Rebbes and Rabbonim signed a letter of gratitude to President Donald Trump, dated June 10th but released on Motzei Shabbos, as early voting is in progress across America. Crown Heights Rav Avrohom Osdoba is one of the signers.
By Anash.org reporter
A group of Rebbes and Rabbonim signed a letter of gratitude to President Donald Trump, thanking him for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and for standing up for religious freedoms.
The letter is dated June 10th, but was only released over four months later, on October 25th, as early voting is taking place across America.
The letter thanks the President for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially his defense of religious freedom.
Signing on the letter are a group of 13 prominent rabbonim and rebbes, including Harav Avrohom Osdoba of the Crown Heights Beis Din.
Others signing included both Satmar Rebbes, the Pupa Rebbe, the Munkachter Rebbe, the Skverer Rebbe, the Rachmistrivka Rebbe, Harav Shmuel Kaminetzky – Rosh Yeshiva of Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Harav Malkiel Kotlar – Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, NJ, Rabbi Eli Dov Wachtfogel – Rosh Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, and Rabbi Moshe Wolfson – Mesivta Torah Vodaas, Rabbinical Seminary Emunas Yisroel.
The drafting and signing of the letter was spearheaded by Rabbi Moshe Margareten of the Tzedek Association, who has worked closely with the Trump White House on prison reform, and was even honored to light the menorah at the White House Chanukah party this past year.
According to sources close to Rabbi Margareten, the letter was first drafted in the summer and signatories were added until recently, and hence the gap between the date on the letter and the release date.
The publication of such a letter just two weeks before Election Day is sure to get much media attention, and may be spun as an endorsement of President Trump. On many occasions, the Rebbe said that Chabad should not take actions that can be seen as political, for such actions can harm the spread of Yiddishkeit and Chassidus.
The full text of the letter appears below:
We write to express our deepest gratitude to you, Mr. President, especially in light of your recent declaration that houses of worship and religious institutions should be considered ‘essential’. You have given a powerful voice to what all good people know beyond any doubt: that now, more than ever, we must turn to Almighty G-d, fortifying our faith and staying true to our values in the face of these current tribulations.
During any time of crisis, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and denominations look for leadership, to help them steer a course through the turbulence and uncertainty. Yet, not every era is blessed with the same caliber of leadership, as becomes evident in the extent to which a nation retains its integrity through times of upheaval.
It is precisely with this in mind that we feel so grateful that you, Mr. President, are indeed expressing that leadership we need so urgently, standing up for the First Amendment religious rights, which is critical to help us weather the storm of the current pandemic. You have exemplified that leadership with your commitment to the essential importance of religious entities. You understand, Mr. President, that it is our faith in G-d that will keep us strong and lift us out of this calamity.
Like all tribulations, as we face this unprecedented COVID-I9 pandemic, we rely on our faith and trust in G-d to overcome this overwhelming challenge. This is why your affirmation of religious liberty is so important, especially at a time when we need our houses of worship and religious schools open — in a safe and sensible manner — now more than ever. Your unwavering support for the religious liberty has sent a clear and unequivocal message that the right to pray and study is non-negotiable. Houses of worship and religious schools arc indeed essential and indispensable to nourishing the soul, much as food nourishes the body.
Mr. President, Judaism stresses that G-d rewards each of us ‘measure for measure’ — we are recompensed according to the nature of our deeds. As you have strengthened America to proudly hold aloft the banner of G-d and religious belief, so too, may G-d Almighty bless you to proudly lead us to victory in our current war with COVID-19. In the eternal words of Psalms (84:8), may you go ‘from strength to strength’, leading us forward towards ever greater good, with personal blessings of health, prosperity and the joy of your family and friends.
We conclude with this prayer:
He that giveth salvation unto our leaders, He that delivered his servant David from the sword of the enemy, He that made a way in the sea, and a path in the strong waters, bless and keep, preserve and rescue, exalt and magnify, and lift up lights and higher, the President of these United States of America, President Donald J. Trump. May the King of all kings defend him in his mercy, bring him joy and protect him from all dangers and distress. So may it please G-d, and let us say, Amen.
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