Hagaon Rav Moshe Shternbuch, gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidis, expressed profound discontent during his shiur to his talmidim of Kollel Teshuvos V’Hanhagos. In addition, he authored a rare letter of protest in his own handwriting.
During his recent shiur during the afternoon, Rav Shternbuch voiced sharp criticism regarding a disturbing incident that occurred in Ramat Beit Shemesh Dalet. This incident involved a gabbai honoring a woman with gelilah within the confines of the shul.
Rav Shternbuch penned his strong objection to the incident, which took place at a hachnosas Sefer Torah at the shul.
The bizayon haTorah quickly garnered attention, as visual evidence emerged from the event. It was clear that shul gababim gave the honor of gelilah  – wrapping the Sefer Torah – to a woman in a shul packed with men.
This audacious action has evoked a wave of condemnations and bewilderment from public figures, who questioned how a shul that identifies itself as “Chareidi” could introduce various reforms seemingly influenced by the Reform movement.

In the wake of the strong criticism, the shul reps released a statement claiming to have received permission from one of the city’s rabbinic authorities. However, a firm denial was issued from the rabbinic authorities, categorically refuting these claims as false and baseless. The local rov further chastised the gabbaim for their audacious behavior.
In response to the uproar, a delegation of rabbonim visited the home of Rav Shternbuch to present the distressing incident to him and seek his guidance. Rav Shternbuch responded that a protest is warranted. He took a pen from his pocket and promptly composed a protest letter in his own handwriting.
He wrote, “Every heart should tremble upon hearing about the community with chareidi roots that has descended step by step. They honored a woman’s involvement in rolling the Sefer Torah and publicized that this elevated the honor of the Torah and the honor of the chareidi woman.”
During his shiur to his talmidim, he said, “It is essential to raise our voices in protest against the harm inflicted upon the honor and sanctity of the Torah.”
{Matzav.com Israel}