Seeking to prevent Israeli school children from being ‘brainwashed’, Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz is proposing a bill that will make it illegal for Chabad Shluchim to set up a tefillin stand outside a school or any educational institution. While it is clear to all that the pro-secularist MK is targeting the Chabad shluchim who are moser nefesh around Eretz Yisrael [and the world], seeking to bring the mitzvah of tefillin to the many that would otherwise not merit it. Horowitz explains his bill is directed against all religion peddling, including Jews, Buddhists or other religions.
Seeking support for his anti-Torah position, Horowitz sent a draft of his bill to the ultra-secular Ramat Aviv Action Committee, which is engaged in an ongoing war with local Chabad shluchim, seeking to distance their message of yiddishkeit form their neighborhood.
In his letter to the Ramat Aviv secularists, Horowitz states that while the activities of such people are by and large within the framework of the law, many find them most objectionable. He feels that once such actions are directed at minors, without their parents’ consent, the actions of such individuals are no longer legitimate.
He acknowledges the pain and suffering of the action committee members, who have been waging their battle for the past year against the Chabad shluchim who set up a tefillin booth weekly outside the Alliance School, pointing out that not only do they seek to get youths to put on tefillin, but they also try to persuade them with other educational materials intended to bring them back to religious observance.
This he explains and other cases prompted him to push for legislation that will make it illegal to peddle religion outside of schools. His bill was submitted last week, and he hopes to enlist enough support in Knesset to ban religious booths in proximity to schools.
Chabad spokesman Rabbi Menachem Brod stated perhaps one should present a bill opposing this sad and absurd bill, pointing out that ironically, Horowitz was a journalist and “fought like a lion” regarding freedom of expression. Now, he is doing just the opposite, with tenacity, seeking to stifle the voice of free choice that seeks to provide people with an opportunity to become acquainted with their heritage.
this is nothing new. every few years meretz brings up this bill again and it always gets shot down last time it was to ban tefillin booths in all public places b/c they can target minors and if your under 18 you need your parents permision to put on teffilin
this might bring some fire into the hearts of Chabadnikim to rebel against this absurd bill. And it might add the allure of the “forbidden” to the practice, enough to attract “rebellious” youth 🙂
They seem to think we are as dangerous as drug dealers…well…that carries its advantages.
Trying to create a society that is only secular and teaches only secular is a form of brainwashing. “It is Kefiya Ani Datit”.
they will have the excitement that was evident in communist russia
At the same time he should sponsor a bill to PUNISHES Missionaries who are destroying our children.
i totally disagree..if they don’t have it outside of their schools where will they find it? kids come out of school everyday so having Chabadniks right there to influence them the minute they step outside has a huge effect.
in fact one of my friends became frum because a Chabad shliach would come to her CAMPUS and did things on the high school campus to scope out the Jewish kids and educate them
🙂
I would say that passing this bill would ultimately be a good thing. Kids, in their nature like to discover what they are told not to- in other words “rebel”. if Chabad becomes this “rebel” organization that the government deems dangerous, i think kids will be more drawn to discover it a try it out…
Ya,my head is also in the sand, wow, shows how influential Chabad has become that they seek to make a bill against it…just like they did to Kach…
It just shows how influential Chabad has become that they seek to make a bill against it.