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Statement of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America

By BJLife News Room

Posted on 02/20/13 | Comments (7)

Emphasizing the central role that Torah study plays in ensuring Jewish continuity and strengthening Jewish security, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America has expressed its deep concern regarding the effort to revoke the longstanding exemption for yeshiva students from the Israeli military draft.  Following is the text of the statement of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America:

בס''ד

אדר תשע''ג

נדהמנו למשמע אזנינו על התעמולה באה''ק לגייס בני הישיבות ולהוציאם מכותלי בית המדרש, מעיין התורה אשר הם שוקדים עליה . נצח ישראל והבטחון של עם ה' מושרש בעסק התורה הקדושה, וכדברי רבותינו ז''ל (מכות דף י.) על הפסוק עומדות היו רגלינו בשעריך ירושלים, מי גרם לרגלינו שיעמדו במלחמה, שערי ירושלים שהיו עוסקים בתורה.

אנו פונים להיושבים בממשלה שלא לפגוע בשום אופן בבני הישיבות ובעסק התורה כי היא חיינו ואורך ימינו והיא תוליכנו קוממיות לעד ולעולמי עולמים.

מועצת גדולי התורה בארה''ב

LOOSE TRANSLATION

Adar 5773

We are deeply dismayed by the efforts in Eretz Yisroel to draft B’nei Yeshiva and remove them from the Beis Medrash, the wellspring of Torah to which they dedicate their days and nights. The perseverance and security of Hashem’s people are rooted in its dedication to Torah study, as Chazal comment on the posuk “Our feet were standing at your gates, Yerushalayim”: “What will enable our feet to stand firm in war?  The gates of Yerushalayim, where [Jews] devote themselves to Torah study.”

We appeal to the members of the government in Israel not to take any steps that will in any way negatively affect the B’nei Yeshiva and their study of Torah.  For Torah study is “our life and the length of our days,” which will “lead us, upright, forever.”

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America


Photo Caption: Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah meeting held today at Agudath Israel Headquarters. L to R: Rabbi Ahron Feldman, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel; Rabbi Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld, Mattersdorfer Rov; Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel; Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva of Philadelphia; Rabbi Yosef Harari-Raful, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivat Ateret Torah; Rabbi Dovid Feinstein, Rosh HaYeshiva, Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim; Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh HaYeshiva, Bais Medrash Govoha; and Rabbi Aaron Schechter, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin. Not shown, Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Levin, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivas Telshe Chicago, who participated by phone. (Photo Credit: Hillel Engel)


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Reader Comments

#7

#6 - Questioning the decision or action of "our Holy rabbis", is not a bizayon or a sin. Saying that asking a question regarding the decision of a "holy rabbi" a bizayon, is a bizayon.

#6

Seriously Jeff...what is the moderator review intended for if every comment denigrating our Holy rabbis is posted. the sin of Bizui Talmud chochom is great.

#5

"none of their business" what is this website coming to?

#4

The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America would have more credibility on the issue is they made Aliya and encouraged others to join them. Maybe that is what's holding back the final Geulah and the army would no longer be necessary.

#3

I wonder what they would have so say about the many bochurim learning in the Hesder yeshivos in EY. They too learn the same Torah at a high level. Yet they and their families also feel a sense of responsibility to defend the borders of Eretz Yisroel, which includes Bnei Brak and Geulah. These statements are equivalent to stipulating that the Hesder bochrim are welcome contributors--as Shabbos Goyim.

#2

When the gedolim in EY meddle in issues that only affect Chutz Laaretz, it is at best annoying, and generally gets laughed off (crocs on YK, abridged hataras nedarim). EY Gedolim don't understand the issues that we have in CHU"L. So why is it the the Moetzes in the US thinks they have any business commenting on issues that only affect EY. I am not saying that I agree or disagree with the Moetzes' stance, I am saying that it is none of their business. Just like we expect the gedolei EY to defer to the CHU"L gedolim for CHU"L issues, the CHU"L gedolim should do the same. Besides, which lawmaker in EY cares what the American Moetzes says. Just stay out of it. Often being quiet is being smart.

#1

These rabbis need a dose of reality administered to them. If these students are indeed the Israeli equivalent of conscientious objectors, they should be subject to an alternative type of national service. It is no mitzvah to be a Nero fiddling while Rome is burning.