Meeting of Roshei Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael in Face of Draft Law

By Hamodia Staff

Some two hundred Roshei Yeshivos from all segments, including Chassidish, Litvish and Sefardic, gathered for a meeting of the Vaad Hayeshivos in Bnei Brak to discuss the recent ruling to draft the tamidei hayeshivos.

Harav Menachem Ernster, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Visnitz, led the gathering in the recital of Tehillim as they beseeched Hakadoh Baruch Hu to bring about a successful conclusion to this latest attack on the talmidei hayeshivos.

Harav Chaim Aharon Kaufman, shlita, the chairman of the Vaad Hayeshivos, addressed the gathering by mentioning the words of Harav Zalman Sorotzkin, zt”l, a previous chairman, who explained that when Chizkiah Hamelech declared that anyone who does not learn Torah would be subject to the death penalty, is was specifically during the battle with King Sancherev. “Only through fulfilling the edict of “being engrossed in Torah” will the nation merit “And I will give peace in the land,” he said.

Harav Moshe Mayah, shlita, head of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah of Shas, spoke of the mesiras nefesh of the avreichim who toil in Torah despite having large families.

Harav Dov Landau, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, said emotionally that the entire citizenry of Eretz Yisrael owes a debt of gratitude to the bnei yeshiva who protect the country with their learning.

Although Harav Baruch Dov Povarsky, shlita, was unable to attend in person, he sent a letter, which was read in public, in which he declared that the only guarantee for the existence of Klal Yisrael is through the learning of Torah. “Even during the slavery in Mitzrayim, Shevet Levi was exempt from work because they were carrying the burden of Torah,” he said.

Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, stated that at this time when limud haTorah is under attack, it is incumbent upon the bnei yeshiva to increase their learning without letup.

Harav Shmuel Betzalel, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Porat Yosef and member of Moetzet Chachamei Hatorah of Shas, spoke tearfully of how it is embarrassing that the mistaken secularists are extinguishing the flame of Torah instead of strengthening it, and they taking the food from the mouths of those who live with deprivation in order to learn Torah.

Harav Don Segal spoke how the Roshei yeshiva have spoken the truth, and that there can be no change, and that we must strengthen ourselves with increased learning.

The gathering of Roshei Yeshiva in the Vaad Hayeshivos released a declaration that stated:

1. Am Yisrael is in a state of war against the accursed enemies who seek to kill us, Hashem yerachem. Our hearts ache for the many who fell, Hy”d, and we pray and a cry for our acheinu b’nei Yisrael who are suffering in captivity, and we are asking in supplication before Hakadosh Baruch Hu to have mercy on us, and the residents of Eretz Yisrael will return to live in peace and security in all the cities of our holy land, and we will see the fall of the oppressors of Israel who stand against us, and Hashem delivers us from their hands.

2. As those who have fallen to us the great privilege and the enormous responsibility of establishing an “legion of the King;” the many thousands of yeshiva students and lomdei Torah, kein yirbu, we hereby declare and inform: “Since the days of our ancestors, yeshiva has never ceased from them,” and in all of our exiles what kept Judaism alive were the holy yeshivas dedicated to Torah study alone, without any foreign admixture. Any attempt to harm them is like thrusting a sword into the heart of the nation, the results of which are destruction of its existence.

3. This matter was understood and obvious in every generation, even while dwelling among the nations of the world. And in times of trouble and distress that passed over our nation, when they issued evil decrees on the Holy Torah, our forefathers insisted that the yeshivos remain as they are even under difficult and bitter conditions.

4. We appeal to the heads of the government, with a request to recognize the yeshiva as the secret and the basis of our existence and therefore to regulate the status of all the members of the yeshivos and kollelim as they have always been, that they not be disturbed from their Torah learning.

5. We declare that we will stand firm, in the face of all attempts to make it difficult for the existence and expansion of the Torah world, including in the face of harm, financial or otherwise, chas v’shalom. We will continue to establish armies of b’nei Torah and talmidei chachamim, for the Torah is our life and the length of our days, the foundation of our existence and our souls. 

6. And to the members of the yeshivos and kollelim we call: Stand firm against all challenges, hold the pillar of the holy Torah in a strong fortress, with great reinforcement by adding more diligence, continuous hours, and toil in Torah learning in the batei medrash, while removing all interferences, “any who accepts the yoke of Torah, they will remove from him the yoke of the government and derech eretz.” And in all practical matters, one must obey the instructions to be published by the Vaad Hayeshivos in Eretz Yisrael.

7. Now that the yeshivos and kollelim are entering bein hazmanim, and the population in Eretz Yisrael is in great danger, we call even more strongly to continue to set strong times for Torah in the batei medrash, because the b’nei yeshivah and avreichim are the ones who protect us from those who stand before us to destroy us. Chas veshalom to meander idly in the streets, which are dangerous both physically and spiritually. One should avoid trips that are not appropriate for b’nei Torah and yirei shamayim. The days of bein hazmanim are intended to give a break according to the spirit of the Torah and to prepare properly for Pesach, and the days afterwards, to prepare for Summer z’man, to return to the holy yeshivos with more strength and fortitude.

8. To acheinu bnei Yisrael in the Diaspora, generous-hearted, Torah-loving and able to assist, we proclaim: Take to heart your great duty to support Torah at this fateful time, for the existence of the Am Yisrael, in the face of all the enemies that have risen up against it from the outside, and those who are interfering with its existence at home, and give as much as you can for the sake of supporting the pillars of the Torah in Eretz Yisrael, the yeshivos and kollelim, the source of our life.