It is heartening to see that every Jew—regardless of where they live or which community they belong to—feels the pain of a fellow Jew who is hurt or suffering, and instinctively looks for ways to help.
For this reason, when the families in Arad were left with nothing after the disaster and received no immediate assistance, it became the responsibility of the broader public to step in and support them in every possible way.
Yet when it comes to Arad, the Gur Hasidim have turned the situation into a major fundraising opportunity, collecting millions. They established a committee and a foundation and are now calling on the public to donate.
But for what purpose exactly?
Even if money is needed before government compensation arrives, are the Gur institutions truly unable to lend the necessary funds temporarily? Of course they can. But this is not about loans. They are capitalizing on a tragedy, knowing that many people will donate out of compassion—despite the fact that a significant portion of the money may ultimately end up elsewhere.
In Bnei Brak, the government will only compensate for buildings that were legally constructed. Where illegal additions—rooms, balconies, and other structures built without permits—were damaged, there will be no government reimbursement. Those areas will need to be rebuilt privately.
According to government policy, war-related damages and injuries are compensated generously, as these individuals are considered war victims. These payments are substantial. The question is why the public is being asked to contribute millions when official compensation is already part of the process?
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