The Erev Rav By Any Other Name...

15 Iyyar 5773
Day 30 of the Omer

There aren't that many people in my circles who know the term "Erev Rav" and even those who have heard of them, don't know the GRA's instructions for how to recognize them. Some people say this is not possible and they naturally shy away from the danger of mislabeling someone. However, the Vilna Gaon himself said, "Whoever is not engaged in actively fighting the Erev Rav becomes an automatic partner to the husk of the Erev Rav, and whoever this may be it would be better for him had he not been created."

It might be easier to just think of them as "wolves in sheep's clothing." Everyone understands this term. It describes someone who has the appearance of one thing, usually good, while inside he is something quite different and usually bad.

The Erev Rav does not [necessarily] have an outwardly secular nature. On the contrary, they can appear quite religious and, for the most part, fulfill the mitzvot incumbent upon a Jew today, at least externally. (Divrei Chaim)

Our Sages said that in the period of "messiah's footsteps" impudence will become great... and the "erev rav will return to be the shepherds of Israel" (Safra ditz'ni`utha)

We read in the introduction to the Holy book Eitz Chayim what the Holy Rabbi Chayim Vital, may his merit shield us, (who was the student of the Holy ARI zt"l) wrote concerning the Erev Rav: All those that do kindness and toil in the Torah, all they do for themselves, and in particular through our many sins, in our times, the Torah has been made into a hammer with which to do their own ends for many ba'alei Torah, who occupy themselves in the Torah in order to receive their reward and other benefits and luxuries, and in order to be in the group of heads of Yeshivot, and judges (dayanim) in their courts, so that their names and fame are spread throughout the land,....

...most of the Rabbanim are from the Erev Rav, and one has to fight against them with a strong war.

See more here. I think the following speaks for itself.

Deri: Perhaps Reduce Yesha IDF Security

Shas co-Chairman Arye Deri told Israel Army Radio, "We still give the Jewish Home a chance of friendship, but only if they oppose draft of Yeshiva students. It can also be said that if there were less towns in Yesha, less IDF security would be necessary, and Yeshiva students could avoid being drafted."

Rabbi Calls for Dialogue between Streams of Judaism

Petach Tikva Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yuval Cherlow spoke at the Orot Yisrael College conference Wednesday, "A positive dialogue between various streams of Judaism can promote national unity and Diaspora integration. Friendly presentation of differing views need not lead to Halakhic capitulation."