Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, a leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi, on Wednesday evening complained about how little children in secular Israeli schools learn about Judaism, and called for them to be taught more about their heritage, Behadrey Haredim reported.
Speaking at a meeting on education held with other rabbis, Rabbi Edelstein said, "It is a shame that, to our great sadness, there are children in Israel who do not receive an education - an education of Judaism, an education of faith, what 'Shema Yisrael' is, what love of the Torah is, what it means to be G-d fearing."
"To our great sadness, there is a public which needs it, which lacks all education on Judaism."
Rabbi Edelstein added, "For this, there are prayers. There are prayers worded as prayer, which request, 'Our Father, bring us back to Your Torah,' for all of the Jewish people we request mercy, and prayer is something that can help."
"It also depends on merits, on the merits of those who need to repent. But there is prayer, 'Bring us back to Your Torah and bring us closer to Your service, and bring us to complete repentance before You,' for all of the People of Israel, we ask for mercy, every day, three times a day, we ask for mercy."