This past Motza’ei Shabbos, a dramatic scene took place in the home of Harav Mosher Sternbuch shlit”a in Beit Shemesh, when a bochur from Yeshiva Or Yehuda who has been pursued by the military police came to seek chizuk and daas Torah.

The bochur had recently been arrested in the middle of the night for the “crime” of learning Torah and refusing to enlist in the army. After being held in Tel Hashomer prison, he managed to secure a temporary release through the courts. But once the authorities realized what had happened, the military police began actively searching for him again.

Out of concern, the bochur was brought to the gadol, who received him warmly and encouraged him: “Ashrecha! This requires real mesirus nefesh. Over there, one is corrupted immediately. They promise that everything is good, that it’s somehow suited for yeshivah bochurim, but it’s all lies and sheker. They are resha’im arurim. Hold yourself strong, and the Ribono Shel Olam will hold you strong as well.”

When asked whether the bochur should be afraid of the threats from the military police, Rav Moshe responded: “Nothing at all. Tell them to speak with Rav Sternbuch, who has paskened that it is assur for you to go to the army.”

The Gaavad gave the bochur a heartfelt brachah: “You should have the koach to stand strong against them, with much hatzlachah and, above all, simchah gedolah.”

Later that evening, another bochur who also narrowly escaped capture came to see Rav Moshe, who again gave warm brachos: “Ashrei chelko – he already has a brachah and will yet receive more. He stood in the test, and he will continue to stand in the test.”

“Be strong. Don’t think only you are afraid of them — they are also afraid of you.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)