Rabbi calls for Independence Day boycott
Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe says he is willing to hand out free copies of his book to those who don't celebrate Independence Day
After calls by Yesha Council rabbis for the public to celebrate Independence Day despite the 2005 disengagement, one ultra-Orthodox rabbi has offered
a conflicting opinion.
Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe, a leader of the messianic branch of Chabad Lubavich, offered a discount on a book he wrote about the disengagement for every person who decides to not celebrate Independence Day.
Although Chabad has traditionally taken a more positive view of the Jewish state than other ultra-Orthodox groups, it has never ascribed any religious importance to Israel's national holiday. Now, Wolpe says Independence Day should not be marked in any way.
"It is an independence of self-destruction. We self-destructed, what kind of holiday is this?" he said.
Wolpe also indicated that he is willing to hand out free copies of his book to those who don't celebrate Independence Day.
Under the headline 'Big sale!! Free Book!!' a note read: "He whose eyes have been opened in light of the criminal plan of evictions from Gush Katif and the northern Samaria and the continuing destruction planned by the Olmert government in Judea and Samaria will not happen, and decided to not raise symbols of the government, is entitled for a free copy of the book 'Between Light and Darkness.'"
The bottom end of the announcement read that the book is on sale at a 40 percent. In his book Wolpe argues that establishment of the State of Israel contradicts the Torah and brings disaster to the people of Israel.
He rejected accusations of bribes. "I am not giving bribes. He who became conscious after the events in Gush Katif and northern Samaria, understands it is not a holiday, and can go in depth and study my book," he said.
"What did we get from establishing a state? It is an independence of self-destruction. We are celebrating the independence that earned us the capability to self-destruct. We are evacuating ourselves, which is what non-Jews do. Olmert's convergence plan is on the way. Every time the come out with a better name, they invent names and ignore what it is really about," he said.
