The Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Dovid Lau, has penned an open letter addressed to bnei yeshiva as the winter zeman draws to a close and the Pesach bein hazemanim looms ahead.
Opening with a solemn acknowledgment of the challenging times faced by the people of Israel, Rav Lau reflects on the ongoing conflict both in the south and north, highlighting the heavy toll it has exacted. He notes the courageous efforts of numerous individuals who, at great personal risk, stand as sentinels defending the nation’s borders and safeguarding its populace.
Continuing his missive, Rabbi Lau said, “The Torah world is on the top of the public agenda. Many are encouraging and provoking the hands of enmity, hate, and polarization. This reality obligates all of us, everyone needs to think how he can do his duty in his position.
“The axiom ‘The Torah defends and protects’ transcends mere rhetoric; it embodies a lifestyle unaffected by the vagaries of time.”
Addressing the yeshiva students directly, the Chief Rabbi issues a call to action: “The winter zeman is about to end and yeshivas will begin vacation. Especially during these days in light of the situation, we must strengthen our learning sedorim. [During] the vacation …even then we must set permanent study times, to add the light of Torah and merits for the entire Jewish nation and to merit the soldiers who are in the difficult war.
“We must ignore all fights and provocations, to root out the hatred and polarization between us. We must search for what unifies us. The bnei yeshiva have the responsibility to strengthen the Torah and to increase respect for Heaven and now is the time to aim for the way of truth and peace.”
{Matzav.copm Israel}
Can you explain to me how yeshiva students in this current environment take vacation from limud hatorah, why yeshivos start emptying out right after purim? Hayitachayn? If limud hatorah by even marginal Talmidim is our protection (as espoused by a sector of the chareidi public), then these marginal bochurim and yeshivos should be learning right until erev pesach the same way the real shtark bochurim and avrechim are.
The “war” is only in the media. Except for the fact that the hostages weren’t released, there’s no proof there’s even a war. It’s quiet near Gaza and IN Gaza and all of Israel.
I don’t know what planet you’re living on, or maybe you’re in an alternate universe, but as a Jew in Eretz Yisroel, living in a chareidi city, there most definitely is a war, a real, live, sweaty, bloody, dangerous war. You can pretend it’s not happening but you’re being judged in Shomayim for hardening your heart to the suffering of your brothers and sisters.
The whole notion of “Bein Hazemanim” is a recent invention. Yes, in Europe it my have been a two-week journey from Minsk to Pinsk. So, some had to take off from Rosh Chodesh just to get back to their families for the Seder. But today with planes and other transportation, why do buchurim need to pile out starting already from after Purim?
There’s much more that needs to be done in today’s world than in pre-War Europe. As well, these boys, who learn from about 7 AM to 11 PM, give or take, including on Sundays, need to get things done that typical working people do either on Sundays or after work.
So how do you answer for all of those famous pictures of Rav Aaron ZTL Rav Baruch Ber ZTL Rav Chaim Ozer ZTL etc etc relaxing in a wooded area during a well needed vacation?
Btw, only working pleasure seeking baale batim “deserve” a vacation? Only rich people in monster mansions are allowed to take a vacation? Not the poor yungerman?