The Vishnitz Rebbe, Rav Menachem Mendel Hager Shlita, has put aside all criticism and instructs his chassidim to get out and vote on Tuesday, Election Day for 22nd Knesset, for Yahadut Hatorah for “this is a vote L’Shem Shomayim”.

After being outside of Israel for two electiosn, the Vishnitzer Rebbe calls on his chassidim, who represent a few hundred votes, to vote Gimmel in the election, to cast a ballot for Yahadut Hatorah.

During seudas shlishis this past Shabbos, in the main beis medrash, the Rebbe, who returned to Israel last Sunday following several weeks abroad to rest and raise money, spoke of the need for each and every chossid to get out and vote on Tuesday, Election Day for 22nd Knesset. The Rebbe spoke of the real danger facing chareidi Yiddishkheit, the yeshivos and the kollels; as those who hate Yiddishkheit and their allies will do whatever possible to prevent the spread of Yiddishkeit in Eretz Yisrael if elected. The Rebbe stated עת לעשות לה’ הפרו תורתך.

The Rebbe mentioned their disappointment with the behavior of Agudas Yisrael, explaining, “I know what is in your hearts regarding elections, but at this time, there is a responsibility and privilege to place all this aside and to vote for Agudas Yisrael by placing a ballot slip of Gimmel, Agudas Yisrael”.

“Although we do not have representatives in Agudas Yisrael, our voting is simply L’Shem Shomayim, without any personal interest” the Rebbe explained to chassidim. The Rebbe also called on chassidim to head to Yerushalayim on Sunday to participate in the large election rally on Bar Ilan Street in the capital, as the Rebbe himself is expected to be participating, seated on the dais along with Gedolei Yisrael.

BeChadrei Chareidim adds that sources in the chassidus explain that Agudas Yisrael has been hurting the chassidus, but chassidim are placing their egos aside and doing what is best for chareidi Yiddishkheit as per instructions from the Rebbe Shlita.

After the Rebbe’s address, which lasted about 25 minutes, during which he also attacked Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman, calling them “reshoim (wicked)”, an action committee was formed in the chassidus in the hope of getting everyone out to vote on Election Day.

Ironically, in recent days, chassidim have posted notices against the Hamodia newspaper for placing the Rebbe and his chassidim in cherem as they put it, not providing them a platform as done for others.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)