In a special talk in his home, the Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Gershon Edelstein said:

"We are in the time of Bein Hazmanim, which are times of weakness in learning Torah in parts of the community. Truly there is no time in which we are absolved of the obligation to learn Torah. The obligation to learn Torah is constant, at all times. It says, "You should think about it day and night," and it does not mention, except for bein hazmanim. On the contrary, the obligation during bein hazmanim is greater since there is weakness and there is less zchus Torah.

A major landmark of Paris, the Church of Notre Dame with its prominent spires, suffered a major fire on Monday 10 Nisan-April 15. Much of the roof was destroyed, along with its prominent spire. The church was the site of the 13th century Paris Trial where prominent Jewish sages, including several Baalei Tosafos, were forced to participate in a disputation about the value of the Talmud which resulted in a decree to burn thousands of manuscripts.

This essay was originally published in 5754 (1994). It discusses the basis of faith in the miracles of redemption from Egypt and the giving of the Torah at Sinai. At the time there was publicity about the writings based on communication with autistic children, and HaRav Karelitz discusses this and dismisses its value.