Following his return from a fundraising trip to the United States on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, received a visit at his home from the leadership of Yeshivas Mir. The delegation included Mir Rosh Yeshiva Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel and the mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, who came to express their appreciation for Rav Landau’s extraordinary efforts on behalf of the olam haTorah.

During the conversation, Rav Landau also spoke forcefully about members of the Religious Zionist community whom he said advocate military service and place the interests of the state above Torah values.

The following is a transcript of the exchange:

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “We came simply to thank the Rosh Yeshiva for his tremendous mesirus nefesh on behalf of the olam haTorah and for our yeshiva.”

Rav Landau: “Yasher koach.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Yasher koach to you.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “It strengthens all of us. It obligates us…”

Rav Landau: “I didn’t come to strengthen you. I came so that you would have money to pay.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “That is our responsibility, and it obligates everyone.”

Rav Landau: “Hashem should help that we won’t have to travel again.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Amen. May Hashem grant the Rosh Yeshiva strength for many years.”

Rav Landau: “I’m not becoming any younger…”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “It’s incredible—the level of mesirus nefesh.”

Rav Landau: “It’s true that it is very difficult, but there is no other choice.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “But even amid all these gezeiros, we see rachamim. We see Yidden opening their hearts. That gives us some encouragement.”

Rav Landau: “From America?”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “Yes.”

Rav Landau: “Why shouldn’t it be that way? The gezeiros come from someone else. The wicked people are here. What can be done? There are wicked people… and among those who wear kippot serugot, no less.

“I’m referring to those with kippot serugot who insist that people must go [to the army]. If the state… I would ask them, according to their own approach—although they don’t really have any consistent approach, according to their foolishness—if the state sends soldiers to fight merely for the honor of the state, and people are killed, is that also permitted? That is actual murder.

“So they are inciting murder. That is what they are doing. They wage wars not only for the sake of saving lives, but also for the honor of the state.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “It’s frightening.”

Rav Landau: “Certainly. This is nothing new. So is that permitted?”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Hashem yishmor.”

Rav Landau: “They act for the honor of the state, making it into a supreme value—or something of that sort.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “But what should we daven for? That they should do teshuvah?”

Rav Landau: “I only mentioned that as a side point, but…”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “Yes, yes. So should we daven that they do teshuvah? Regarding those who inform on others, what should we have in mind?”

Rav Landau: “I don’t know. It will be good—I don’t know. We should ask Hashem that things should be good. We are not going to give Him advice. It will be good.

“This is a difficult and very serious situation. Hashem should help through our tefillos. There are all kinds of ideas, all kinds of suggestions, all kinds of implications, as people say—but I don’t know. The situation… We should daven to the Ribbono Shel Olam that everything should pass like a dream, be blown away like the wind, and disappear like a vanishing cloud.”

The Roshei Yeshiva: “Amen, Amen.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “The yeshiva accepted the strengthening of a taanis dibbur. Boruch Hashem, it has had a tremendous impact.”

Rav Landau: “Really?”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Yes.”

Rav Landau: “Wonderful, wonderful. Ashreichem. That is something truly great.”

{Matzav.com}