Rav Avrohom Salim, member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, visited Yeshivas Orchos Meir in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Yerushalayim following the sentencing of one of its bochurim, Eliyahu Dabada, to 20 days in military prison over the army draft issue.

The visit, which took place Thursday, was intended to strengthen the yeshiva’s bochurim amid growing concern over the arrest and imprisonment of yeshiva students who have not reported for military service.

Rav Salim delivered a special address to the bochurim, offering words of encouragement and emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in their Torah learning despite the uncertainty surrounding the draft controversy.

The imprisonment of Dabada has generated concern among his fellow bochurim and the yeshiva’s leadership, particularly as enforcement proceedings against chareidi young men have become an increasingly contentious issue in Israel.

The case comes against the backdrop of a broader struggle over the status of yeshiva students, with chareidi rabbonim and political representatives warning that the military’s enforcement policies threaten the ability of young men to continue their studies uninterrupted.

Rav Salim’s visit took place Tuesday, October 20, when the yeshiva interrupted its regular afternoon learning session to receive him. Hundreds of bochurim greeted the Rosh Yeshiva with enthusiastic singing as he entered the study hall, accompanied by the yeshiva’s Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Meir Vaknin.

During an approximately 20-minute address, Rav Salim spoke about Dabada’s imprisonment and the responsibility of yeshiva students to remain committed to their learning.

The visit also carried a political message ahead of the upcoming elections. Rav Salim told the bochurim that, in his view, the appropriate electoral choices for a Torah-observant voter were Shas and United Torah Judaism.

His remarks included references to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, whose parties have attracted some support among younger chareidi voters.

When the question arose as to which party the bochurim should actually support, Rav Salim directed them to consult their own Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Vaknin, and follow his guidance.

Dabada was arrested on October 7 at approximately 4 a.m. at his parents’ home in Be’er Sheva by military police. He was subsequently transferred to Military Prison 10 and sentenced to 20 days of confinement.

Following his arrest, Rav Salim, Rav Moshe Maya, and Rav Shlomo Machpud sent letters offering him encouragement and support.

Hundreds of students and alumni of Orchos Meir also gathered outside Military Prison 10 in a demonstration organized at the direction of Rav Vaknin. The gathering included prayers, singing, and expressions of solidarity with their imprisoned fellow student.

The case has also generated political controversy. According to an October 19 report by Army Radio correspondent Mordechai Halperin, members of Shas’s Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, including Rav Maya and Rav Salim, had expressed interest in personally visiting Dabada in prison.

Dabada’s family reportedly began coordinating the proposed visits with his attorneys, but the report alleged that Shas officials intervened to discourage the visits because of concerns about their possible effect on the party’s election campaign.

{Matzav.com}