Rabbi Rafael Wolf, who was a close associate, confidant, and right‑hand man of Maran Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l — and a partner in the historic moments surrounding the founding of Degel HaTorah — delivered sharp criticism over the ousting of veteran Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev.
In an interview with Natan Mashi and Avi Gadolovitz on the program “One in the Afternoon” on Kol Barama, Rabbi Wolf said he is “shocked” by the move, especially by the attempt to justify it as a need to “refresh” the ranks.
“Can you explain to me why they were dismissed?
What does ‘refreshing’ mean?
Where is there a new mitzvah in the Torah about refreshing?” he wondered.
“Do roshei yeshiva send people out in order to refresh the yeshiva?
Do rabbis send people out to refresh the rabbinate? This is a new mitzvah. Such a thing never existed in Judaism at all.”
Political Context Behind Rabbi Rafael Wolf’s Criticism
1. Degel HaTorah’s Internal Shake‑Up
Degel HaTorah — the Lithuanian faction within the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance — recently removed two of its most senior and long‑serving MKs: Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev. Both have been central figures for decades:Gafni chaired the Knesset Finance Committee for many years. Maklev was a key parliamentary operator and coalition negotiator. Their removal represents a major generational and strategic shift inside the party.
2. Why This Is Causing Turmoil
In the Lithuanian Charedi world, political leadership is traditionally stable and guided by senior rabbinic authorities. Sudden changes — especially involving veteran figures — are rare and often interpreted as signs of deeper ideological or leadership struggles.
Rabbi Wolf’s comments reflect: Shock at the break from tradition, Suspicion toward the justification of “refreshing the ranks”, and concern that the move lacks precedent in Torah‑guided leadership norms
His rhetorical question — “Where is there a mitzvah of refreshing?” — expresses the belief that political decisions should be rooted in continuity and rabbinic guidance, not managerial language.
3. The Broader Power Struggle
The shake‑up appears connected to: Internal rabbinic disagreements within the Lithuanian leadership Younger political figures seeking influence, Pressure to modernize party structures and finally Tensions between Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisrael (its Hasidic partner in UTJ)
These dynamics have been building for years, especially as:The older generation of gedolim has passed on, New rabbinic authorities are asserting different priorities and Younger activists want more representation
4. Why Gafni and Maklev’s Removal Is Symbolic
Their ousting signals:A shift away from the old guard, A possible redefinition of Degel HaTorah’s identity,A struggle over who speaks for the Lithuanian community, and A move that could reshape UTJ’s future coalition behavior
For many in the Charedi world, this is not just political — it’s a question of continuity of Torah leadership, which is why Rabbi Wolf frames it in religious terms.
5. What Happens Next
Without predicting outcomes: Degel HaTorah may be entering a new era of leadership, UTJ’s internal balance could shift, The party’s negotiating style in future coalitions may change, Veteran voters may feel unsettled, while younger voters may welcome change
בריאיון לנתן משי ואבי גדלוביץ' בתוכנית "אחת בצהריים" ב"קול ברמה", אמר הרב וולף כי הוא "המום" מהמהלך, ובעיקר מהניסיון להסביר אותו בצורך ב"רענון" השורות.
"אתה יכול להסביר לי למה הדיחו אותם? מה זה רענון? איפה יש מצווה חדשה בתורה של רענון?", תהה. "ראשי ישיבות שולחים אותם כדי לרענן את הישיבה? רבנים שולחים אותם כדי לרענן את הרבנות? זו מצווה חדשה. לא היה בכלל ביהדות כזה דבר".
There's an interesting form of dementia in some elderly people.
ReplyDeleteWe miss it for years because it's hidden.
Basically these older people have lived the same life in the same place with the same schedule for decades. They continue to function because they are essentially on cruise control. They have food in the fridge because going to the store is on the schedule. They attend church because that's on the schedule. They can even take the bus because they know how many stops so they get off at the right place.
Until the day they miss the stop and wind up wandering for hours until someone realizes they're missing and goes looking for them.
Most of "The Gedolim"(tm) have lived the same life in the same place with the same schedule for decades.
And I'll just leave it at that.
So they have dementia. Aha! Ever tried talking to them? They would destroy you, an am ha'aretz and blowhard fool, in seconds...
DeleteThe question is, talking to them about *what*.
Delete