Yesterday, Lee Zeldin finally conceded to his opponent in the gubernatorial elections, having won only 47.2 percent of the vote to Hochul’s 52.8 percent. 94% of the districts have reported in as of Thursday evening. Many in the Jewish community are walking around a bit sour-faced. Perhaps they can be cheered up knowing that the Zeldin campaign may have resulted in having tilted the House of Representatives to a Republican majority. So many people who otherwise may not have voted ended up voting Republican on other tickets as well, and that may affect the direction of the nation.
Mr. Zeldin lost by 323,000 votes. Did the endorsement of Hochul by Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, the Skver Rebbe, and the Vizshnitzer Rebbe make Hochul win? No, not really. Their endorsements, however, influence a maximum of 10,000 votes. Today, the Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Aharon explained in a speech that he recommended to vote for Hochul because he believed that the Jewish community is too enamored with former President Trump, and that this was a grave error on the part of the Jewish community. The Rebbe then denounced the former president as not a rational individual and further labelled him beyond the pale of acceptability.
Perhaps never before in New York’s history have so many Rabbonim come out urging us to vote. Many, Jewish voters in Boro Park saw the lack of sufficient staffing as well as the long lines and did not end up voting. Many Rabbis hold that voting is actually an obligation, but it seems that it is more of a softer obligation – and the long lines would excuse one from it if it is too difficult.
Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, discusses the obligation to vote in an English letter, and finds the source of such an obligation in the notion of hakaras hatov—expressing our gratitude. In 1984, the JCRC approached Rav Moshe Feinstein about voting. He subsequently, a released a letter which stated:
“A fundamental principle of Judaism is hakaras hatov—recognizing benefits afforded us and giving expression to our appreciation. Therefore, it is incumbent on each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic system which guards the freedoms we enjoy. The most fundamental responsibility incumbent on each individual is to register and to vote. Therefore, I urge all members of the Jewish community to fulfill their obligations by registering as soon as possible, and by voting. By this, we can express our appreciation and contribute to the continued security of our community.”
The Steipler Gaon, zt’l, seems to view the obligation of voting as a means of fulfilling the need to rectify an urgent matter. He is cited in Orchos Rabbeinu (p. 141) that in Cheshvan of 5726 (November 1965) as even having permitted a mourner within the seven days of mourning to vote when the need is urgent.
The Slonimer Rebbe, zt’l (See Bais Yaakov Yerichon L’Inyanei Chinuch 027-028 p. 30) proposed an entirely different reason for the obligation. He writes that the obligation to vote stems from the obligation to respect the view of Gedolei Torah. The Vishnitzer Rebbe writes that the obligation to vote in Israel stems from the obligation to strengthen Torah (Michtevei Kodesh #238). That would apply to this past election too.
One should also vote in every election that effects such matters as well. It would also seem that it is worthwhile to investigate or to perhaps at least ask around as to which candidate would help support the Torah way of life most.
One question remains.
How will the loss of the affect us and our institutions?
So let’s go back to last September. The New York State Board of Regents had voted to require private schools to prove they are teaching English, math and other subjects or risk a loss of government funding and other services they provide – including bussing. The board of regents oversees New York state’s education department. The board of regents oversees New York state’s education department. But that which they voted upon also empowers the local school boards to make their own rules, although the implementation will be gradually introduced.
Will this affect our local yeshivos and day schools?
It can allow the board to, in the future – dictate curriculum, scheduling and times, and the use of specific textbooks. As it stands now, much of this is unaffected. Will they do so in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway? Well, the truth is that the vast majority of yeshivos and day schools here actually do far better than the public schools in the 5T/Far Rockaway community. So it would be a bit of chutzpah for them to tell us what to do. On the other hand, they may initiate such rules just to ensure that we not get the government funding. If they do that, they know that they will face some serious lawsuits because it would be using this legislation in a discriminatory manner. It is likely then that this won’t affect our schools.
What about Brooklyn schools and the Hudson Valley ones?
Some Brooklyn schools will likely upgrade their secular departments, but will do so on their own accord, and not admit that it was because of the legislation. Others will decidedly not do so. If there will be some serious changes made by the school boards – the yeshivos will balk. They will continue running the schools without that government funding. Creative people will create other areas where these institutions (or their avatars) can receive some other grants.
Will some lobbyists try to induce limitations and or addendums on how some of these rules are to be implemented through state legislation in Albany? Probably. So let’s stay tuned@
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Too few of us in the Orthodox Jewish community are ecstatic that we did not expect a hypocritical, fear-mongering, pandering election denier to govern this state.
Just as antiemites foment false fears against us with no credible evidence, Zeldin has done the same on crime (although he voted against multiple bills that would have addressed his purported concerns), and the Agudah and others have done so on education. If you go beyond the mailers and hand-wringing asifahs and blustering schmoozen about how “they” are forcing us to abandon our mesorah, if you look at the actual text of the regulations, there is nothing so scary or restrictive or controlling and oppressive as the Rabbonim would have us believe.