismisses this argument, stating that the fundamental issues remain the same and that tradition (mesorah) cannot be altered without clear justification.
Halachic Concerns Beyond Zionism –
He draws comparisons to idolatry (avodah zarah), arguing that even outward participation (without true agreement) in a heretical movement is prohibited. He warns of Chillul Hashem (desecration of God's name), as public involvement by Torah-observant Jews could lead others to believe that Zionism is religiously acceptable. Distinction from Israeli Elections – Rabbi Kotler addresses an argument that since rabbis permitted participation in Israeli parliamentary elections, the same logic should apply to the WZO. He rejects this comparison, explaining that the Israeli government is a political reality that affects Jews' lives directly, whereas the WZO is an ideological movement fundamentally opposed to Torah.
Past Rabbinic Opposition – The letter cites the opposition of Rabbi Chaim Brisker, the Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman, and others, who firmly rejected cooperation with Zionist organizations due to their anti-Torah foundations.
Conclusion: Absolute Prohibition – Based on the unbroken tradition of rabbinic opposition to Zionist organizations, Rabbi Kotler rules that participation in WZO elections is absolutely forbidden. He calls on the Torah community to maintain the stance of previous generations and avoid any association with Zionist bodies.
Summary of the Ruling: Voting in WZO elections is strictly prohibited due to its anti-Torah ideology. Engaging with the WZO constitutes an implicit endorsement of Zionist beliefs, which are heretical. The stance of past gedolim is clear and unchanged, and participation remains forbidden. Unlike the Israeli Knesset elections, which are a political necessity, the WZO is an ideological organization, making cooperation unacceptable.
https://dialoguemagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Eretz-HaKodesh.pdf
ReplyDeleteOverview of the Letter by Rabbi Malkiel Kotler on Voting for the WZO
ReplyDeleteThis document is a halachic response by Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler regarding participation in elections for the World Zionist Organization (WZO). The letter is a response to inquiries from prominent rabbis who sought clarity on the halachic permissibility of participating in WZO elections.
Key Points in the Letter:
Historical Prohibition on Participation – Rabbi Kotler strongly reiterates the position of previous generations of great rabbinic leaders who strictly forbade any form of partnership with the Zionist movement. He references numerous Torah sources and rulings from previous gedolim (great rabbis) that classified such involvement as prohibited.
The Fundamental Issue of Zionism – The letter highlights that the Zionist ideology is built on nationalism divorced from Torah, which constitutes a form of heresy (kefirah). He argues that aligning with the WZO implies agreement with its core principles, which conflict with Torah values.
No Basis for a Change in Ruling – Some argue that circumstances have changed, making it permissible to engage with the WZO for practical benefits. However, Rabbi Kotler dismisses this argument, stating that the fundamental issues remain the same and that tradition (mesorah) cannot be altered without clear justification.
Halachic Concerns Beyond Zionism –
He draws comparisons to idolatry (avodah zarah), arguing that even outward participation (without true agreement) in a heretical movement is prohibited.
He warns of Chillul Hashem (desecration of God's name), as public involvement by Torah-observant Jews could lead others to believe that Zionism is religiously acceptable.
Distinction from Israeli Elections – Rabbi Kotler addresses an argument that since rabbis permitted participation in Israeli parliamentary elections, the same logic should apply to the WZO. He rejects this comparison, explaining that the Israeli government is a political reality that affects Jews' lives directly, whereas the WZO is an ideological movement fundamentally opposed to Torah.
Past Rabbinic Opposition – The letter cites the opposition of Rabbi Chaim Brisker, the Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman, and others, who firmly rejected cooperation with Zionist organizations due to their anti-Torah foundations.
Conclusion: Absolute Prohibition – Based on the unbroken tradition of rabbinic opposition to Zionist organizations, Rabbi Kotler rules that participation in WZO elections is absolutely forbidden. He calls on the Torah community to maintain the stance of previous generations and avoid any association with Zionist bodies.
Summary of the Ruling:
Voting in WZO elections is strictly prohibited due to its anti-Torah ideology.
Engaging with the WZO constitutes an implicit endorsement of Zionist beliefs, which are heretical.
The stance of past gedolim is clear and unchanged, and participation remains forbidden.
Unlike the Israeli Knesset elections, which are a political necessity, the WZO is an ideological organization, making cooperation unacceptable.
What I learned.
DeleteSupporting Corzine and Murphy (same sex "marriage" and assisted) mitzvas, joining a Zionist congress to fight reform assur
In a nutshell. & joining with the UJA too
Delete