Tens of thousands of Sephardic yeshiva students and supporters gathered Monday evening in Bnei Brak for a massive protest against the continued arrest of yeshiva students, as leading Torah authorities vowed to intensify the fight against efforts to draft full-time Torah learners into the military.

Held under the theme, “A Gathering Honoring Torah to Strengthen Yeshiva Students and the Torah World,” the rally filled Eshel Avraham and Harav Rabinov streets, which were closed to traffic for the event. Leading rabbonim, members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, community leaders, and public officials joined the crowd in denouncing what they described as the persecution of those whose lives are devoted to Torah study.

The gathering opened with remarks from Rav Shabsai Levi, mara d’asra of Ramat Aharon and head of the Halichos Moshe institutions, who bemoaned the growing number of yeshiva students being imprisoned.

Rav Nissim Ben Shimon spoke about the persecution of lomdei Torah, quoting the Talmudic teaching that one who disgraces Torah scholars has no remedy for his affliction. He lamented that yeshiva students are now being arrested simply because they are learning Torah.

Rav Aryeh Yazdi of Kollel Torah Chaim warned of the spiritual dangers associated with military service, arguing that the army promotes behavior fundamentally at odds with Torah values. He sharply criticized the military leadership, referring to the imprisonment of a soldier over a note relating to Moshiach, and condemned what he described as the moral atmosphere within the army.

Rav Shlomo Machpud, head of the Yoreh Deah rabbinical court and a member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, declared that neither threats nor economic sanctions would deter the Torah community. He stressed that no government has authority over Torah study or the spiritual lives of yeshiva students and called for unity under the guidance of the leading Torah sages.

Rav Zamir Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Avnei Nezer, cited the Torah’s promise that devotion to Torah brings Divine protection and victory. He said that the very act of gathering together to proclaim “Moshe is true and his Torah is true,” while affirming that the Torah is “our life and the length of our days,” carries the power to overturn harsh decrees.

Rav Levi Pinchasi, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Or Avraham, argued that the military has no genuine interest in drafting yeshiva students and instead seeks to secularize them. Referring to testimony allegedly given by a senior military commander in court, he said the army “doesn’t need them; it only wants to secularize them.” He added that just as Haman failed in his attempt to destroy the Jewish people, these efforts would likewise fail.

The keynote address was delivered by the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, president of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, who urged yeshiva students not to fear imprisonment if they remain faithful to Torah.

“When Torah scholars sit and learn, they are the chosen people. If they arrest you, go to prison with your heads held high and a sefer in your hand. I have spoken with many of those who were imprisoned. Ninety-five percent of those arrested are Sephardim. We are living in a racist country. You are the emissaries of the Jewish people.”

Following the speeches, the assembled Torah leaders signed a formal declaration outlining the rally’s resolutions.

The first resolution called on Israel’s government, military authorities, and judicial system to stop interfering with Torah scholars through arrests and other measures intended to compel military service. The declaration stated that yeshiva students and kollel members are the pillars upon which the world stands and warned that without Torah and those who devote themselves to it, there is no right to existence—either generally or in the Land of Israel. It concluded by declaring that Torah is the nation’s protection and salvation.

The second resolution pledged that if, G-d forbid, another yeshiva student or kollel member from Bnei Brak is arrested, all of the city’s rabbonim will unite and travel to Prison 10 to protest, pray for the annulment of the decree, and undertake whatever additional actions the leading Torah sages direct. The statement also declared that the entire chareidi community, both in Israel and throughout the world, stands firmly behind the Torah learners.

The third resolution urged rabbonim in every city to organize similar efforts, standing behind their local yeshiva students and kollel members, protecting the honor of Torah, and strengthening them so that no one would be tempted to abandon the path of Torah.

An additional statement from the senior member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, Rav Moshe Maya, was appended to the declaration. Citing the Torah’s promise that those who toil in Torah are blessed with prosperity, security, and peace, he warned that mistreating Torah scholars brings severe punishment and is the source of the nation’s suffering, wars, and persecution. He also cited the Talmud’s account of Rabi Akiva publicly teaching Torah despite the mortal danger involved, explaining that public Torah study is what protects and sustains the Jewish people.

The rally concluded with an emotionally charged recitation of the Yud Gimmel Middos and Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim, led by the renowned mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades.

{Matzav.com}