Matzav.com

[Video below.] A video has ignited debate over the issue of military service for bnei yeshivos, featuring a thoughtful exchange between a secular driver and several yeshiva bochurim. During the conversation, one of the students offered a heartfelt explanation of how he would respond to a mother whose son is serving on the front lines in Gaza, concluding that while every profession is essential, “talmidei chachamim are needed more than anything.”

The video shows a secular driver transporting several yeshiva bochurim. During the ride, he raised the emotionally charged topic of drafting bnei yeshivos and asked one of the students how he would answer a mother whose son is currently fighting in Gaza or Lebanon.

The yeshiva bochur responded by sharpening the question itself.

“Everyone asks the question: What do I, as a yeshiva bochur, say to a mother whose son is in Gaza? At a time when soldiers are being killed in Gaza and Lebanon, there is a mother who cannot sleep at night because she knows there is a chance that a drone could strike her son, while my mother sleeps peacefully knowing that I am sitting and learning in yeshiva.”

He acknowledged that it is “a powerful and legitimate question,” but argued that the issue should be viewed from a broader perspective.

“Not every mother of a soldier lies awake at night. There are mothers of army cooks, broadcasters on Army Radio, or guards stationed at bases in central Israel. The military includes many roles that are not directly dangerous, yet every person has his own mission.”

At that point, the driver interrupted, saying, “I understand your message, but whether a mother loses sleep doesn’t determine the importance of the role. Every person is a meaningful cog in a much larger system.”

The yeshiva bochur agreed, replying, “That’s true, but it’s important to understand that every person in the world has a mission. Someone whom Hakadosh Baruch Hu designated for Torah study has been privileged with that mission.”

He continued by explaining that, while his words might sound extreme to some, they reflect the Jewish understanding of the nation’s identity.

“Maybe this sounds extreme, but it באמת isn’t. We didn’t become a nation at the signing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We became a nation thousands of years ago, when we stood together at the foot of Har Sinai and received the Torah.”

He went on to cite the opening of the Aseres Hadibros, saying that the first commandment, “Anochi Hashem Elokecha,” teaches that Jews are obligated to follow Hashem’s will. He added that the mitzvah of “vehagisa bo yomam valaylah” is fulfilled most completely by yeshiva students who devote their lives to Torah learning instead of pursuing careers or other occupations.

Concluding his remarks, the student said, “We sit from morning until night and learn Torah. As arrogant as it may sound, it’s true—we are the heart of the Jewish people. The Jewish nation has always stood, and will always stand, on Torah. And again, we need an army, we need doctors, we need architects, and we need people to pave roads.”

“But more than anything, we need talmidei chachamim. Because talmidei chachamim are not merely a tool that enables us to live—they are the very essence and soul of our nation.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email [email protected].

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email [email protected].

LISTEN:

Rav Moshe Maya, senior member of Shas’ Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, on Tuesday sharply distanced himself from inflammatory remarks directed at IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during Monday night’s protest rally in Bnei Brak, saying such language is inconsistent with the values of the Torah.

In a special public statement issued following the controversy, Rav Maya stressed that while the rally’s purpose—to protest the treatment of lomdei Torah and opposition to enforcement of the draft law—was important, the language used by one of the speakers was inappropriate.

Opening his letter with the words, “Deracheha darchei noam v’chol nesivoseha shalom,” Rav Maya wrote, “I was deeply pained to hear the remarks that were made against the chief of staff during last night’s important rally protesting the humiliation of lomdei Torah.”

His statement marked a clear rebuke of the comments, which sparked widespread political and public criticism.

Rav Maya went on to emphasize that such rhetoric has no place in authentic Torah conduct, writing unequivocally, “This is not the way of the Torah to speak in such a manner.”

He concluded his statement by expressing appreciation for Israel’s soldiers, writing, “We customarily pray at every hotzaas Sefer Torah, on Shabbos and weekdays alike, for the success of the soldiers who sacrifice themselves for the safety of Am Yisroel.”

Rav Maya signed the letter with the words, “Written and signed for the honor of the Torah and those who toil in it, and with great appreciation for the soldiers.”

{Matzav.com}

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email [email protected].

LISTEN:

The family of Rav Aryeh Yazdi says he has no intention of apologizing for or retracting the controversial remarks he made about IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during Monday night’s protest rally in Bnei Brak, despite widespread condemnation from political and rabbinic leaders.

In comments to Israeli media, the rav’s wife and family defended his statements while acknowledging the public backlash. According to his wife, “The rav does not intend to apologize.”

The controversy erupted after Rav Yazdi referred to Zamir during the rally as, “Cursed, may his name and memory be erased.” The remarks drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, the Shas party, and senior Shas leader Rav Moshe Maya.

Rav Yazdi’s eldest son, Rav Yehuda Yazdi, said his father’s words stemmed from deep personal anguish rather than hostility.

“My father lives entirely within the four cubits of halachah. He has no interest in the media. When he heard about a chareidi soldier who was placed in solitary confinement because of a ‘Moshiach’ patch, his heart simply broke.”

He insisted that the comments were motivated by concern over the treatment of bnei Torah and chareidi soldiers rather than politics or personal animosity.

“He cannot stand by when he hears what is happening to lomdei Torah and chareidi soldiers. My father has brought dozens of people closer to their Father in Heaven. He does not act out of hatred.”

Rav Yazdi himself said that his remarks had been a “slip of the tongue.” However, responding to the condemnations issued by the prime minister and Shas, he added, “They have done nothing for the bnei Torah.”

Seeking to ease tensions with Shas, Rav Yehuda Yazdi emphasized the family’s respect for the party’s leadership.

“We respect the representatives of Shas. If they have objections, they are welcome to speak with my father. The appearance that has been created is terrible.”

He also expressed confidence that his father’s longstanding friendship with the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, would endure despite the controversy. Meanwhile, Rav Moshe Maya issued a public statement stressing, “This is not the way of the Torah to speak in such a manner.”

Sources close to Rav Yazdi said that he does not grant media interviews and said his speech at the rally had been delivered only after consultation with, and with the approval of, rabbanim.

“The remarks delivered at the rally were made after consultation and with the agreement of rabbanim. As a talmid of Maran Rav Shalom Cohen zt”l and Rav Shimon Baadani zt”l, he was asked to convey the message.”

Addressing reports about government funding received by his institutions, Rav Yehuda Yazdi rejected claims that his father personally benefits from significant public support.

“Contrary to the misleading reports, my father receives only about 600 shekels from the state for the kollel. The budgets that were publicized belong to the entire nonprofit organization, which operates many institutions, and not to my father’s institution.”

He concluded with a message of unity, saying, “The Jewish people need to love one another.”

His mother, however, made the family’s position unmistakably clear, declaring, “The rav will never retract the things he said.”

As previously reported, Shas issued an official statement condemning the remarks, saying the extreme comments “do not reflect the views of our rabbanim of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah” and are “contrary to the path of the Shas movement, which was bequeathed to us by Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zy”a.”

{Matzav.com}

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email [email protected].

LISTEN: