Leading Gedolim Release Letter that Thanks, Praises President, Just Before Election

By Yehudit Garmaise

  To express their appreciation and deepest gratitude for President Donald Trump’s declaration of that houses of worship and religious institutions should be considered “essential,” 13 grand rabbis and roshei yeshiva, in an unprecedented display of achdus in June, together drafted, signed, and sent a letter, which was just released in time for the presidential election

  The unprecedented coalition of rabbis, most of whom usually stay far removed from politics, who signed the letter in alphabetical order were: Rabbi Jacob Greenwald, the grand rabbi of Pupa, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, the rosh yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Rabbi Moshe L. Rabinowitz, the grand rabbi of Munkacs, Rabbi David Twersky, the grand rabbi of New Square, Rabbi Yisroel Hager, the grand rabbi of Vizhnitz, Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the grand rabbi of Satmar, Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky, the grand rabbi of Rachmistrivka, Rabbi Benzion Halberstam, the grand rabbi of Bobov, Rabbi Osdoba, of the Crown Heights Beit Din, Rabbi Zalman L. Teitelbaum, the grand rabbi of Satmar, and Rabbi Eli Dov Wachtfogel, the rosh yeshiva of Yehusia of South Fallsburg, NY.

 “You have given a powerful voice to what all good people know beyond any doubt: that now, more than ever, we must turn to the Almighty G-d, fortifying our faith and staying true to our values in the face of these current tribulations,” the signatories wrote.

 The rabbis then graciously expressed thanks that President Trump expresses “leadership that we need so urgently, standing up for the First Amendment religious rights, which is critical to help us weather the storm of the current pandemic.

   “You understand, Mr. President, that it is our faith in G-d that will keep us strong and lift us out of this calamity.”

    The chosheve rabbeim again thanked the president for “sending a clear and unequivocal message that the right to pray and study is non-negotiable,” and that religious life is as “indispensable to nourishing the soul…as food nourishes the body.”

 As Hashem rewards each of us “measure for measure,” the rabbis explained, “and that “we are recompensed according to the nature of our deeds,” the rabbis then bestow a powerful blessing on our president.

  “As you have strengthened America to proudly hold aloft the banner of G-d and religious belief, so too, may G-d Almighty bless you to proudly lead us to victory in our current wars with COVID-19.”

 The rabbis end their letter with prayers that ask Hashem that the president go “from strength to strength, leading us forward toward ever greater good, with personal blessings of health, prosperity, and the joy of your family and friends.

“May the King of all Kings defend him in his mercy, bring him joy and protect him for all dangers and distress,” the signatories wrote.  

  Before signing the letter, “Most Sincerely,” the rebbes wrote, “From those that pray for your success and seek your welfare.”

(Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)