All members of the 'Moetzet' agreed: Asher will replace Carmel

The end of the saga of third place in Degel HaTorah: Members Council of Torah Sages of Degel Hatorah gathered today (Monday) at the home of Hagray"l Steinman at 5 Chazon Ish Street in Bnei Brak. Besides for Hgrm"tz Bergman who is currently abroad, HaGaon Auerbach who boycotted the conference, and Hagaon Adas - Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov who was unable to come due to personal reasons - all members of the Moetzet were present at the conference.

After it was clear to everyone that Menachem Carmel, 'Bar Kol' supermarket chain president, will not be placed at third place like last time, due to his connections with the 'Hapeles' newspaper and officials of the Yerushalmi sector, and following the orders of Reb Chaim Kanievsky that anyone attached to them 'You shall not be like Korach'. During the past month there were increased speculations, and nearly every local activist pushed his name into the Name Exchange-in case he wins.

However, the decision was made by Hagray"l Steinman. After consulting the members of the Moetzet, a final message was delivered: the third place in the list of 'Degel HaTorah, and seventh in Yahadut Hatorah, will be the Mayor of Bnei Brak - Yaakov Asher, who has won the respect of Torah Sages in the city, who consider him a loyal delegate, obedient and devoted.

It was also decided during the meeting of the Moetzet, as it was written on the decision document: Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah call out to each and every one to unite and assume responsibility like one person as one heart for the success of the Yahadut Hatorah list in the next election since important religious aspects are at stake."

The Moetzet also made clear again its views concerning the army: "Roshei Yeshivas should instruct their students called to report to the draft to appear on time and not sign by any means any document that has any obligation to the relevant subsequent recruitment ... Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah are following through other rabbinical personalities, the conduct of the military to not harm the dignity of Torah scholars."

Not giving up on Reb Lazer

What is happening behind the scenes of the decision?

This morning household members of Hagray"l Steinman, thought that the candidacy of Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin, chairman of Lev L'Achim, is the most serious candidate at hand. But then a distinguished delegation of Yad L'Achim came to the house at 5 Chazon Ish Street, who wanted to talk with Hagray"l Steinman. During the meeting they explained how important it is that the vertex will remain head of the organization and will continue his important activities.

Hagray"l did not answer and continued to debate without sharing his thoughts with the members of his household.

At 18:00 he left his room and told his grandson, Rabbi David Shapiro: "Call Yaakov Asher and tell him that he is the representative."

The grandson, taken aback, did as required by the grandfather.

Meanwhile, in conversation with members of his household, Hagray"l commented on Reb Itche Reich, Chairman of Agudath Yisrael Kindergarten Network, whose name was brought up in recent weeks for candidacy: "No one came to speak a bad word about Itche Reich."

As already reported, the consideration not to stop the activity of the kindergarten network was to Reich's disadvantage, concerning him not being elected.

As of midnight, all members of Moetzet confirmed the decisions. Hagaon Adas, who could not attend the meeting for personal reasons, later signed the document.

Even Hgrm"tz Bergman, who is currently abroad for the purpose of raising money for the Rashbi Kollel he heads, asked to send the letter to him to sign. Hgrm"tz is currently in flights between Argentina and the United States, but will sign the document immediately upon landing where he will receive the fax sent to the destination.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!