Baruch Yitzchakov, the yeshiva bochur who was held in military prison for 13 days over charges of army desertion, was released on Sunday to scenes of singing and dancing. He had been represented throughout his case by Agudas Bnei HaYeshivos.
As he walked out of the military facility, Yitzchakov was greeted joyfully by friends and supporters who broke out in celebration.
Speaking immediately afterward in an interview, he described his experiences during the detention and the powerful encouragement he received from visits by Gedolei Yisroel.
“Gedolei Yisroel danced with us and sang with us,” he said with emotion. “They brought us life, and we felt an incredible uplift and elevation that not everyone merits to experience.”
Among the most moving moments for him was a visit from Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka. “Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch told me, ‘I want to stay here with you for Shabbos,’ but they told him it wasn’t possible,” Yitzchakov recalled.
He added that the constant protests outside the prison gave the detainees tremendous strength. “We felt the thunder of the protests from outside, and it strengthened us greatly and lifted all of our spirits. Now I will have more strength to learn, after the uplifting experience in prison.”
Yitzchakov’s brother, Rafael Yitzchakov, a talmid of Yeshivas Meoros HaTorah, is also being held in military prison and is scheduled to be released this coming Thursday.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Cheers from all of us.