Dovid Menachem Mintzberg, who sat in military prison for 40 days for the “sin” of limmud Torah, was greeted with a jubilant crowd when he was finally released last week.
Mintzberg is one of three avreichim arrested at a protest against the chillul kevarim at an ancient beis kevaros in Yehud and then transferred to military prison. The other two avreichim are still in prison.
Mintzberg spent a significant portion of his imprisonment in isolation for refusing to wear a military prisoner uniform for religious reasons.
Upon his exit from the prison gates, he was greeted with singing and dancing by relatives, friends, and neighbors and reunited with his infant son.
On the way to his home in Beit Shemesh, the crowd stopped at the Bnei Yerushalayim shul, at the entrance to the city, where a l’chayim and lively singing and dancing were held in his honor. Later, they arrived at the Sha’arei Rama Beis Medrash, and more dancing took place on the streets.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Why does Yeshiva World continue to describe noncompliance with the national draft mandated of all Jewish Israeli equally as being “arrested for the sin of limud Torah”? There is no prohibition whatsoever against studying Torah—whether as children or adults, in yeshiva, in the army, or even in prison.
We are rightly outraged when the other side exaggerates, distorts, or spins the narrative. Why then does Yeshiva World feel justified in doing the same when the shoe is on the other foot?
The way this is being portrayed is misleading and harmful.
Dovid Menachem Mintzberg was not arrested in the middle of limud haTorah in a beis medrash. He was arrested at a protest against alleged chilul kevarim—where, as is typical, the majority of peaceful protesters were left alone, and only those who provoked, broke the law, or disrespected law enforcement were taken into custody. To frame his imprisonment as being “for the sin of learning Torah” is not accurate.
In reality, much of his extended sentence came from his refusal to wear what amounts to a meaningless prison uniform. This choice, while painted as heroic, was at the cost of taxpayer resources, further separation from his infant son, and greater tension with the authorities. That is not martyrdom—it is provocation.
Let’s also not forget: in times of crisis, need, or threat, these are the very same individuals we call upon as our first responders and protectors. They are God’s messengers in safeguarding Am Yisrael, and they deserve our respect and acknowledgment, not contempt.
Our community needs to show greater maturity. Instead of condoning, protecting, or even celebrating this type of behavior, we should recognize that such actions damage our credibility. We can and should have principled disagreements with other hashkafos—but they should be expressed respectfully, in a way that reflects our role as true Charedim.
Even if we differ from religious Zionists, we must acknowledge their sacrifices. They serve and defend Klal Yisrael without abandoning their limud haTorah or shemiras hamitzvos. Their philosophy is imperfect—as is ours—but they deserve respect, not dismissal.
If we expect others not to distort or exaggerate against us, we cannot justify doing the same when it suits our narrative.
This is a Jewish warrior, not the silly guys running around with m-16s
He would be even more happy, if he could actually see all those young boys who do have to serve and risk their lives fighting in the army.