In a rare and unique letter to the rav of Odessa, HaRav Shlomo Bakst, and in a message of chizuk to all the community rabbonim who are in the midst of exile with their flocks and students, fleeing from the war front, not having yet found a permanent haven — HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, who is in touch these people also in normal times, sends words of encouragement and direction.
He writes:
"Torah has no designated 'place.' Wherever there are Jews who keep and study it, there can it be found and that is its place. Sometimes it picks itself up and goes to a safe refuge permanently, but sometimes it must move on. Even under difficult circumstances, Torah is preserved and practiced properly, according to the will of Hashem, without compromise.
"The gemara (Eruvin 55) quotes, 'By the command of Hashem they encamped and by the command of Hashem the moved on [keman dekavia lhu] according to what He directed.' When one does everything according to Hashem's will, under all circumstances, then even when they [are forced to] move on, they occupy the designated place of Torah. If one acts under all circumstances and in every place according to our Torah leaders and in the path of our yeshivos, it will lead you to a refuge where you will be able to continue to disseminate Torah, elevate it and increase its grandeur."
In his letter, he added, "Neither the building nor the organizations are primary but the Torah and it students therein, who travel with you, per the word of Hashem with their wandering staffs. Wherever a yeshiva student travels, the yeshiva is with him, and this is your duty and mission at this point: to rescue the bodies from 'destruction, death, and annihilation,' and to reinforce the resolution of 'they kept and they committed' to guard over the souls and thus to merit 'light — this is Torah' and to renew the days as of yore.
"Bear this in mind and tell it to all the rabbonim who proceed in these days of danger by the pillar of fire before the camp of their flock and their students: by the word of Hashem they encamp and by the word of Hashem they move on.'"
In a message to all of Klal Yisroel, he added:
"During your troubled time, which includes all of Jewry, know that we share your distress. All of us must unite in prayer and pour out our pleas for your salvation and the salvation of all Klal Yisroel.
"To my dear friend, Rabbi Shlomo," he added on a personal note.
"I visited Odessa several years ago. I saw firsthand your prodigious activity for Torah and the various institutions which you operate, the yeshivos and Bais Yaakov schools, in the midst of your exceptional and vibrant kehilla.
"These did not spring up by themselves. You gathered them to you, bereft and paupers both in body and soul, but by the time I found them, they were already restored, keeping Torah and mitzvos, with many amongst them students of Torah in fine yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel and abroad.
"We must not allow your holy work to be disturbed for you have been shown great wonders of Heavenly assistance. May you thus continue with renewed strength with Hashem's help.
"Trust in Hashem forever more for He is the Rock of the World. And may those who know Your Name continue to trust because He will not abandon those who seek Him. Hashem desires for the sake of righteousness that Torah increase and be glorified.
"My dear friend, HaRav Bakst, convey our heartfelt blessings and message to all Jewish communities and with His help, we will emerge reinforced to continue to do His work."
