Rabbi Yisroel Hager, the Vizhnitz Rebbe, gave instructions to reopen schools despite the ongoing lockdown and nationwide school closure.
The rabbi issued his orders during the afternoon Tish at the Vizhnitz world center in Bnei Brak, saying that Torah study was essential and arguing that if 30 people can get on a bus, then school should be allowed as well.
“I hereby order in the open that Vizhnitz schools be opened and that these words be published in the Hamodia newspaper tomorrow,” he said, “If the police come tell them to approach the general manager of the schools, which is me, Rabbi Yisroel Hager, who lives at 4 Torah Haim Street, Bnei Brak,” he added.
He later asserted that all regulations should be followed due to the dangers of COVID-19, and encouraged that everyone get vaccinated. However, he did not rescind his order to reopen the schools, “The words of the Rebbe come to express his pain, that other institutions are categorized as essential, and have continued their activities, while institutions committed to teaching Torah have been forced to close,” a statement said.
Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman jumped on the rabbi’s words, tweeting acerbically regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “Bibi’s master has gone crazy and we are all paying for it dearly.”
Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer called on the finance minister to cease funding for Vizhnitz educational institutions, following publication of the rabbi’s comments.
Netanyahu spoke personally with the Vizhnitz Rebbei before the latest lockdown to ask him to comply with the school closure, a request to which the rabbi initially consented.
Sources close to Rav Gershon Edelstein, said he was continuing to instruct school principals to keep their institutions closed due to the ongoing high rate of infection.
It was unclear what position Rav Chaim Kanievsky will take.
Public Security Minister Amir Ohana told KAN in response that any school that opens tomorrow would get shut down and fined NIS 5,000.
