Amidst the ongoing discussions surrounding the conscription law, National Unity leader MK Benny Gantz undertook a visit to Bnei Brak to visit Yeshivas Rashbi rosh yeshiva Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel Hatorah.
The meeting took place at Rav Bergman’s residence in Bnei Brak.
At the outset of their dialogue, Rav Bergman conveyed that he represented the sixth generation of his family in Eretz Yisroel, tracing back to a period preceding the presence of Arabs in the region.
In response, Gantz expressed his intention not to seek a compromise on the conscription law, but rather to pursue agreements.
The rosh yeshiva responded that compromise couldn’t be applied to matters of Torah, asserting that “we do not own the Torah that we can compromise on.”
He further recounted instances when his father-in-law, Maran Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach, would grieve upon hearing of soldiers’ deaths.
The rosh yeshiva emphasized the significance of the Torah in history, highlighting its role as our constant companion, even in times of displacement and absence of weaponry.
Upon mentioning the start of the school year, the rosh yeshiva reflected on how his father-in-law would fast on the first of September, lamenting the fact that numerous children embarked on their education without knowing how to recite the Shema.
Later in the conversation, MK Benny Gantz articulated the importance of national unity and striving for consensus.
Sources suggested that the timing of the visit, occurring just prior to a coalition meeting regarding the conscription law, served as a subtle signal to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that alternative perspectives existed within the chareidi community.
Subsequently, Gantz visited Rav Bergman’s yeshiva, Yeshivas Rashbi, where he observed the talmidim engrossed in their learning.
Following the visit, Gantz conveyed his feelings, stating, “I was happy to meet the talmidei chachomim in Bnei Brak and to meet with the rosh yeshiva Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, one of the leaders of the chareidi community, for the beginning of the Elul zeman. The study of the Torah is of enormous importance in the preservation of Judaism for thousands of years. Along with this, we must continue to fight and preserve Israel’s security and unity as well.”

{Matzav.com Israel}