'Religious girls shouldn't strike'
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
'Girls must not miss Torah studies during teachers' strike'
Rabbi says Torah study 'is unique spiritual nourishment for the human soul,' and those who do not consume it daily will 'suffer irreversible psychological damage'
"Each day that girls go idle and do not study the Torah causes them irreversible psychological damage. Appropriate facilities where they can study the Torah during the strike must be found," said Ramat Gan's Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, a veteran rabbi from the Religious Zionist community, when relating to girls missing their Torah studies during the ongoing teachers' strike.
According to Ariel, such studies serve as "unique nourishment for the human soul" despite girls being exempt from Torah studies as a mitzvah.
In an article set to be published in the religious woman's publication "Argaman" to be distributed throughout synagogues on Friday, the rabbi called on religious teachers to consult with rabbis before joining such a strike.
Moreover, he hinted at his objection to the teachers' strike, "which causes irreversible damage to others".
"Only Torah studies will enable young girls to fulfill their vocation as Jewish women who are faithful to their belief and heritage," the rabbi concluded.
