Bidspirit auction | A Powerful Letter from the

A Powerful Letter from the Noam Eliezer of Skulen – Against Agudas Yisroel's Participation in the Knesset HaMinim A remarkable autograph letter entirely in the holy hand of Maran Hagaon HaKadosh Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal of Skulen , author of Noam Eliezer . Written on Wednesday, Parshas Va'eschanan , 1964, to Rabbi Y. M. Levin , leader of Agudas Yisroel , expressing his firm opposition to Agudas Yisroel's continued participation in the Knesset HaMinim . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Contents of the Letter At the beginning of the letter, the Rebbe refers to his earlier letter addressed to the members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (later published in VeHaEmes Ed La'Atzmo ), in which he had already expressed his opposition to participation in the Knesset. In his great humility, he explains that he fears some may suspect his position stems from political considerations. He therefore recounts his longstanding efforts on behalf of Agudas Yisroel in several countries before the war, demonstrating that his position is rooted solely in Torah (see Vayoel Moshe , Maamar Shalosh Shevuos , siman 142). The Rebbe then sets forth his Torah view, founded upon the words of Chazal, regarding the severity of joining with the Zionists. He writes that participation constitutes recognition of kefirah and minus , is a chilul Hashem , and distorts the Torah. He expresses profound sorrow that the Agudah of his day had departed from the principles established by its founders, abandoning the path of the Chafetz Chaim , who warned against hischabrus la'resha'im. Although renowned for his boundless love of every Jew, the Rebbe expresses his anguish in unusually sharp language: ”It is impossible that even the kosher members of the Knesset should not absorb some trace of its foul atmosphere into their hearts. And if they no longer sense it, that itself is a frightening sign—that the foreign influence has become so deeply absorbed within them that they are no longer aware of it. Let our friends not take offense that I suspect them of this, for their complaint is not against me, but against Chazal, who taught that one who enters such a place inevitably absorbs its foul odor and carries it away with him. The words of Chazal are certainly true. It is impossible to enter such a place without some foreign thought, some taint, some ספקות, chalilah, finding its way into a person's heart. וד”ל.” He concludes with the hope that his words will make an impression: ”I believe with complete emunah in the Ribbono Shel Olam that our brethren will accomplish far more by remaining outside the Knesset—outside this gathering of the resha'im. Then we will be able to cry out before the entire world against their efforts to undermine the walls of our holy religion, and they themselves will fear all the more when they see that Torah-true Jewry has openly declared that we do not recognize them. Then there will be a true Kiddush Hashem, demonstrating that the Torah is our very life. We are not content merely to sit in the opposition; rather, we do not recognize at all the authority of a government of those who deny the Torah —even were they to build for us Pisom and Raamses. Then, with certainty, there will be Siyata DiShmaya, and the posuk will be fulfilled: 'Yavesh chatzir, navel tzitz, u'Devar Elokeinu yakum l'olam.'” He concludes: ”With blessings for the eternal Torah, and for the true Geulah and Yeshuah, במהרה בימינו אמן.” Signed: ”Ohevo v'Yedido Uzo, HaKatan Eliezer Zusia ben Hagaon HaTzaddik Rabbi Yisrael Avraham z”l Portugal” A landmark public letter of the Noam Eliezer of Skulen, presenting his unequivocal Torah position against participation in the Knesset, expressed with unusual force and clarity in his own ksav yad.