In a rare and unprecedented gathering, three members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel of America traveled to Washington, D.C. today for a private meeting with Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, to discuss the increasingly sensitive issue of the proposed draft law and its potential impact on the Olam HaTorah worldwide.
The delegation included Rav Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir Brooklyn, Rav Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore; and Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. All three are members of the Moetzes.
The meeting, which lasted close to an hour, took place at the Israeli Embassy and was arranged through the initiative of R’ Shlomo (Sol) Werdiger, chairman of Agudas Yisroel of America.
At the heart of the conversation was the legislation regarding yeshiva bochurim being drafted into the IDF, an issue that has sparked widespread opposition from the chareidi community both in Israel and abroad. The roshei yeshiva strongly emphasized that the Torah world in the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Klal Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel, united in its commitment to safeguard the spiritual integrity of bnei Torah.
Ambassador Leiter, himself a shomer Torah u’mitzvos, warmly welcomed the rabbonim and expressed deep respect for their leadership. In a personal moment during the discussion, Leiter shared that his father had been a close talmid of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel.
The roshei yeshiva left their yeshivos at the very start of the Elul zeman in order to address what they view as an existential threat to the foundation of Torah life in Eretz Yisroel.
Due to the highly delicate nature of the discussions, no further details were disclosed regarding specific policy requests or proposals. However, Ambassador Leiter expressed gratitude for the delegation’s involvement and assured them that communication would remain ongoing as developments unfold.
{Matzav.com}
