A dramatic development within the Religious Zionist movement unfolded on Wednesday evening as Rav Tzvi Tau, president of Yeshivas Har Hamor and leader of the chardal (chareidi-nationalist) stream, issued a rare and powerful letter urging participation in Thursday’s mass atzeres tefillah in Yerushalayim.
“In these days, when young men devoted to their limud haTorah are being held behind bars as though their dedication to Torah study were a crime, our hearts cry out,” Rav Tau wrote. “I call upon all to take part in tomorrow’s public tefillah on behalf of those who learn Torah.”
The letter, titled “Es Achai Anochi Mevakeish,” calls for unity across all segments of Klal Yisroel. Rav Tau wrote that the pursuit of peace within the nation is a constant and lofty task: “The spirit of Hashem that rested upon Eliyahu—to turn the hearts of fathers to sons and sons to fathers—must reveal itself within us as well. The foundation of peace is the Name of Hashem Himself, through which Israel will be saved forever.”
He warned against divisive foreign influences: “At this sacred and awesome moment, little foxes from Europe and America come to damage the vineyard, to divide Klal Yisroel and separate the nation. We must consider what will become of such division if, Heaven forbid, the flag of unity and shared purpose is not raised high.”
Quoting his rebbi, Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt”l, Rav Tau stressed that the state and the army belong equally to all Jews, and harmony between yeshiva students and soldiers is essential. “Our master Rav Tzvi Yehuda said repeatedly: ‘The state and the army belong to all of us. We are all avdei Hashem and members of His people. We are not two opposing sides, and coercion has no place here. Army officials cannot meddle in the inner workings of yeshivos, just as roshei yeshiva cannot dictate specific matters pertaining to the army.’”
Rav Tau continued, “Any attempt at coercion would be a disaster for the state. The young men immersed in Torah are not a burden—they are a national cultural treasure of the highest order. Their learning elevates the nation’s spirit and strengthens morale throughout our land and our army.”
He added that the army, too, must preserve its holiness and moral clarity: “We must correct and uproot the severe moral weaknesses that have crept into our camp, whether through mixed service contrary to holiness or through the infiltration of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel progressive ideas among the upper ranks of our military.”
According to Rav Tau, the mutual vitality of the army and the yeshivos is essential: “The revival of the army and the revival of Torah are both vital to the nation. The existence of yeshivos concerns us all—they safeguard the spiritual renaissance of Israel, the growth of great Torah scholars, righteous men, and visionaries. This is not a luxury—it is a necessity for our national life.”
He concluded with a heartfelt call to action: “The organizers should be blessed, and their hands strengthened. I call upon everyone to come and take part in tomorrow’s tefillah b’rabbim for the sake of Torah learners, for our nation, and for our holy cities. Even if anyone dares to speak against the sanctity of our state or our army—his words are null and void. We will stand proudly under the banner of Hashem.”
“Oseh shalom bimromav—may He bring peace upon us and upon all of Israel,” Rav Tau ended. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper… this is the heritage of the servants of Hashem,” he wrote.
Following the letter’s release, MK Avi Maoz, head of the Noam Party, announced that “in light of the words of my teacher and master, Rav Tau shlit”a, I will, with Hashem’s help, attend tomorrow’s atzeres tefillah in solidarity with those who learn Torah.”
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Matzav.com}
