In a powerful address delivered at the conclusion of bein hazemanim, Rav Moshe Tzadka, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef, spoke passionately about the growing challenges facing the Torah world and sharply criticized those who oppose it. Speaking before hundreds gathered at the central yeshivas bein hazemanim in the Shmuel HaNavi neighborhood of Yerushalayim, he reminded the audience that “we have nothing but the holy Torah,” emphasizing that Torah remains the Jewish people’s ultimate source of strength and protection.
The summer bein hazemanim has now come to an end, and thousands of yeshiva students are returning to their daily learning. This week, hundreds crowded into the bais medrash near Rav Tzadka’s home to hear his heartfelt words of inspiration, delivered to strengthen their commitment to Torah despite the mounting societal pressures.
Rav Tzadka addressed the increasingly difficult challenges facing the Torah community, both from within and from outside forces. “The trials grow from day to day,” he declared. “But our effort and toil in Torah, even in these times, are our weapon and our strength.”
At the peak of his drasha, Rav Tzadka turned directly to those he described as persecuting the Torah world, responding sharply to calls for universal army enlistment. “‘They say everyone should join the army?’” he asked with deep anguish. “These are the most foolish of the foolish, people who never learned Torah!”
He continued forcefully: “They should be passing a law that everyone must go to yeshiva! That’s what the yeshiva students are doing! But these poor fools — where did they ever learn anything? They are like children who were raised without knowledge!”
Rav Tzadka stressed that the very foundation of the Jewish people’s existence rests solely on the Torah. “What is the Jewish nation without Torah? We have nothing but the holy Torah!” he proclaimed, making it clear that no substitute exists for deep dedication to Torah study.
Quoting Chazal, Rav Tzadka reminded the gathering: “What should a person do to be saved from the trials of the era of Moshiach? He should immerse himself in Torah!” He emphasized that complete devotion to Torah study is the only true response to the challenges of this generation.
{Matzav.com Israel}
