A prominent member of Shas’ Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah delivered a sharp attack on Israel’s attorney general and the High Court while defending the efforts of chareidi representatives working to secure legislation protecting the status of bnei yeshivah.

Speaking to his talmidim at Yeshivas Maor HaTorah, Rav Avraham Salim, addressed growing frustration within the yeshivah world over the ongoing draft crisis and the efforts to regulate the status of lomdei Torah.

Rav Salim pushed back against criticism directed at Shas representatives, insisting that they have been working diligently on behalf of bnei Torah.

“There are many yeshiva students who are very angry at the representatives and claim that they are doing nothing. That is not true!” the rosh yeshivah told his talmidim. “The representatives are trying, I know! Both in the past and today, they are searching for every possible way to regulate the status of Torah learners.”

The senior rosh yeshivah then turned his attention to Israel’s legal establishment, sharply criticizing both the attorney general and the High Court.

“The attorney general and the High Court justices are working together and fighting in every possible way. The attorney general is a modern-day Izevel, and the High Court is Yerovom ben Nevat. They have joined forces with the left, and they are persecuting Torah learners.”

Rav Salim’s comments come amid mounting criticism within the chareidi community toward Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, whom many blame for obstructing attempts to pass legislation addressing the status of bnei yeshivah and lomdei Torah.

His remarks echoed comments made earlier in the day by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who accused the attorney general of deliberately undermining the legislation.

“The anarchist attorney general, who has been removed from office, did everything possible to torpedo the law,” Deri said.

Rav Salim also addressed the demonstrations and protests that have accompanied the battle over the draft issue, urging his talmidim to stay away from such activities.

“The protests and demonstrations, what is happening in the streets, do not help—they are harmful! And they completely take a person away from learning,” he said.

The rosh yeshivah cautioned that participation in confrontational protests can negatively affect a person’s character and spiritual development.

“When a person becomes accustomed to violence, it is not good. It harms his personality. One must make efforts—whether through meetings or phone calls—but should try as much as possible to remain closely aligned with the guidance of the rabbanim.”

{Matzav.com}