HaRav Dov Landau Shlit”a to IDF Commander: “The Army Does Not Protect Us — The Torah Protects Us”

In a heated exchange between Rav Dov Landau shlit"a and an IDF commander, the main topic of discussion was why more bnei Torah aren't helping the war efforts. This took place Dec 2023, two months after the horrific Oct 7th attack and subsequent start of the war.

Introduction

A recent conversation between HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a, one of the leading Gedolei HaDor, and an IDF commander has drawn wide attention. In their exchange, the commander pressed the case for military service and national defense, while HaRav Landau firmly responded that the survival of the Jewish people depends solely on Torah learning. The dialogue highlights the deep divide between the secular state’s view of security and the Torah outlook on protection and continuity.

Transcript – Dialogue Between HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a and IDF Commander (Edited for readability)

IDF Commander:
“Say what you want about it, but I want a partnership — a real partnership. They are the protectors, you are the protectors, not only the army. Since the Holocaust, don’t tell me about the ‘mystical community.’ I know them.

Torah! You were alive then? What were you during the Holocaust? I was. My grandfather — my grandfather was destroyed. So tell me, what should we do then? The threats are real. The country must be defended.”

HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a:
“We do know what Hashem wants from us. And only the Torah scholars know this. The great Torah students, they carry the nation. These matters have layers upon layers, hidden depths that cannot be measured by generals or politicians. And this — this is what protects us.

It is written in the Torah: ‘When the land comes to rest from its wars…’ The mitzvah is to write and declare that the Torah will stand forever, unmoved by even one word. The army does not protect us. The Torah protects us. The yeshiva students protect us. Without Torah, we have nothing.”

IDF Commander:
“But in reality, soldiers risk their lives every day. They guard borders, they fight wars. Without an army, what will we do? Isn’t there also value in that?”

HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a:
“You cannot argue with Hashem. You cannot calculate with human reasoning. Torah is above everything. From Har Sinai until today, Torah is what has protected us.

The Holocaust itself testifies: those who clung to Torah, who lived for Torah, carried the Jewish people and rebuilt it after destruction. Do not tell me of the army and its officers. The Torah is Hashem’s army. Torah is the true protection, then and now.”

IDF Commander:
“But the state says the burden must be shared. Every citizen must take part. That is fairness.”

HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a:
“Understand this: Torah scholars are the ones who carry Klal Yisrael. Every word of Torah is a shield, every pasuk is a wall of protection.

When there is a decree to take yeshiva students from learning and force them into the army, that is a decree against Hashem Himself. For Hashem has said: ‘If not for My covenant of day and night, the laws of heaven and earth would not endure.’ The covenant is Torah. Without Torah, the world itself cannot stand.

Soldiers without Torah are nothing. And if a soldier learns Torah, it is that Torah — not his weapon — that protects him.

This is not new. The Chazon Ish said it, Rav Shach said it, Rav Elyashiv said it. To draft yeshiva students is to destroy Klal Yisrael. Torah is what holds us. Without Torah, there is no Israel.

Therefore, we cannot agree, we cannot give in, and we cannot be silent. We must stand firm and declare: Torah is our life, Torah is our protection, Torah is our existence.

Hashem will see our sacrifice and dedication and He will protect us — not through the army and not through weapons, but through the Torah itself.

This is our emunah. This is our tradition. This is our truth. And it will never change.”