US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the home of HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau in Bnei Brak on Wednesday.
The fascinating meeting lasted about 25 minutes. During the conversation, the Rosh Yeshiva raised the topic of the crisis of the Olam HaTorah amid the draft law negotiations.
HaRav Landau asked the ambassador to convey a direct message to US President Donald Trump about the importance of lomdei Torah to the Jewish people and the need to ensure the continued existence and prosperity of the Olam HaTorah even in challenging times.
“Please, tell him that the Jewish people live and exist thanks to the Torah. Those who learn Torah are the protectors, and their status must be maintained and their value sanctified,” the Rosh Yeshivah said.
“It is important for me to tell the ambassador that the community of Torah and mitzvah observers here in the Holy Land is in a difficult situation these days, as the judicial system is issuing arrest warrants against yeshiva students for the ‘crime’ of studying Torah.”
Huckabee replied, “I do understand that as important as it is to have soldiers, you must also have scholars—scholars who remind you who you are, why you’re here—and soldiers to protect and keep what G-d has given.”
After Rav Dovid Hofstedter, the Nasi of Dirshu, translated the ambassador’s words, the Rosh Yeshivah said: “Halavai more Jews don’t understand that.”
The Rosh Yeshivah also asked to convey his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for standing by Israel: “A blessing to the malchus shel chessed, to President Trump and the Ambassador for their behavior that was for the sake of justice and truth, to bring peace to the world. They uphold justice and goodness in the world.”
A source close to the ambassador said that he listened to the remarks with great respect, showed great interest in the Chareidi sector and the uniqueness of the Olam HaTorah, and even asked a number of questions on the subject.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
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15 Responses
Why were the 3 “bochrim” arrested?
How heartbreaking it is that even the US ambassador non-jew understands the importance of learning much more than a very large number of Jews today. I guarantee you’ll never see this man speaking against the rabbi he’s talking to, but we have modern fakers Among Us who do
Yes, let’s lobby American President against biometrics for people who possibly do not learn.
In what way does the Rosh Hayeshiva want ambassador Huckabee to ask President Trump to pressure the Israeli government on the draft issue? Withhold weapons? That way Israel would be left without enough soldiers as well as weapons to defend its populace, including the charedim.
During the times of Romans, Rabeinu (Yehudah HaNasi) Hakadosh negotiated with Cesar (Marcos A.) Anthoninous a complete civic exception for all Beni Yeshiva.
There’s a term for a Jew who complains to non-Jews about the actions of their fellow Jews.
an Israeli Yid
Important correction:
“After Rav Dovid Hofstedter, the Nasi of Dirshu, translated the ambassador’s words, the Rosh Yeshivah said: “Halavai more Jews don’t understand that.”
No, he was communicating that Halevai more Jews * do * understand it – not “don’t understand”.
Please consider and correct.
If you make a negative comment about Jews to a Jew,
that is Lashon HaRa.
If you make a negative comment about Jews to a goy,
that is Chillul HaShem.
NOBODY was arrested because they studied Torah;
they were arrested because they refused
to comply with the military draft.
To say they were arrested because they studied Torah
is sheker and Mozti Shem Ra and Chillul HaShem.
@jpa – Rome ruled the area at the time – so negotiating with them on the status of Yeshivos was legitimate. Here? It’s more similt to the story of Hyrkanos and Aristoblus, which is what led to Rome taking power from Beis Chashmonai.
an Israeli Yid
No one is arrested for learning Torah.
A young man can learn Torah during every day of his army service.
The rosh yeshiva is spreading misinfirmation.
Hopefully now the US will offer political asylum to Israeli Orthodox Jews.
Just like the US is already doing for white South Africans.
anIsraeliGoy: The actions being complained about aren’t of “fellow Jews”; but, rather those why eat Chazer and drive on Shabbos.
jpa, do you have a source for your assertion?
AmIsraelYid, correct.
The Israeli government is arresting draft evaders, some of whom might beb learning Torah.
I hate the dishonesty. They are not being arrested for learning Torah. For example, if someone steals in order to support a kollel lifestyle and gets arrested, he’s not arrested for being lomed torah, he’s being arrested for stealing. The fact that he chose to use those funds for learning is irrelevant to the arrest. So too here, they are being arrested for avoiding the draft. The fact that they choose to learn with the time they save from avoiding the army is irrelevant to the arrest.
@ujm – I have to say I much prefer your calling me anIsraeliZionist – at least that’s a true statement. This? Not so much – which, I suppose, makes sense, given that the rest of your comment is equally false. You do seem to specialize in name-calling and Motzi Shem Ra when something is non in line with your warped worldview – so this is par for the course.
an Israeli Yid