To the surprise and disappointment of many, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita did not address this week’s upcoming national elections for 20th Knesset. The gadol hador addressed a large crowd in Jerusalem’s Arena Stadium for the kenos on Sunday night 24 Adar. Most participants were confident that in addition to the chizuk and divrei Torah, Rav Auerbach would give instructions as to the elections. There appears to be a machlokes among rabbonim affiliated with the Bnei Torah and its Yerushalmi faction, with some calling for a boycott of elections, which is believed to be the position held by Rav Auerbach.

Kikar Shabbos reports on Monday 25 Adar that an unidentified person who is involved in the matter at hand instructs the tzibur to vote for Shas, adding Shas has agreed to reach agreement to satisfy Rav Auerbach and his rabbonim.

However there are askanim who announce followers of the rav should boycott elections or place a white slip in protest but not to vote. They warn that since Shas has a surplus votes agreement with Yahadut Hatorah, voting Shas may indeed strengthen Yahadut Hatorah and therefore one may not vote for Shas.

Thousands of followers of Rav Auerbach are expected to vote Yachad, the party headed by Eli Yishai.

And finally there are reports that Rav Auerbach is under enormous pressure to announce clear instructions to followers ahead of elections, which are scheduled for Tuesday, 26 Adar.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)