At a dramatic emergency meeting held Monday evening at the home of Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, dozens of prominent roshei yeshiva convened to raise their voices against the ongoing legal and governmental pressure facing the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel.
The urgent meeting was opened with Tehillim by Rav Betzalel Pinchasi, rosh yeshiva of Birchas Ephraim.
In his opening remarks, Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, nosi of the Ponovezh Yeshiva, spoke about the financial straits in which yeshivos find themselves, and the essential role that the Keren Olam HaTorah has played in allowing Torah institutions to continue functioning this past year.
Representing roshei yeshiva across the country, Rav Daniel Wolfson of Nesivos HaChochmah called upon Rav Landau to once again turn to generous donors around the world to support Torah learning during this precarious time.
But it was Rav Landau himself who issued the strongest and most emotional call to action, declaring from the depths of his heart, “The judicial authorities are increasing their oppressive decrees and now threaten to draft our yeshiva bochurim. It will not happen! The government has yet to solve this issue, and our minds are fully occupied with this danger. We cannot stand idly by. All avenues are open to us when it comes to this matter — the heart and soul of our people.”
Rav Landau recalled how, just a year ago, in the wake of harsh judicial rulings that halted government funding for yeshivos and kollelim, Torah leaders traveled overseas to establish Keren Olam HaTorah. “Together with other gedolei Torah, we launched an emergency campaign,” he said, “and with tremendous siyata d’Shmaya, generous and righteous donors stepped forward, not only giving from their own resources, but also taking upon themselves the burden of fundraising vast sums.”
He emphasized that wherever they traveled, they witnessed extraordinary generosity from people moved by their deep love of Torah. “The kavod Shamayim was uplifted by the passionate ahavas haTorah and mutual responsibility of Yidden across the globe. The needed funds were raised and distributed fairly and honestly, and the halls of Torah continued to shine with increased vigor,” Rav Landau said.
Now, he explained, the time has come to act again. “I feel personally obligated to once again undertake this mission, despite the great difficulties involved. I ask you all to daven for me, that Hashem should grant me strength and healing, so I can travel once more to protect our yeshivos and kollelim, the crown jewel of creation. May Hashem help us, and may this evil decree be swiftly nullified.”
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, also addressed the gathering, noting that donors have already reached out to express their willingness to once again stand by Olam HaTorah. “It is their zechus to support Torah,” he remarked.
Rav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, described the emotional response of Jewish communities around the world to the previous fundraising mission, which saw Rav Landau personally travel from community to community to secure support for Torah.
Closing remarks were delivered by Rav Dovid Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron, who expressed awe at Rav Landau’s strength and leadership. “Despite his advanced age and having undergone surgery just days ago,” Rav Cohen said, “he stands and declares: We are flying abroad to stand with the Olam HaTorah.”
A message from the Vizhnitzer Rebbe was delivered to the assemblage by Rav Menachem Ernster, rosh yeshiva of Vizhnitz.
Also present at the gathering were other roshei yeshiva, including Rav Tzvi Drebkin, Rav Shraga Shteinman, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, and others, including Rav Moshe Chaim Dendrovitz on behalf of the Gerrer Rebbe and and Rav Yosef Moshe Dov Halberstam on behalf of the Sanzer Rebbe.

{Matzav.com Israel}