Ahead of Elul, Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein issues a fiery call to yeshiva students, urging them to stand firm against government draft measures he says threaten the very core of Jewish learning.
Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein, a senior member of Degel HaTorah’s Council of Torah Sages, has issued a stark letter of support to yeshiva students as the month of Elul begins, condemning Israel’s current draft policy as an assault on Torah study itself.
“We are currently in great distress,” Rabbi Zilberstein wrote, “as they want to remove the yeshiva students from their Torah study, and even take some of the yeshiva students to imprisonment.”
Citing Rabbi Dov Lando, one of the leading Lithuanian-haredi authorities, he declared:
“The Exile is increasing its burden on us, and it is a great trouble that Jews are persecuting Jews because of Torah study.”
Despite his fierce criticism, Rabbi Zilberstein’s letter was also a rallying cry. He urged yeshiva students to enter the new term with renewed strength, stressing that their commitment to uninterrupted Torah study makes them the true protectors of the Jewish nation.
“Be strong and courageous,” he wrote, “do not let your hearts soften… engage in Torah at all times and hours, without idle talk.”
The letter concluded with a blessing of hope and deliverance:
“And may we soon merit to be saved with eternal salvation, and may all the evil decrees be nullified for all of Israel.”
