We have seen Israel go to war, and at the same time that the front lines mobilized, the home front also mobilized, and the Haredi community has mostly been a big part of the home front mobilization. We see people from the Haredi community getting involved as much as anyone else - whether it is raising funds to buy equipment for the soldiers, whether it is donating for the various causes, grilling for the soldiers, bring soldiers food and equipment, tying tzitzis, visiting army bases and raising morale, helping the displaced people from southern Israel, tefilla and learning for the success of the soldiers and for the return of the hostages, and even with over 2000 Haredi men voluntarily signing up for army service.
While most of us have loved the spirit of all Israelis at this time, and of Jewish communities around the world, including the Haredi communities, as the saying goes in the yeshiva world, daas baaleibatim hefech daas torah - the wisdom of laymen is the opposite of the wisdom of daas torah. Rav Landau does not look at all that spirit and volunteerism and home front mobilization as a good thing.
Rav Landau published an open letter about this to the Haredi community today in the Yated Neeman. In the letter Rav Landau writes that all Torah learners and all Haredim should know that we only have torah learning and nothing else. Those involved in other activities who pretend that they are bringing salvation from the dangers around us should know they are causing damage to themselves, their children and to their families and to others.
A phrase that has been used a lot in other contexts over the past year applies here, as well. What was, will no longer be. I can only imagine that this letter is a result of the fear, or maybe just awareness, of that.
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