An exalted atmosphere was felt at the recent historic meeting of gedolei Yisrael and members of the Vaad Hayeshivos at the home of HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman for the purpose of fortifying the Torah world in its pure form. Long before the actual meeting, intense preparations vitalized the public, which gathered outside the area. Renowned rabbonim arrived one after another to join in assuming protective vigil for the yeshivos.
The gathering was called in order to deflect continuous attempts from the outside and from within to undermine the purity of the yeshivos, with the Vaad Hayeshivos being that body founded by gedolei Yisrael as the prime organization assigned by the gedolim of past generations to stand on guard and to represent the yeshivos in dealings with the government defense authorities. The Vaad Hayeshivos has, indeed, done so and protected the yeshivos from threats, operating throughout according to the guidance of gedolei Yisrael as direct representatives of our rabbonim against all attempts to subvert and disturb Torah study. The gathering chose the symbolic timing to commemorate the 74th year since its establishment in Eretz Yisrael.
Following is the message of HaRav Shteinman at this gathering in his home:
"We find ourselves in a situation where Jews seek to uproot Torah. Throughout the generations, this objective was carried out by goyim but today, to our dismay, Jews are those who seek to do so. While we have the guarantee that `Torah shall not be forgotten from his seed,' nevertheless, in order for this promise to be fulfilled, we must toil and strengthen the yeshiva halls, and for this end, we need exceeding Heavenly mercy."
