JERUSALEM (VINnews) The rabbis of the city of Bnei Brak issued a special letter to Roshei Yeshiva and Mashgichim, urging them to warn yeshiva students not to participate in demonstrations.

The letter was signed by the rabbis Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Isaac Landau, Rabbi Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and Rabbi Masoud Ben Shimon.

In their letter they wrote:

“We come with a request and heartfelt plea to protect the souls of our young ones, who are being harmed in the streets of our holy city. In this difficult period, when even the smallest spark can ignite a consuming fire that does not distinguish, Heaven forbid, for destructive forces have been unleashed causing damage to the education of our sons and yeshiva students, to the refinement of conduct, and to the gentle spirit in which the words of our sages are meant to be heard, leading, G-d forbid, to moral corruption.”

“Especially in this time, it is necessary to strengthen the ‘voice of Jacob’ and to remain within the tents of Shem and Ever, the synagogues and study halls, the tents of Torah. All the more so regarding confrontations with police and security forces, and acts of property damage, from which the young flock must completely distance themselves.”

“We must channel, with all our strength, the boiling emotions of the youth so dear to us into the fervor of Torah, the fire of prayer, and the battle against the evil inclination, cultivating proper character traits. Heaven forbid, ‘where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.’ If the youth are not guided and do not heed the roshei yeshiva and educators, Heaven forbid, disorder will prevail, people losing control, damaging property, becoming liable under the laws of damages, and uttering statements that cause terrible desecration of God’s name, which could, God forbid, set ablaze the vineyard of Israel.

“This concerns our very lives!”

“The educators must forbid leaving the yeshivot for the city streets, repeatedly warn against lingering outside study halls and educational institutions, and ensure that movement through the streets be only when absolutely necessary, as one fleeing danger. Students must be warned to avoid areas of friction and rising tensions, and to flee from them as one flees a fire, for it is truly a consuming blaze.”

“May the Merciful One see our efforts for these children and hasten our redemption, sending Eliyahu Hanavi, the herald of salvation, as our sages taught that he comes only to bring peace to the world, to reconcile fathers and sons.”

Signed in pain, prayer, and supplication.