Following the massive vehicle protest, the Sephardic olam haTorah is preparing for a major atzeres ze’akah to be led by the former Rishon LeZion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, together with leading roshei yeshivah and rabbanim. The gathering marks a significant escalation in the Sephardic chareidi community’s response to the ongoing gezeiras haGiyus and the recent arrests of bnei yeshivah.

The planned rally comes amid mounting public outrage over the detention of bnei Torah who did not report to the military draft offices, as well as violent confrontations that have taken place on major roadways. Organizers view the event as a public cry on behalf of the olam haTorah in the face of what they see as an unprecedented assault on Torah learning.

Speaking in an interview with Kol Barama Radio, Rav Shabtai Levi, mara d’asra of the Ramat Aharon neighborhood in Bnei Brak and rosh mosdos of Halichos Moshe, described the deep concern with which Rav Yitzchak Yosef regards the current situation.

“The rally will take place in the city streets in order to raise an outcry over the harm being done to Torah learners,” Rav Levi said. He emphasized the extraordinary nature of the event, noting: “Rav Yosef has committed himself to this mission with all his strength and was prepared to cancel his regular and traditional weekly lesson at the Yazdim Shul in Yerushalayim for this purpose – a historic institution dating back to the days of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, which has almost never been canceled.”

“The rav will send a replacement there and will come physically to Bnei Brak out of the understanding that we can no longer remain silent in the face of the scenes we have witnessed in recent days.”

Rav Levi went on to describe the anguish being felt throughout the chareidi community over the arrests of bnei yeshivah and demonstrators, likening the treatment of lomdei Torah to the desecration of precious Sifrei Torah.

“The budget cuts and the closure of daycare centers – we could still have managed with that,” Rav Levi said. “But we have reached the stage of harming yeshiva students and avrechim, who are the ones carrying the burden of Torah study. Taking young men and dragging them on the ground? How did we reach such a situation?”

The atzeres is expected to be held near the Halichos Moshe institutions in Bnei Brak’s Ramat Aharon neighborhood. Rav Levi stressed that, despite the heightened emotions, organizers are committed to ensuring that the gathering remains entirely peaceful, without confrontations or road blockages, and serves solely as an expression of grief and protest.

“This will be an event completely without violence and without any provocations,” he promised. “This rally is entirely about mourning, pain, and lamentation. It is going to be an occasion that will truly feel like Tisha B’Av, and everyone who feels the pain of the situation is obligated to attend.”

{Matzav.com}