Footage circulated on Monday on social media has reignited the public debate over the conscription of charedim into the Israeli army and sparked anger among reservists.
In the video, published on the charedi channel “HaPargod”, the head of the Orayta Yeshiva, Rabbi David Shaffer, is seen raising a glass in a “L’chaim” toast at Ben Gurion Airport after successfully putting about 90 yeshiva students on a flight for the traditional trip to the tomb of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk in Poland for his Yahrzeit during the ongoing war.
Following the publication, criticism erupted on social media. Dozens of users, including reservists, strongly criticized both the trip itself and its timing during wartime, arguing that it highlights the sense of inequality in the burden between those serving in the military and parts of the public who do not participate in the fighting.
Bereaved mother Lily Dery responded by posting Rabbi Elimelech’s prayer “Aderaba”, which includes the line:“And let no hatred arise from one person toward another, Heaven forbid,” adding the comment: “Those who understand will understand.”
Communications adviser Dvir Luzon, who is currently serving in the reserves, wrote:
“I was called up to reserve duty. I left at home a wife who is still recovering from childbirth and a one-month-old baby, and I have no idea when I’ll see them again.”
He added: “But the main thing is that Rabbi David Shefer flew 90 guys abroad for a vacation. While we’re suffocating from longing and our wives are collapsing alone, there are those living in a movie and hanging out in duty-free. It’s a spit in the face of every reservist. Simply disgraceful.”
Comedian Matan Tzur also reacted to the publication, writing:“This fracture, one that parts of the charedi sector are creating with their own hands, I don’t know how we will fix it.”
הפרגוד: ראש ישיבת "אורייתא" הרב דוד שפר שותה לחיים בשדה התעופה על שהצליח להעלות לטיסה 90 בחורים לנסיעה המסורתית לליזענסק כמידי שנה למרות המלחמה. pic.twitter.com/DrDJd4BorG
— הפרגוד (@moshepargod) March 9, 2026
ReplyDeleteThe issue here is not whether people wish to visit the kever of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk on his yahrzeit. That is a long-standing chassidic custom.
The question is judgment and sensitivity.
At a time when Israel is at war and families are burying sons who died in uniform, watching a video of a rabbi celebrating with a L’chaim at the airport after successfully sending about 90 yeshiva students abroad inevitably strikes many people as deeply insensitive.
Leadership carries responsibility not only for halachic decisions, but also for understanding how actions will be perceived by the broader public. When bereaved military families are mourning their children, public displays of celebration connected to avoiding the wartime reality can appear callous, even if that was not the intent.
This is not about opposing Torah study or pilgrimage. It is about basic decency and awareness of the emotional moment the country is going through. A leader should think through how his actions will affect others — especially those who have paid the highest price.
Simply another reminder that some in this community will keep doing what they want to and expect the rest of society to support them and they don't give a damn about how others are suffering.
ReplyDelete