Rabbi Zalman Melamed, the head of Yeshiva Beit El and one of the most senior students of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, zt’l, does not usually give interviews to the media, especially not to the general media. However, in light of the division created in the nation following the legal reform legislation, Rabbi Melamed gave a rare and exclusive interview to Maariv Regarding his view on the division in the nation.
The interview comes against the background of a letter signed by Rabbis Yaakov Ariel, Zalman Melamed, Aryeh Stern, Chaim Steiner, Rabbi HaCohen and Shmuel Eliyahu. In the letter, the six senior rabbis call for dialogue between the parties, but Rabbi Zalman Melamed found it important to appeal to the general public with a call for unity. I don’t give interviews to the media at all,” began Rabbi Melamed. “Only because of the importance of unity, which is in my soul, I am giving this short interview.”
According to the rabbi, what is the basic problem now?
“The rule of loving your neighbor must be preserved,” said Rabbi Melamed. “Even though we disagree, we must respect each other, speak respectfully. We did not sign a letter of how the dispute over the legal reform should be resolved, but how the dispute should be managed. We must remember that we are brothers, one family.”
But Rabbi, there is a dispute. What should be done?
“When we have disagreements, we speak in a polite and respectful manner. We remain friends and brothers, and do not become enemies. This is not the first nor the last disagreement and you need to know how to live with disagreements.”
When the rabbi sees the polarization in the people following the legal reform legislation, is the rabbi worried?
“I’m worried. It’s always possible to spoil things and end up in bad situations of a rift in the nation. I believe that with God’s help it won’t come to that, but we shouldn’t end up in situations where there are such tensions in the nation.” Rabbi Melamed added: “The majority is shared. Our ambition is to do good for the State of Israel and the people of Israel, everyone shares this good will. There are differences of opinion on how to do this good for the country and the people, and it’s okay to have differences of opinion.”
“We need to argue, everyone stand for his opinion, but maintain that we are one people and we love each other. A mitzvah and love for your neighbor like you is without preconditions or conditions. A mitzvah and love for your neighbor like you is always,” Rabbi Melamed concluded. In the letter calling for dialogue, signed by the six senior rabbis from religious Zionism, it is written: “We appeal to the leaders of the public, the people of spirit and action, the members of the Knesset and the general public. Dear and beloved brothers. We are all one family, we are all brothers.”
“We have differences of opinion, but we all want the good of the people and the good of the country. The differences of opinion, with all their sharpness, must not harm the peace and harmony of our unity.”
The rabbis added: “Let’s curb the style of speech, discuss the differences of opinion in a matter-of-fact manner, speak with respect to each other, look for the common ground and define the boundaries of the dispute.”
“We have a lot in common despite the sharp differences of opinion, we all want the good of the people and the country. We will keep the rule and love your neighbor like you, and together we will bring the country to a high place and be a light to the Gentiles,” the senior rabbis signed.