Harav Steinman Calls for Taanis Esther Tefillos Against Yeshivah Draft

In his letter, the Rosh Yeshivah writes that there will be no compromise on the matter.

The Rosh Yeshivah begins his letter by stating that since Yetzias Mitzrayim and kabbalas haTorah, all that remains for us now is the Torah and its learners.

He elaborated on the need for total devotion to Torah in one’s younger years, when the mind is fresh and able to understand and absorb the Torah learned, and that these years determine the bachur’s whole life.

That is why, throughout the generations, the younger years have been devoted completely to Torah study without any disturbances.

In addition, continued the Rosh Yeshivah, the situation in the army is one of severe spiritual danger, in total contradiction to the chinuch we give our children.

“We would like to publicize that on Thursday, Taanis Esther, the parents and children should gather in shuls and batei medrash to daven in the merit of the tinokos shel beis rabban and to recite pirkei Tehillim for the annulment of the decree,” Rav Steinman writes.

Last Thursday, an atzeres tefillah was held in Yeshivas Ponevezh L’tze’irim, where Harav Don Segal delivered fiery divrei hisorerus concerning the gezeirah on lomdei Torah, after which he led the tefillos.

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the February 21st, 2013 edition of Hamodia.