(From the left) HaRav Hillel, HaRav Hirsch, HaRav Lando, HaRav Segal, HaRav Salim
The unique and historic visit of eminent Torah leaders from Eretz Yisroel headed by HaRav Dov Lando has captured the attention of the Torah world at large, It was launched at dawn this past Sunday with the landing of their flight.
The entourage arrived at Lakewood that afternoon and was climaxed in the very streets with tens of thousands participants who thronged to express their homage to Torah and be partners in shouldering the yoke of the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel during this most challenging period.
Headed by Maran HaRav Dov Lando, the delegation consisted of the prominent figures of HaRav Don Segal, HaRav Yaakov Hillel, HaRav Avraham Salim, the Admor of Rachmestrivka, joined as well by HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch who had arrived a week before to rouse the public of yeshiva supporters in assisting to establish a joint fund for the Torah world at this very critical time facing the Torah community in Eretz Yisroel.
(From the left) HaRav Salim, HaRav Hirsch, HaRav Lando
The keynote opening address based on Torah study in Eretz Yisroel was presented by HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who, having assumed the heavy burden of this expedition, has spent several days in the U.S. in advance to temper the hearts of philanthropists to come to the aid of Torah during this trying time. His words emanate from a torn, suffering heart delivered in English in light of the pressing, urgent need and circumstances.
Among the poignant messages expressed from a deep, pulsing heart, penetrating the hearts of his audience, he told the following story of a prominent rosh yeshiva who called him, bemoaning his terrible situation. He had counted on the promised government allocation to pay the monthly stipend for the avreichim and the ramim he employed but without this income, he was left penniless. HaRav Moshe Hillel said that he too was helpless, but suggested that friends from abroad who appreciated the cause might pitch in with aid.
HaRav Hirsch told his audience that this was by far not a single case of this kind but a mass dilemma. All of the yeshivas in Eretz Yisroel stand before an empty trough, a bottomless pit. If we don't do something about this situation, he insisted, many yeshivos and kollelim will simply cease to exist.
Part of the crowds greeting the gedolim
