Moshe Gafni Resigns from Knesset After 38-Year Career

Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah movement and a member of Israel's parliament for nearly four decades, published an emotional farewell letter Tuesday evening to party representatives nationwide, reflecting on his 38 years of service to the ultra-Orthodox community.

In the letter, Gafni recalled his entry into politics: "Nearly 38 years ago, I was called to serve by Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach of blessed memory, to represent Degel HaTorah in the Knesset". The movement is one of two factions that make up the United Torah Judaism party, representing primarily Lithuanian-style ultra-Orthodox Jews.

"I was privileged to work alongside and under the guidance of our great rabbinical leaders, of blessed memory and may they live long," Gafni wrote. "Throughout this time, I acted according to their guidance and direction, with their full knowledge on every matter and issue".

The veteran lawmaker emphasized his adherence to rabbinical authority: "We walked together, step by step, on the path that the generation's great leaders laid out for us, without deviating from it in the slightest." He added, "My heart is at peace with the mission I was privileged to fulfill in all areas over recent decades.

Gafni detailed the scope of his parliamentary work over the years: "I was privileged to assist all segments of the public in Israel and in all areas of life, and to champion the cause of Haredi Judaism in the Knesset, through speeches, legislation, motions, parliamentary questions, debates in plenary and committee sessions, working for the collective and the individual, and fighting the battles of Torah and the Haredi community every single day, in every period and its challenges, against anti-Haredi discrimination".

The outgoing lawmaker shared a formative memory from Rabbi Shach: "I recall that after I was elected to the Knesset, Rabbi Shach called me in and told me, among other things: 'Activists come to me and tell me about large budgets they secured through their work, and I don't understand that. But I do understand when a widow with two children comes, who are about to be evicted from the only apartment they have, and you make sure they can stay in their home, that I understand".

Following those words, Gafni said, "I instructed my assistants over the years to respond to every inquiry from the public." He added that "the heart of my mission was preserving the pure oil, Haredi education in all its branches: defending its independence and worldview, and developing its systems".

Addressing current challenges facing the ultra-Orthodox community, Gafni wrote: "We are in the midst of an unprecedented period. The Supreme Court and legal advisory systems have declared war on the Haredi public and its way of life. Facing the decrees striking us in every area, and facing the harm to the status of yeshiva students, we fought with all our strength. We did this on the mission and instruction of our rabbinical leaders, step by step, in full consultation with them, and without reservation".

"As my tenure as a Knesset member comes to an end, I thank G-d for giving me strength, and for the great privilege of decades of public service in the Knesset for the collective and the individual," Gafni wrote. "Deep thanks to our rabbinical leaders for the complete trust they placed in me and for the privilege of working under their guidance, and my gratitude goes to the broader public for the great trust that stood before my eyes at every step".

He clarified that despite leaving parliament, he will continue in his party leadership role: "Going forward, as I continue to serve as chairman of the movement, the responsibility rests on me together with you, and we will continue to work together".

In his letter, he addressed Degel HaTorah representatives across the country: "You are the vanguard and spearhead of the entire Haredi public in the realm of public action. You work faithfully and accompany educational and Torah institutions, and provide solutions in your regions for all local and personal needs of all segments of the public as faithful representatives".

He concluded with blessings: "I wish to bless and thank all those who reach out and offer blessings, and to wish you and all your households and all of Israel a good year. A year in which we merit G-d's salvation, to raise the banner of Torah and its students, and to merit seeing the coming of the righteous redeemer speedily in our days. May you be inscribed and sealed for good".