Protest from Jerusalem Zealots Opposing the Establishment of the State

Protest from Jerusalem Zealots Opposing the Establishment of the State

Unknown proclamation signed by approximately 20 personages of the Old Yishuv who vigorously opposed the the very establishment of the state. There was much chaos in the Land in those days around the War of Independence, which started in the winter of 1947 and lasted about a year, into the winter of 1948.

The first stage of the war started in January 1947, immediately following the UN General Assembly's approval of the partition plan. The Arabs in the Land then began murderous attacks against the Yishuv. The second and more serious stage of the war began the day after the Yishuv leadership announced the establishment of the Jewish state in the Land (May 14), and much blood was shed in the Land.

In Elul 1948, with artillery shells still shaking the Land, the above mentioned personages signed a "Protest in Honor of Hashem and his Torah, " in which they make it clear that they do not recognize a "state" that has etched its laws counter to the laws of the Torah. They list: Desecration of Shabbat and festivals, forbidden foods, drafting boys and girls, courts opposed to the Torah laws, the appointment of lawbreakers and women to positions of community leadership and the compulsory education law.

Among the signatories, in their handwriting: R' Eliyahu Nachum Porush, R' Amram Blau, R' Zalman Brizel, R' Levi Rabinowitz, R' Yisrael Asher Rotman, R' Nachum Yitzchak Frank, R' Moshe Mordechai Chanun, R' Yechiel Fishel Eisenbach, R' Gershon Shatmer, R' Simchah Bunim Sofer.

[1] leaf printed paper. 25x35 cm. Original signatures. Fine condition, minimal aging stains.