“I Am Not Afraid”: Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein Encourages Yeshiva Bochurim Learning in a Shelter
In the midst of the tense days of war and constant sirens, dozens of bochurim from Yeshivas Darchei Shlomo and avreichim from Kollel Beis Dovid have temporarily moved their limud haTorah to protected shelters in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak. In recent days, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein descended to the shelter of the neighborhood’s central shul and delivered a stirring shmuess chizuk to the bochurim, speaking about the power of simchas haTorah to overcome fear and hardship.
The younger bochurim of Yeshivas Darchei Shlomo, under the leadership of Rav Avrohom Pollak—rosh hakahal of Ramat Elchanan and a close associate of Rav Zilberstein—have been continuing their seder halimud in the neighborhood during this period so they can remain close to protected spaces.
At the same time, dozens of avreichim from Kollel Beis Dovid, who normally travel daily from Bnei Brak to Cholon, have been learning during this period in the central beis haknesses of Ramat Elchanan. Rav Zilberstein’s presence in the neighborhood has brought a sense of calm and menuchas hanefesh to many residents and visitors who come daily to receive his bracha following Mincha Gedolah.
In recent days, the bochurim merited a special moment when Rav Zilberstein came down toward the end of the morning seder to the shelter beneath the beis haknesses and delivered an uplifting sichas chizuk, addressing the spiritual meaning of the current situation.
At the beginning of his remarks, Rav Zilberstein told the bochurim that although many people are frightened that the situation could escalate into a much larger war, he personally is not afraid. When he sees dedicated bochurim and a strong yeshiva, he said, it gives him strength and confidence.
“Today everyone is afraid that the situation may escalate into a world war… but I am not afraid, because when I see good bochurim like you and such a good yeshiva, I am not afraid.”
To illustrate the tremendous power of simchas haTorah, Rav Zilberstein shared a remarkable story about an avreich who traveled to Russia to give shiurim and spread Torah. According to Rav Zilberstein, the shiurim were so sweet and powerful that the bochurim eagerly absorbed every word.
For three years, the avreich delivered those shiurim. When the shiur ended, the bochurim would quickly open their notebooks and record everything he said.
After three years he returned to Eretz Yisroel with his wife. When they arrived, his in-laws came to greet them, having heard glowing reports about the tremendous impact he had made through his harbotzas haTorah.
However, something unexpected occurred. While davening in the beis haknesses at the airport and putting on tefillin, a small pill accidentally fell from his pocket. His father-in-law picked it up and brought it to a medical expert, who explained that the medication was used for someone suffering from epilepsy.
The family was devastated. Late that night, the wife’s parents came to Rav Zilberstein in tears. They explained that they had just discovered that their son-in-law suffered from this illness and did not know how to proceed.
Rav Zilberstein told them that he had his own reasoning. If the avreich had delivered shiurim for three years and had never once experienced an episode, it meant that the illness did not dominate him. The joy and sweetness of Torah—simchas haTorah—had the strength to overcome it.
To confirm his reasoning, Rav Zilberstein consulted a leading medical expert and presented the idea. The doctor agreed completely, explaining that if someone had exerted himself so intensely for three years teaching Torah without suffering an episode, it indicated that the illness was being subdued.
Because the wife’s father remained concerned that the original kiddushin might be considered a mistake due to the undisclosed illness, the family decided to perform a second kiddushin quietly as a precaution. The ceremony was held late at night, and they softly sang “Od Yishama,” so that the story would not become public knowledge.
Rav Zilberstein then told the bochurim the continuation of the story. The couple later had a son who grew up to be one of the finest children in the neighborhood, filled with tremendous cheshek haTorah and blessed with good health.
According to Rav Zilberstein, the child’s greatness came from the extraordinary love of Torah that filled the home.
He explained that Torah responds to love and devotion. Just as a wife responds when her husband truly loves her, Torah embraces and protects the person who truly loves it.
Turning to the bochurim in the shelter, Rav Zilberstein praised them warmly and said they were fortunate to have a rosh yeshiva and maggidei shiur of such quality.
At that point, Rav Avrohom Pollak asked how bochurim can maintain focus during such difficult days, when sirens interrupt the night and sleep is constantly disrupted, while the hanhalas hayeshiva still expects them to arrive on time and not miss even a moment of seder.
Rav Zilberstein responded that the previous night there had been several sirens while he was in Ramat Chen. The next morning he asked several bnei yeshiva how they felt after such a night.
Their answer, he said, was simple: they would overcome it, because Torah is their life and strength.
At that moment Rav Zilberstein began singing the well-known words declaring that Torah is the life and length of the Jewish people. The bochurim joined him, filling the shelter with heartfelt song.
He then described how one ben yeshiva told him that the explosions only strengthened their determination. Even without sleep, they remained happy because they knew they were spiritually stronger.
Rav Zilberstein concluded by telling the bochurim that they are the finest of the Jewish nation and beloved by HaKadosh Baruch Hu. They must feel proud of their role, he said, because bnei Torah are stronger than anything else.
Before leaving, he gave the bochurim a heartfelt bracha that they should continue rising higher and higher in Torah, and that their rabbeim should see much nachas from them.
He concluded by explaining that the highest level in Torah is for a person to become a moreh hora’ah, someone who can guide the tzibbur in matters of halacha. Such a person, he said, stands at the forefront of the Jewish nation and brings the Shechinah into the world.
Rav Zilberstein finished by bentching the bochurim that they should grow into gedolei Torah and bring pride to their rabbeim, their roshei yeshiva, and all of Klal Yisroel.
{Matzav.com}
