8 replies to this topic

[Chaim613]

Were the gedolim encouraging of people to vote? Being that this is election I was curious if they actually took time to vote themselves as well? do we know their party affiliations?

thank you

[Rabbi Shapiro]

In general, Gedolim often do encourage people to vote, but I am unaware of what party any individual was registered under.

[Menorah]

That is applicable in America (and elsewhere in Chutz L'aaretz.) In Eretz Yisroel it is a machlokes among the poskim whether to vote or not. Aguda rabbonim do encourage voting while Brisk and the Eida Hachareidis holds it is prohibited.

[Moderator #3]

Brisk doesn't vote but they don't hold it's prohibited; and it's not just Agudah but most everyone else except Edah and Brisk. (And that's also only in the global government elections. Local elections are not a problem to anyone.)

[Menorah]

(And that's also only in the global government elections. Local elections are not a problem to anyone.)

Really?? Satmar holds you can vote in local (i.e. Mayoral) elections? Do they do so as a practical matter?

[Rabbi Shapiro]

The Halachic prohibition that they hold exists does not apply to local elections, so yes, they hold you can vote in them.

[Menorah]

What is the halachic prohibition (that they hold of) that prohibits participating in national elections but permits local elections?

Also, how can Satmar (and others with similar shittas) use Israeli currency, or utilize Israeli State owned companies (such as electric, post offices, telephone [formerly state owned], bus transportation, airports, etc.)?

[Rabbi Shapiro]

They have no problem with using Israeli State-owned utilities. The problem is only being part of the government, and, by extension, enabling people to be part of the government. Which means voting.

The Halachic issues the Satmar Rebbe holds are involved are being part of the governance structure, and swearing allegiance to a Medinah, whose existence is prohibited due to a violation of Gezeiras HaGalus. That means Kefirah-Avodah Zorah. Enabling someone to do that is Lifnei Iver, besides a accepting Avodah Zorah.

All of this is limited to the State-level government, which is what is prohibited to exist. Electric companies or local townships are not a violation of the Golus, and so being part of their process or accepting them is not prohibited.

[matisyohu28]

In general, Gedolim often do encourage people to vote, but I am unaware of what party any individual was registered under.

 

I've often heard that that Rav Avigdor Miller z'l held ery much of voting for the republican party, one place I saw qouted him as saying it was in fact assur to be a democrat.