“Battle of Rage” and Yom Tefillah: Klal Yisroel Mobilizes Against Arrests of Bnei Torah
The pressure campaign against yeshiva bochurim has sparked an unprecedented dual response this week: public demonstrations of protest alongside massive atzeros tefillah called by Gedolei Yisroel across the country.
On Wednesday morning, Peleg Yerushalmi declared “war” in the wake of the latest arrests and imprisonments of bnei Torah. In a fiery statement, the Va’ad for the Hatzalah of the Olam HaTorah reported that Rabbanim gathered at the home of HaGaon HaRav Ezriel Auerbach, shlit”a, where the directive was given to embark on a relentless “battle of rage” against the authorities until the message is clear: persecuting lomdei Torah has a price.
The statement continued:
“Masses of bnei Torah are gathering today near Prison 10 to proclaim that whoever declares war on the Torah world will encounter a determined struggle without compromise.”
At the same time, the Gedolei HaDor have called for a sweeping spiritual response. On Tuesday, HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, shlit”a, and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlit”a, issued a joint call for Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul to be designated as a full yom tefillah throughout Eretz Yisrael and beyond.
Instead of one centralized atzeres in Yerushalayim, simultaneous gatherings will be held “b’rochovos ha’ir” in communities across the country, with Yidden uniting in tefillah and tachanunim to annul the harsh gezeirah hanging over the Torah world.
The plan, announced after a historic meeting of Litvish and Chassidish Gedolim in Ma’aleh HaChamisha, includes:
- A day of hisorerus and added limud Torah
- Bitul melachah, with Yidden refraining from regular work unless absolutely required
- A half-day fast for men from age fifteen and up, with those unable to fast giving tzedakah as a pidyon
- Yidden in chutz la’aretz urged to join through fasting, tzedakah, and heartfelt tefillos
The Badatz of the Eidah HaChareidis has likewise called for the day to be observed with fasting, tefillah, and crying out to Hashem for mercy.
Together, these responses reflect a two-pronged message: Klal Yisroel will not be intimidated by midnight arrests or threats of prison. On the ground, there will be public demonstrations of protest. In Heaven, there will be a mighty kol Torah and kol tefillah rising from every corner of the Jewish world.
As Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul approaches, the call of the Gedolim is clear: strengthen limud Torah, increase ahavas Yisrael, do teshuvah and tefillah, and remember that our true defense and salvation come only from Hashem.