As the winter zman came to a close, Rav Tzemach Mazuz delivered a forceful address to his talmidim, connecting recent global events to the koach of Torah learning while sharply criticizing Israel’s attorney general over the ongoing draft controversy.
Speaking at Yeshivas Kissei Rachamim ahead of bein hazmanim, Rav Mazuz focused on current developments, pressures facing the עולם התורה, and areas he felt required strengthening.
At the outset, he addressed the reported elimination of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, presenting it as part of a broader spiritual reality and attributing success to Torah study. He illustrated this with a parable.
“Last week, people came to tell me big news. What was the news? That, baruch Hashem, we merited to destroy and eliminate one of the great figures of the Iranians, and there was tremendous celebration. I saw that they wrote that the prime minister made a celebration. Can someone explain to me why he celebrated?”
“I’ll tell you,” he continued. “Because he was the brain behind all the missiles, all the attacks, and all the evil done to the Jewish people. And when that head is cut off, then with Hashem’s help the situation will improve. Just like with Haman—when Haman was killed, the Jewish people celebrated Purim, and we celebrate Purim until today.”
Expanding on the idea, Rav Mazuz compared the situation to a machine, explaining that the visible output depends on a hidden driving force.
“And I say this as a mashal. What is the lesson? Like every year, I went to visit the machine matzah bakery connected to the yeshiva. Someone who stands there sees how the machine works and the matzos come out within minutes. But what drives it all? The engine! Without the engine, there would be no matzos that we eat on Pesach. Everything has a driving force behind it.”
He then identified Torah learners as that driving force. “We are living in a very special time, we are literally seeing miracles and wonders… and who is the engine behind all these successes? You should know the truth—it is you! Israel is saved by Hashem with an eternal salvation. You sit and learn Torah.”
Turning to internal challenges, Rav Mazuz addressed the draft crisis and delivered a sharp critique of the attorney general.
“This legal adviser is constantly working on how to draft yeshiva students. In my humble opinion, she is from the ערב רב, she is not from the Jewish people! She wants to break the Jews by taking yeshiva students into the army—a place filled with very difficult spiritual challenges—and then, chas v’shalom, there is no protection for the Jewish people.”
Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in the endurance of Torah, drawing from history.
“But with Hashem’s help we will overcome this as well—we have already gone through more difficult things than this. What did the Romans think when they combed the flesh of Rabbi Akiva with iron combs? They thought that would stop Torah learning. But no! The Romans are gone, and the Torah of Rabbi Akiva is alive and enduring. In the merit of the small group of yeshiva students, we are alive and we merit victories.”
As Pesach approached, Rav Mazuz urged his talmidim to remain committed during bein hazmanim.
“When a person is responsible, he does not abandon his role. You are protecting Eretz Yisroel and the entire Jewish people—do not leave your post. Bein hazmanim is meant to rest and regain strength, but one must continue to learn during these days as well. Someone who is careful about this returns to yeshiva with momentum, and the Gemara remains part of his life.”
He concluded by encouraging greater attention to kibbud av v’eim during the break and reminding his audience of the mitzvah of biur maasros and viduy maasros applicable this year, before awarding certificates to students who were tested on the halachos of amira l’nochri.
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