Rav David Lau: I am Not Chareidi

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photo credit: Wikipedia
(This an old artice from 2013)

Modi’in Chief Rabbi David Lau, a contender to become the next Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, insists he is not chareidi. In an interview in Olam Katan, Rav Lau explains that “unlike all the others, I am not affiliated with any sector. I belong to everyone. Enough with the sectarianism. We all share the 13 Principles of Faith of the Rambam. We all share the desire to spread Judaism.”

The rav explains he has never hired the services of a public relations office and has not interviewed in the media in this campaign. It should be noted that the rav has yet to officially announce his candidacy.

Rabbi Lau points out the absolute necessity to become the rav of all of Am Yisrael, which includes all populations. He thinks his example as rav of Modi’in speaks for itself, for the vast majority of residents are non observant. About a quarter are dati leumi.

Do You Recite Hallel on Independence Day?

When asked about reciting Hallel on Independence Day, Rav Lau stated that every year after Maariv he runs to the central stage in the city and moments before the evening program gets underway; he recites the prayer for the welfare of the state and a short message citing the significance of the day. “Afterwards we all sing Hatikvah and only then to the evening’s events get underway.”

Regarding Hallel, the rav explains he complies with the ruling of the Chief Rabbinate and recites the entire Hallel with a bracha.

What Do You Have to Say on the Sharing the Burden Issue?

It has become a political issue. This is a country in which experts turn substantive discussions into debates of merits of people. We only hurt ourselves. Instead of dialogue towards settling disputes we have turned to one-sided decisions and dictating actions. Jews who believe know the value of Torah and one engaged in Torah must continue. One who is not must come out and participate with all the others.

“I am opposed to the phrase sharing the burden, for this is not a burden. Chazal teach us that from 1,000 entering a beis medrash one emerges a teacher. That means to say is we want to have 30 rabbis, we must have 30,000 studying Torah.”

So for one like yourself, who does not spend on public relations, how have you become so popular?

Leave it to the wisdom of voters to discern – to detect the difference between priority issues and secondary matters.

All credit goes to YWN

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