“I hereby express my Torah opinion that considering all that was stated, there is no impediment to their entering the government.”
Document of historic importance permitting the Poalei Agudat Yisrael movement to enter the government, against the decision of the Agudat Yisrael party and the Council of Torah Sages.
Under the headline, “Clarification of the Matter,” the chief rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank, wrote that people from Poalei Agudat Yisrael appeared before him and gave him details about their plan to join the government. “And they accepted upon themselves that in all matters of religion, they will act according to instruction and Torah Law.”
On July 17, 1960, three members of Poalei Agudat Yisrael joined the coalition. As a result of this, on August 9, the United Torah Front party split into its two constituent parts – Poalei Agudat Yisrael and Agudat Yisrael. This caused a crisis among religious Jewry and a representative of Poalei Agudat Yisrael was even personally excommunicated as one who flouted the instructions of the Council of Torah Sages. At the height of the struggle against him, he was humiliated in various ways, which brought about, according to what is told, negotiating joining together with the National Religious party, which ended with his sudden death.
[1] leaf official stationery as chief rabbi of Jerusalem. Signed and stamped by him. 20×27 cm.
* Letter encouraging joining the Poalei Agudat Yisrael initiative to arouse strengthening religion, Torah study, dissemination of Torah, and strengthening original Torah education.
The letter is signed by Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank and Rabbi Baruch Marcus (rabbi of Haifa). It is dated 4 Av, 1960 and was written in the midst of the days of turbulent struggle and division, and is certainly connected to the dispute.
* ‘Teshuvah L’Rabbim’ – letter from Rabbi Shraga Feivel Frank, nephew of Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank, confirming his uncle’s aforementioned letter.
Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank passed away in Kislev, 1960, just a few months after the rift between Agudat Yisrael and Poalei Agudat Yisrael, and just a few months after the aforementioned letter. In the meantime, there were questions and doubts raised about the veracity of the letter. Therefore, his nephew wrote that he attests that this is the handwriting of his uncle, Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank, adding “written in my presence and signed in my presence.”
Rabbi Chaim Shraga Feivel Frank (1908-1973) was rabbi of the Yemin Moshe neighborhood of Jerusalem.
* Especially lengthy letter written by Rabbi Ya’akov Yisrael Kanievsky [the Steipler] requesting and pleading that he retract the proclamation published in his name to remove members of Poalei Agudat Yisrael from society.
It is known that Rabbi Ya’akov Yisrael Kanievsky was among the leaders of the opposition to Poalei Agudat Yisrael, and until his last day he refused to cooperate with them. This letter is written very submissively, faced with the question as to whether he was given all the relevant details. The letter contains interesting details about this difficult affair.
A total of 4 important documents. Overall fine condition.
