Rav Shmuel Markowitz delivered a shmuess to his talmidim at Ponovezh Yeshiva shortly after Justice David Cheshin released his arbitration ruling regarding the long-standing dispute within the institution. The decision granted a clear victory to his brother-in-law Rav Leizer Kahaneman. Within hours, Rav Markowitz gathered the talmidim in the main bais medrash to guide them through the moment and to set the tone for the yeshiva’s response.
Rav Markowitz opened by acknowledging those who devote their “koach, nefesh, and neshama” to raising the talmidim. He explained that a new situation had arrived unexpectedly and that they must understand the proper perspective: “There is now a new situation, and we must know the correct outlook and how to relate to it. This came suddenly, and we need the tools and the thought to know what our mission is now.”
He told them that although the din Torah had affirmed their right to teach and learn where they are, outside authorities now seek to dislodge them. “Since the ruling in the din Torah, the ruling stated that we are here, learning and teaching Torah, and our right according to the Torah is to bring into the yeshiva roshei yeshiva and rabbeim. Now, through the civil system, they want to expel us. What was in our hands to do, we did, to preserve the din Torah ruling, and it did not succeed.”
Despite that, he told the talmidim that they must continue with strength and gratitude. “We must thank Hashem for what you have merited to grow. It is known and public that you are growing and immersed in Torah. It is known throughout the world that here is the finest of the fine.”
Rav Markowitz emphasized that the essence of the yeshiva cannot be uprooted: “The inner dimension that is not connected to any building exists forever. The inner dimension is greater than the outer, and that is what we are speaking about now.” He added later, “The yeshiva is ruchniyus, and ruchniyus cannot be taken.”
He reminded them that generations of struggle do not weaken Torah; they strengthen it. “We are in a time when Hashem has broadened things for us and we will flourish in the land. From something bitter will come something sweet. We will not leave you, and more and more generations will grow.”
He urged the talmidim not to react against anyone. His warning was explicit: “We will continue and grow as usual, and absolutely do nothing against the other side. There is no point in it. Whatever they will do, they will do.”
Rav Markowitz told them that their entire task is to deepen their commitment to learning, tefillah, and mussar. “Our role now is only to learn, and to be immersed in the toil of Torah. What they will do, I do not know. But we do nothing, only learning, davening, and character growth—only what is necessary, only the will of the Creator.”
He spoke openly about responsibility and inner strength: “There is no doubt that the main strength in this is you. If each one, with spirit inside him, wants to grow and use all his abilities, there is guaranteed heavenly assistance.”
He encouraged them not to be intimidated by present circumstances. “We must not measure things in the moment. Days will speak. There is a vision and a process. The vision remains.”
He explained that challenges force a person to become a builder, not a bystander. “Each one of us now becomes a builder. When each one builds himself, his group, and everyone together—that is the construction that passes from generation to generation.”
Rav Markowitz told the talmidim that now is not the time for fear, but for elevated effort. “If we stand in the test, we grow from it and will flourish in the land. This is the greatness that comes from inner strength.”
He reassured them that the yeshiva will emerge stronger. “We will come out of this situation strengthened. The desire that everyone has will continue, and we are certain that from this, Hashem, who desires justice, will magnify Torah and glorify it. The power of Torah will grow from this.”
He concluded with a call for uplifted spirit and confidence. “The atmosphere of wanting to grow must continue. Do not fall into a negative mood. There is no reason for it. From something bitter will come something sweet. Hashem will broaden things for us again. The greatness of Torah will rise among us with heavenly assistance.”
{Matzav.com}
