Maran Rav Dov Landau, Slabodka rosh yeshiva, responded Monday night for the first time to the public controversy surrounding remarks that were widely interpreted as criticism of soldiers from the Religious Zionist community.

Speaking at a gathering of community rabbonim organized by the Ichud Bnei Yeshiva, Rav Landau sharply criticized the way his private comments had been portrayed following their publication.

“As was proven over the past day when remarks I made during a private conversation were published, those motivated by hatred of the unlearned approached those words with distortion and complete misunderstanding,” Rav Landau told the assembled rabbonim.

His comments came after widespread reaction to the publication of a private meeting at his home with the heads of Yeshivas Mir, during which he spoke critically about what he referred to as the “knitted-kippah community.”

The controversy sparked strong reactions from across Israel’s political spectrum. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu firmly rejected the remarks, saying that “IDF soldiers deserve the deepest appreciation.” In response, Degel HaTorah issued a forceful statement defending Rav Landau and warning critics, “Beware of speaking against the Torah giants.”

During the same gathering, Rav Landau also addressed yeshiva students, offering guidance for the upcoming bein hazemanim period.

“During bein hazmanim, you may encounter people whose way of life is different from ours. It is essential to avoid any ideological arguments with them,” the rosh yeshiva emphasized. “Our worldview is clear to us from our rabbonim, the mighty giants of the land, from whose teachings we draw.”

Rav Landau further cautioned bnei yeshiva against engaging in debates with “people who, under the banner of their beliefs, persecute the Torah and those who study it.”

According to Rav Landau, such individuals “are incapable of understanding or accepting our worldview, which was the worldview of our great rabbonim, the Chazon Ish and the Brisker Rav zt”l.”

{Matzav.com}