Rabbi Moshe Maya Recalls Unique Knesset Instructions from Torah Giants
Rabbi Moshe Maya, senior member of the Council of Torah Sages, recently reflected on his early days as a member of Knesset decades ago. Speaking at a special gathering in Bnei Brak, he shared the surprising advice he received from prominent Torah leaders like Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul. The rabbi admitted that when he was first thrust into parliamentary politics, he had no idea how to navigate the secular political system. To resolve his uncertainty, he sought guidance from leading rabbinic figures on how an observant Jew should function within the legislative body. According to Rabbi Maya, Rabbi Abba Shaul instructed him explicitly not to submit parliamentary queries or attempt to pass laws. This unusual directive highlights the traditional Haredi approach of treating political involvement primarily as a defensive mechanism rather than a legislative ambition.