This evening, the Rosh Yeshivah of Ponevezh, Rav Berel Povarsky, wrote a letter to the thousands of talmidim of Yeshivas Ponevezh. This year, in light of the current situation, the Rosh Yeshivah calls upon them to intensify their avodah for Purim while exercising heightened caution, particularly by refraining from drinking and intoxication, as these days require exceptional vigilance.

He opens his letter: “To the precious bnei hayeshivah — The days of Purim are sacred days of accepting the Torah with love and willingness, and the bnei hayeshivah merit a special privilege to establish a seder of Torah study for several consecutive hours on the night of Purim in the holy yeshivah. Indeed, it is a breathtaking sight to behold the heichal hayeshivah on the night of Purim filled to capacity, with the bnei hayeshivah engaged in Torah in close friendship — fortunate is the eye that sees this. It is a lofty kiddush Hashem, and it brings awakening and strengthening in the love of Torah, with toil and diligence.”

The Rosh Yeshivah continues: “The unique quality of the day of Purim is that it is the day on which the Torah was accepted with love and willingness, and the mitzvos of the day encompass the three pillars upon which the world stands. Since the acceptance of the Torah was renewed with love — which is a superior acceptance — it is fitting to understand that at that moment the entire world was elevated, and a renewed creation of the world comes through Torah accepted out of love. Therefore, in the mitzvos of Purim as well, it is appropriate to enhance and beautify all three pillars. The words of the fast and its outcry represent the concept of avodah — service of the heart, which is tefillah, corresponding to the korbanos. Mishloach manos and matanos la’evyonim stem from the realm of chessed. Thus it is well understood that all the mitzvos of Purim form one unified whole upon which the world stands — and of course the study of Torah with love and joy. And Chazal already said in Tanna D’vei Eliyahu (Chapter 18): ‘What joy does a person truly have other than in words of Torah alone?’”

Addressing the present reality, Rav Povarsky writes with pain: “Unfortunately, we find ourselves within a fog and fear, and none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, this year it is incumbent upon us to strengthen ourselves with greater intensity and greater resolve — and especially to be cautious regarding matters that impair sound judgment, and to refrain from intoxication, for caution is particularly necessary in these days.

“Beyond this, we must utilize these days to strengthen ourselves in tefillah and supplication before Hakadosh Baruch Hu, especially on Taanis Esther and the days of Purim, whose purpose is to demonstrate the truth of what the Torah promised us — ‘Who is a great nation that has God so close to it as Hashem our God whenever we call to Him,’ as the Rambam writes.”

He concludes: “In this merit we shall be granted eternal salvation, and Hakadosh Baruch Hu will perform miracles for us as He did for our forefathers.”

{Matzav.com}