Tens of thousands of Torah scholars in locations throughout Eretz Yisroel and the entire world continue to strengthen themselves in Torah study and prayer, and in all the yeshivos and Torah centers measures have been taken to strengthen and increase Torah study without interruption, especially during times of laxity, such as on these long Fridays and Shabbosim. Many yeshivos have already incorporated Fridays within the regular weekday schedule, complete with shiurim and review. In other places, Friday sessions were established separately for mornings or afternoons. Reports come in that the botei medrash are full and in many yeshivos, the students have signed commitments for added hours of uninterrupted study.
Also in America, scenes of public Kiddush Hashem took place this past Sunday in the yeshivos where masses of bnei Torah responded to the clarion call of their roshei yeshiva regarding the need for strengthening Torah study everywhere at this critical time, as established by the gedolim in Eretz Yisroel: HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman and HaRav Chaim Kanievsky.
Speaking in Beit Shemesh at the atzeres of Kolel Ateres Shlomo—Eretz Hatzvi, HaRav Chizkiyohu Mishkovsky said, "The Rosh Yeshiva said that if toil in Torah were greater, we would be spared these decrees and when no one listens [to this advice] they will have to cry out"
HaRav Binyamin Rimer, in a talk in Yeshivas Kiryas Melech, said: "If we reinforce ourselves in Torah study, all harsh decrees will be nullified. Therefore all the gedolei Torah plead, again and again, that part of our fortifying ourselves be focused on Fridays and Shabbos, and may the merit of Torah stand us by to abolish all these terrible decrees."
HaRav Yisroel Meir Druk addressed those present in Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel: "The Rosh Yeshiva aroused us regarding the succession of uninterrupted study during weekends which is so surprising at how many hours are wasted on the long Fridays and the Shabbosos, and to this must be added the importance of uninterrupted study during the weekdays as well."
