In a dramatic and forceful drashah delivered for Shabbos Hagadol, Rav Moshe Sternbuch warned that the greatest danger facing Klal Yisroel is not external enemies, but internal spiritual decline and government policies.
Thousands streamed Thursday night to the main beis medrash of the Dushinsky chassidus in Yerushalayim to hear divrei Torah from the senior posek. As is customary each year before Pesach, Rav Sternbuch addressed a packed crowd that included senior rabbonim, members of the Badatz Eidah Hachareidis, admorim, and prominent Torah figures, all seated without ceremony as they listened intently.
Opening with profound Torah insights, Rav Sternbuch soon turned to urgent issues confronting the community. Speaking with deep emotion, he addressed the security situation and the broader challenges facing the Torah world.
He said, “The Chazon Ish already said: I am not afraid of the bombs; I am afraid of the desecration of Shabbos, because that is what causes the bombs. And today as well, we say: we are not afraid of the missiles from Iran—we are afraid only of the leaders here who are defiling the people of Hashem and trying to take yeshiva bochurim into an army that is entirely heresy and apostasy.”
Rav Sternbuch also spoke strongly against efforts impacting the yeshivos, including closures and funding cuts, emphasizing the foundational role of Torah learning.
He said, “These criminals here do not understand that the entire world stands on the Torah of tinokos shel beis rabban. This is literally the destruction of the world.”
He then shared a personal and emotional recollection from his family’s past during the war in Russia, when they maintained a hidden yeshiva in Minsk under a regime of terror, sacrificing everything for Torah until they were exiled to Siberia. From this, he issued a call for unwavering resolve.
He said, “One must stand strong with mesirus nefesh, without any compromise.”
In another part of the address, Rav Sternbuch sharply criticized those who ascend the Har Habayis against halachic guidance, warning that such actions provoke danger.
He said, “There are those who provoke the nations and ignite a fire of hatred. About this it is said: ‘Who asked this of you, to trample My courtyards?’ This is unnecessary and dangerous provocation, and it must be protested with full force.”
Following the drashah, a rare and notable moment took place in the beis medrash, as Rav Sternbuch personally distributed financial assistance to rabbonim of the Eidah Hachareidis through his private fund, Kupas Tamchin D’Oraisa.
Amid financial strain and delayed salaries within the Eidah, Rav Sternbuch organized a group of donors—including supporters connected to Satmar and benefactors of his yeshiva in Beit Shemesh and the well-known kollelim of Teshuvos V’Hanhagos—to provide relief ahead of Yom Tov.
He reviewed the checks and personally handed envelopes containing $1,000 grants to each rov and moreh horaah. In total, more than $100,000 was distributed to dayanim and members of the Badatz, in coordination with the leadership of the kollelim and the Vaad Hapoel of the Eidah Hachareidis.
This is how I feel too.
Rav Sternbuch shlit”a is 100% right. The secular government who violates Shabbos and Shmita, allows the sale of pork, taints the country with immoral and antithetical Torah values, should be blamed for the deaths and injuries in this war.
Without the spiritual shield provided by those who dedicate their lives to Torah and Mitzvos, the state would has no foundation to stand on.
Is that really true? Says who? Do Chazal not give reasons and zchuyos for why some of the wicked kings of the Ten Shevatim had zchoyos that allowed them to stay around and win over stronger enemies even though they were a LOT worse than the current Israeli government?
I can’t think of any of them who Chazal attributed their staying around to the mere presences of those who those who dedicated their lives to Torah and Mitzvos in their kingdoms. Or said they have no zechyos because of their many Averos. While the posuk does refer to Eliyohu Hanavi and then later Elisha as being their protectors (רֶ֚כֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפָ֣רָשָׁ֔יו) Chazal explain that to be because of their constant tefilos on behalf on them. Are you taking on that responsibly?