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| R’ Yoel Teitelbaum (Wikipedia) |
Satmar Rebbe Provides Food For IDF Units: ‘No Soldier Should Stay Hungry’
A group of soldiers who are guarding the northern border were stuck this week without food for Shabbos. The soldiers, who are members of a unit formed from graduates of the charedi Netzach Yehuda battalion, prepared to travel to Tzfat to buy some supplies for Shabbos, but before they managed to, they received a special shipment from a very unusual source – Satmar chasidim.
I stand second to no one when it comes to condemning Satmar’s philosophy of demonizing Israel. A demonization articulated by R’ Yoel Teitelbaum, the original Satmar Rebbe. His rhetoric on that subject was so vile that he characterized a Gadol, R’ Avrohom Yitzchok Kook in terms used in the bible to describe Haman, the Hitler of that era. That was because of R’ Kook’s positive view of Zionism and becuase of his role as spiritual head of Religious Zionism.
The Satmar Rebbe never lost an opportunity to bash Israel. Often in the harshest possible terms. In 1967 when Israel won a war with the Arabs against incredible odds in six short days, most of the religious world saw the hand of God in that victory. Many examples of such miracles surfaced after the war. To deny God’s hand in Israel’s amazing victory would even seem to be blasphemous.
And yet that is exactly the way the Satmar Rebbe put it when he was asked about that victory. He said it was a Maseh Satan – the work of the devil. So opposed was he to the state.
That legacy has been carried forward by his successors to this very day. It is in fact the Satmar Rebbe’s philosophy that is used by the vile Neturei Karta for joining Palestinians in protesting Israel.
To be fair, Satmar has actually condemned Neturei Karta for doing this. But that does not mean they changed their had core rejection of Israel.
But this act of kindness makes me wonder if their position is softening. Maybe the unprecedented horrors of October 7th had an salutary effect on t least one of the 2 Satmar Rebbes. (Not sure which one.) Not that they will now accept the legitimacy of the state. There are 2 words that describe that likelihood: ‘pigs’ and ‘fly’.
The truth is that mainstream Charedim don’t accept the legitimacy of the state either. That is reflected in a number of ways. Such as never referring to this country as ‘Israel’ but as ‘Eretz Yisroel’. Never displaying an Israeli flag at any of their events. Refusing to recite any prayer authored by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate. Including the one praying for the safety of IDF soldiers. Which is especially significant now at a time the IDF is fighting for the very survival of - not only the state but the very lives of all of its 7 million Jewish residents.
Please do not misunderstand. The Charedi world does care deeply about the safety of these soldiers. They recite Tehilim (Psalms) multiple times daily. I also know that it pains their rabbinic leaders greatly when even one soldier is killed. The Charedi world even participates in Israel’s governance by way of running for their legislature (the Knesset). Occasionally even joining the governing coalition. But they still refuse to say the special prayer for the IDF because they refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the State.
(It’s true that seems to be hypocritical. But debating that issue is beyond the scope of this post.)
Which brings me back to Satmar. Is it possible that they have turned the page on vilifying the IDF the way their founding Rebbe did? Do they now hope for a victory over Hamas and will not call it ‘Maseh Satan’ the way their founder did about the miracle of 6 days war? This act of kindness certainly makes it seem that way.
I have no way of knowing what their attitude will be going forward. But this act of kindness gives me hope that they are moving in the right direction.