The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah met this past Monday evening (25 Av) for an emergency discussion on how to deal with the threat of army mobilization for bnei yeshivos. Nonmember rabbonim participated as well. The Moetzes culminated the gathering with a series of decisions relating to the yeshiva public and a special appeal to the government heads "not to change anything regarding the status quo affecting Torah students, as has been the norm in Eretz Yisroel in the past."
The meeting was opened with greetings from HaRav Chaim Kanievsky read by HaRav Avraham Broide, dayan in HaRav Nissim Karelitz's beis din and Rosh Kollel Zichron Kelm, which noted his regrets in being unable to participate in such an important meeting due to health reasons.
Present at the meeting were the members of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah: HaRav Nissim Karelitz, HaRav Yitzchok Scheiner, HaRav Gershon Eidelstein, HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, HaRav Arye Finkel, HaRav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger, HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, HaRav Boruch Dov Povarsky, HaRav Dov Yaffe, HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, HaRav Yehuda Adess and HaRav Dovid Cohen.
Decisions Arrived At in the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Gathering
After expressing great shock and distress, it was declared:
We call upon all our brethren wherever they be, especially upon the bnei yeshiva and kollel avreichim, to fortify themselves in Torah study — all the more in the upcoming Elul.
We appeal to all of our brothers and fervently encourage them not to fear, for the survival of Jewry throughout the generations has only been in the merit of Torah and mitzvos, and by preserving the pure character of the Jewish people.
The Moetzes appeals directly to the heads of the government not to make any changes whatsoever in the status of Torah scholars as it has been here in Eretz Yisroel.
The Moetzes instructs all the roshei yeshiva to tell those students who are called up to the draft not to sign any document committing themselves in any manner relating to military service.
The eyes of all Israel are lifted up in prayer to the Creator of the World that he hasten our redemption, and in the hope that a new light will shine on Zion and Hashem will be King of all the World.
