Gedolei Yisrael Attend Emergency Vaad HaYeshivos Meeting

In a historic, emergency gathering, Litvishe, Sephardi, and Chassidish Gedolei Yisrael  convened on Thursday evening to discuss the draft law, a day after a separate Asifah called on by other Gedolim for the community to attend.

The Thursday meeting, held by the Vaad HaYeshivos, featured powerful speeches from Gedolei Yisrael, including Harav Hagaon Dov Lando shlita, Harav Hagaon Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita and former Rishon Letzion Harav Yitzchak Yosef shlita.

Harav Hagaon Meir Zvi Bergman shlita, who attended the previous day’s event, also attended.

The leaders vowed to resist the persecution of Torah study and an effort to equate yeshiva students with criminals.

The somber gathering opened with the recitation of Tehillim by Harav Hagaon Dovid Cohen shlita, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Harav Hagaon Chaim Aharon Kaufman shlita, chairman of the Vaad HaYeshivos, then set the tone for the evening, stating, “We gathered here so that every Maggid Shiur and Rosh Yeshivah will strengthen the talmidim, especially those who are defined as being on the social periphery.”

The head of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, Harav Hagaon Yitzchak Yosef shlita, was the first of the major leaders to speak, praising the community’s public representatives as “rabbinical emissaries who sacrifice their lives for the yeshiva students.” He called on students to strengthen themselves and “lift their hearts in the ways of Hashem, through whose study of Torah the world and the land stand.”

“The Gedolei Yisrael have gathered here to say what Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai said to the Caesar Vespasian: ‘Give me Yavneh and its chachamim,’ a plea that saved the Jewish people for 2,000 years,” Rav Yosef declared. “Do not stop the Holy Torah.”

Rav Lando delivered a stark warning. “The Gedolei Yisrael are determined to defy the counsel of those who hate the Torah and to act for the sake of its students, against whom no weapon shall succeed, so that they may study in peace and prosperity,” he said. “To this end, the Gedolim appoint faithful emissaries who act responsibly and quietly, according to the tradition we received from our rabbis regarding how to deal with the authorities, without irresponsible tirades. However, if, chas v’shalom, the authorities harm the yeshiva students, we will shake the world with all our might. The authorities will find themselves facing a united, global Charedi Jewry fighting for its very soul.”

Rav Hirsch issued a call for resilience. “If there is no Torah, we are like all the other nations, and this brings destruction, rachmana litzlan. It is our obligation to remain with the Torah through our study,” he proclaimed. “Every Ben Torah should be proud that Hashem has presented us with this test, and it is through Him that we will succeed. We say to those who fight against us: we will not give up! We will stand firm so that everyone who wants to learn, can learn! We will stand firm to ensure we continue with the Torah! When we stand strong, and it is clear to all that we will be strong against all challenges, Hashem will certainly help us, and through this will come the success of the entire Yishuv.”

In a passionate address, Rac Bergman compared the situation to past calamities. “Today, the secular government has risen against us and wishes to abolish, chas v’shalom, the Holy Torah from the students of the holy yeshivas. This is a real danger of exile and the destruction of the country,” he warned. “The country has been at war for nearly two years, and everyone needs many merits. In a time like this, more Torah students and more kollelim should have been added to nullify the harsh decrees.”

Rav Bergman added, “The worst part is that there are also religious people who always speak of fulfilling the commandment of settling the land, yet now they themselves increase their hatred for those who study Torah! If they truly care about Eretz Yisrael, they are now destroying it with their own hands! It is impossible for someone who goes to the army to come out the same; it is literally a decree of spiritual destruction. One who goes there loses himself spiritually, and we must be willing to give our lives for this! Every Torah student must be taught this, so that we can say ‘our hands did not shed this blood.’ And in the merit of us guarding the Torah and its students, Hakadosh Baruch Hu will save us from all evil decrees, and we will merit the coming of our Mashiach, soon and in our days. Amen.”

Following additional speeches from other members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, the official resolutions of the emergency meeting were read aloud.

Resolutions of the Emergency Meeting

A. Klal Yisrael is in a difficult situation, facing cruel enemies who seek our lives. To the sorrow of every heart, many children of Israel have fallen, many have been injured, and our brothers remain in captivity. Our eyes are turned to Hashem in prayer that He will have mercy on us, bring about the fall of our enemies, deliver the captives from darkness to light, and grant a refuah sheleimah to the wounded.

B. The pain is immense when, at this very time, our own wayward brothers seek to harm “Yavneh and its chachamim.” They seek to harm the Torah students who cast aside worldly pleasures for the sole wish of engaging in the Torah. They seek to revoke their status, compare them to criminals, and impose punishments upon them. This attack is on the foundation and secret of our existence; the Holy Torah. Who would have thought that here, in the Holy Land, those who labor in Torah would be persecuted? The holy yeshivas stood by our ancestors at all times and protected our nation. As we mourn the Churban Beis Hamikdash, we must announce that there is nothing left but this Torah, which is our shield and shelter. Therefore, we call out with a torn heart: Please, brothers, do not be afraid! This decree is like the worst of the decrees of our enemies who persecuted our religion. Return and recognize the status of the yeshiva students as it has been until now. Know that our path is sacred and we will not waver.

C. The unity of the faithful in this campaign to preserve the holy yeshivas is extremely important. All, without exception, must act solely in accordance with the instructions provided by the Vaad HaYeshivos. Roshei Hayeshivos must convey these instructions to their talmidim. For any question, the committee should be contacted before any action is taken.

D. We are here to strengthen each and every yeshiva student. Ashreichem, you who are privileged to devote yourself to the Torah under trial and difficulty. Strengthen your hands in the work of the Torah. Do not be afraid or discouraged. We are all united with one counsel. We will not rest or be silent until this evil decree is quickly repealed. Until then, we will stand by your side.

E. The Roshei Hayeshivos are called to strengthen and encourage the spirit of the talmidim in their yeshivos, explaining to them that our path is the path of the Torah, and its manner of transmission within the walls of the yeshiva will not be replaced and cannot be changed. We are called upon to give strength to Torah students,the sustainers of the world, and to bring closer those who are needed so they do not withdraw from the community.

F. In anticipation of the approaching bein hazmanim days, we must awaken the students to the obligation of setting fixed times for Torah study. One should avoid idling in the streets, especially at this time, and it is certainly forbidden to go to places that are not in accordance with the ways of our Torah. Everyone has an obligation to behave in a manner that causes a Kiddush Hashem. As Chazal said, “Of one who has studied Torah, see how beautiful his ways are, how righteous his deeds are.” About him, the pasuk says, “Yisrael, in you I (Hashem) will be glorified.”

Photos by Daniel Nafosi and David Mendelsohn