In a deeply emotional gathering held Thursday night at Heichalei Malchus in Bnei Brak, leading roshei yeshiva and gedolei Yisroel from across the spectrum—Litvish, Sephardi, and Chassidish—convened for an emergency conference organized by the Vaad HaYeshivos in response to the growing threat of a new government draft decree targeting yeshiva students.
The event opened with heartfelt recitation of Tehillim by Rav Yehuda Cohen, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.
Rav Chaim Aryeh Kaufman, chairman of the Vaad HaYeshivos, then addressed the crowd, stating, “We have gathered so that every maggid shiur and rosh yeshiva will strengthen their talmidim, especially those from more socially marginalized backgrounds.”
The Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, president of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, praised the dedication of elected representatives who act as emissaries of the rabbonim and urged yeshiva students to elevate themselves during Bein HaZmanim. He called on them to embody the words “vayigbah libo b’darchei Hashem”—to take pride in their spiritual mission, as their Torah learning upholds the world.
“Gedolei Yisroel have gathered here just as Rabi Yochanan ben Zakai approached Vespasian and said, ‘Give me Yavneh and its sages,’ and through that saved the Jewish people for 2,000 years. Don’t stop the holy Torah,” Rav Yosef declared.
Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, spoke with clarity and force: “The eyes of the gedolei Yisroel are constantly focused on dismantling the schemes of those who oppose Torah. They act with responsibility and calm, following the tradition we received from our predecessors in how to deal with government authorities. But if, Heaven forbid, the authorities harm yeshiva students, we will shake the world to its core with all our strength. The government will find itself facing a united chareidi Jewry around the globe, fighting for its spiritual survival.”
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, warned of the grave consequences of weakening Torah learning: “Without Torah, we become like all the nations. That leads to destruction, Heaven help us. We have an obligation to be a Torah nation through our learning. Every ben Torah must feel proud—Hashem has placed us in this challenge, and He believes we can bring Him nachas. We say to those fighting us: we will not back down! We will stand firm for the right of every Jew who wants to learn. We will not surrender our Torah identity. If we remain strong, Hashem will surely grant us success and help Klal Yisroel thrive.”
Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, rosh yeshivas Rashbi and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, issued a fierce warning: “Today, the secular government seeks to cancel, G-d forbid, the holy Torah from our precious yeshiva students. This is nothing less than a national spiritual catastrophe. The country has been at war for nearly two years, and what we need now is more Torah, more batei midrash. Instead, we’re facing decrees!
“What’s even more shocking is that there are religious Jews—those who speak often of settling the land—who now fuel hatred against Torah learners! If they truly cared about Eretz Yisroel, they’d understand that they’re tearing it down with their own hands! A yeshiva student who goes to the army doesn’t come out the same. This is a spiritual death sentence. Anyone who cares about Torah must be moser nefesh. Every mechanech must instill this in his students so we can say, ‘Our hands have not spilled this blood.’ And through guarding Torah and its learners, Hashem will protect us and bring the geulah soon.”
Other leading rabbonim also delivered addresses.
Following the speeches, the Vaad HaYeshivos announced a series of official resolutions:
1. Klal Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel is under intense threat from cruel enemies. Many kedoshim have fallen, and others have been wounded physically and emotionally. Some of our brothers remain captives. We lift our eyes to Hashem in heartfelt prayer that He show mercy and bring about the downfall of our enemies, redeem the captives, and send healing to the injured.
2. It is heartbreaking that at this moment, when unity is most needed, some of our own—confused and misled—are attacking the heart of Klal Yisroel: its yeshivos and Torah learners. They seek to equate bnei yeshiva with criminals and subject them to punishments. This is a direct assault on our very existence. Torah has always been our lifeline, entrusted to us for generations, protected in the sacred walls of the yeshiva, sustained by bnei yeshiva who dedicate their lives to it.
How tragic that in the very land from which Torah shines to the world, Torah learners are being pursued and vilified. Yeshivos, passed down from our ancestors, are what preserved us through the darkest times—both our faith and even our physical survival.
As we mourn the Churban during Bein HaMetzarim, we must remember: there is no greater remnant than this Torah. It has protected us and will continue to do so.
We cry out from the depths: Brothers, do not be cruel! This decree is no different than the worst decrees of our enemies, who sought to destroy our religion. Recognize once again the sacred standing of bnei yeshiva.
Know that our path is the path of mesorah, and we will not veer from it.
3. The unification of all those who fear Heaven in defense of the yeshiva world and its students is critical. Everyone—institutions and individuals—must act exclusively according to the guidance of the Vaad HaYeshivos.
Roshei yeshiva must transmit these directives clearly to their talmidim. For any issue, whether personal or communal, one must contact the Vaad before taking any step. Each yeshiva should appoint a staff member as liaison to the Vaad for any complicated situations that arise.
4. We express our deep admiration and support to every ben yeshiva by name. Fortunate are you to stand strong in Torah despite these trials. May your hands grow stronger in learning. Do not fear or falter. We are united with you in purpose and spirit, and we will not rest until this evil decree is nullified with Hashem’s help. Until that time, we will stand by your side in every possible way.
5. Roshei yeshiva are urged to inspire their students, elevate their spirits, and reaffirm our sacred mission. The transmission of Torah from generation to generation through the walls of the yeshiva kedosha will not and cannot be altered. We must strengthen our lomdei Torah, offer guidance, lift those whose resolve is weakening, and bring closer those who risk becoming distant. Everything is at stake.
6. As Bein HaZmanim approaches, we remind all bnei yeshiva of the absolute obligation to maintain regular Torah study. It is forbidden to neglect it, even during this time. All the more so, in this sensitive period, one must avoid idling in the streets. As Chazal said: Lamah tisaru? Why draw attention? Avoid inappropriate places entirely. Most importantly, behave in a way that brings kiddush Hashem, not the opposite. As Chazal say in Maseches Yoma: when people see someone who has learned Torah, they say, “See how noble his ways, how refined his actions. About him it is said: ‘Yisroel, in whom I take pride.’”
{Matzav.com Israel}
