By all accounts, Yad L’Achim could use the money but a recent check in the amount of NIS 21,502 made out to the anti-missionary organization from Keren L’Pituach Netzarim (Netzarim Development Fund) was rejected. The fund represents former residents of the Gaza Jewish community of Netzarim but Yad L’Achim explains that the money was given to the Netzarim fund by missionaries, who felt a need to identify with their plight after being expelled from their homes and communities.
It appears the Netzarim fund was unwilling to accept the money too, acting on the ruling of their rav, Rabbi Yaakov Lanzer, who announced his p’sak halacha, leading to the decision that the money from a missionary source may not be used, prompting the decision to forward it to Yad L’Achim, which is at the forefront of anti-missionary activities in Eretz Yisrael.
Despite the obvious difficult financial realities today, Yad L’Achim’s Rav Shlomo Dov Lifshitz gave his p’sak, that the money may not be accepted.
Rav Lifshitz used the incident to call on all organizations and institutions to follow the brave example of the Netzarim Fund, realizing missionary money may not be used at any time and for any purpose. He added such funds may not be accepted directly or indirectly. Rav Lifshitz explained that doing so is a tremendous chilul Hashem.
The rav stated his decision is not part of the war against missionaries, but quoted a Gemara (Baba Basra 10 amud bes). Rav Lifshitz went into a long explanation, connected to Purim as well. His point was that the money is prohibited and despite putting it to good use, even to combat missionaries, the money may not be accepted for any use whatsoever, commending the Netzarim Fund’s courage during this financially difficult period.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
mamesh like the brisker rov – if the money’s dirty, it cannot be accepted! it’ll give(as the kav hayasher says) koach to the soton/yater horah – all the mitzvos they would do with that money will go into the hands of the sitra achra r”l. I hope no ‘liberal’ morons protest the rov’s psak