Rav Avraham Salim, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Maor HaTorah and a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, has sent a personal letter of chizuk to a yeshiva bochur imprisoned by the Israeli military over the ongoing draft controversy, assuring him that the Torah world stands with him and davening for his swift release.

The letter was addressed to Eliyahu Dabada, a talmid of Yeshivas Orchos Meir in Yerushalayim, who is being held at Military Prison 10 in connection with his military service status.

In the letter, dated Tuesday, October 13, Rav Salim expresses his deep pain over the bochur’s imprisonment and offers words of encouragement intended to strengthen him during his ordeal.

Rav Salim invokes the words of Dovid Hamelech in Tehillim, “Gam ki eilech b’gei tzalmaves lo ira ra ki Atah imadi” — Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

The rosh yeshiva uses the posuk to remind the imprisoned bochur that the Ribbono Shel Olam remains with a Yid even in the most difficult circumstances, including when he is confined behind prison walls.

He praises the bochur for his dedication to Torah learning and encourages him to remain steadfast despite the difficulties of his imprisonment.

Rav Salim also conveys that the bochur is not facing his ordeal alone, emphasizing the support and concern of the wider Torah community.

The letter concludes with heartfelt brachos that the bochur merit a speedy release and be able to return to his yeshiva and continue his learning in peace.

In his letter, Rav Salim sharply criticizes the government’s treatment of yeshiva students, writing that he was deeply distressed to learn that Dabada had been imprisoned because he was a bochur whose life is devoted to Torah study. He expresses the hope that those responsible for the arrests will do teshuvah.

One of the letter’s central messages is that the Shechinah accompanies the bochur even inside the military prison. Rav Salim tells him that being detained because of his dedication to Torah is a source of spiritual distinction and urges him to remain strong in emunah, Torah and yiras Shomayim.

The letter has also received the support of Rav Yehuda Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Yekirei Yerushalayim and a member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, who added his signature and a personal message of encouragement.

Rav Cohen writes about the spiritual significance of Torah learning within prison walls, encouraging Dabada to continue learning with diligence and joy even during his confinement. He offers a bracha that the bochur should soon emerge from darkness into light and continue growing in Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Dabada was arrested early Tuesday morning at his parents’ home in Be’er Sheva, according to Hebrew media reports. Military police reportedly arrived at approximately 4 a.m. and took him into custody over his failure to report for military service.

He was initially brought to a military facility in southern Israel before being transferred to Military Prison 10, where he was sentenced to 20 days of detention.

Following his arrest, the bochur’s family contacted the Am Kadosh organization, which arranged legal assistance.

The arrest also prompted a gathering outside the military prison Tuesday evening, organized by Yeshivas Orchos Meir under the leadership of its rosh yeshiva, Rav Meir Vaknin.

Talmidim, rabbonim and alumni assembled outside the prison for tefillos and divrei chizuk, expressing solidarity with their imprisoned fellow talmid and calling for his release.

During the gathering, the yeshiva’s rabbonim encouraged the bochurim to strengthen their commitment to Torah learning despite the continuing arrests.