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How Does Torah Learning Protect Klal Yisrael?

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How Does Torah Learning Protect Klal Yisrael?

A Thorough, Multi-Layered Torah Answer — From Tanach to Today

The idea that Torah protects Klal Yisrael is not poetic license. It’s not just a feel-good slogan used to defend the yeshiva world.

It is one of the deepest truths embedded throughout our entire Torah—from pesukim in Tanach, to sugyos in Shas, to the writings of the Rishonim and Acharonim, and echoed passionately by every gadol in recent history. The Charedi claim that yeshiva bochurim are protecting the Jewish nation with their learning is not a dismissal of responsibility—but the assumption of the highest form of responsibility.

Let’s walk through the sources, with clarity and reverence.

Tanach — Torah as the National Shield

  1. Yehoshua 1:8 – “לא ימוש ספר התורה הזה מפיך… כי אז תצליח את דרכך” Hashem tells Yehoshua that success in conquering Eretz Yisrael depends on constant Torah learning—not military tactics. This was the first “battle plan” of Am Yisrael: Torah first, then victory¹.
  2. Tehillim 119:92 – “לולא תורתך שעשועי אז אבדתי בעניי” Dovid HaMelech declares that Torah was his salvation amid suffering. Without it, he would have been lost. Torah is protection².
  3. Mishlei 3:18 – “עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ” Torah is called the Tree of Life. It’s not just a metaphor—it’s our nation’s oxygen line³.
  4. Devarim 6:7 – “וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ... בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ...” Torah must be our companion at every step. This constancy is part of what brings brachah and protection⁴.
  5. Yeshayahu 33:6 – “וְהָיָה אֱמוּנַת עִתֶּיךָ... חָכְמַת וָדָעַת” Chazal interpret this to mean that Torah knowledge itself becomes a fortress of salvation⁵.

Talmud — Torah Shields and Saves

  1. Sotah 21a – “תורה מגנא ומצלא” Torah protects and saves. This is repeated in several sugyos—it’s not poetic. It’s halachic reality⁶.
  2. Makkos 10a – R’ Yochanan explains that King Yehoshafat’s army was victorious only because he prioritized support for lomdei Torah⁷.
  3. Berachos 5a – When suffering strikes, one should examine their deeds—and if nothing is found, “ya’asok baTorah.” Torah heals both soul and body⁸.
  4. Sanhedrin 99b – A person who abandons Torah is like one who severs themselves from eternity. Torah is what gives a Jew their essence⁹.
  5. Avodah Zarah 3b – Hashem created the world for Torah; without it, there’s no reason for existence. That means Torah upholds not just Jews—but the cosmos¹⁰.

Rishonim — Torah as National Defense

  1. Rambam (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:3) – One devoted to Torah is likened to a soldier protecting the city. Learning Torah is an act of national defense¹¹.
  2. Ramban (Bamidbar 1:45) – The Levi’im weren’t counted among the fighters because their role—learning and serving in the Mishkan—was itself protection¹².
  3. Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 419) – The Chinuch writes that Torah is a zechus for the klal and deflects judgment¹³.
  4. Rashi on Sotah 21a – Rashi explains clearly: Torah is called a “מגן”—a literal shield from punishment and danger¹⁴.

Acharonim — More Powerful Than Iron Domes

  1. Meshech Chochmah (Shemos 14:14) – “Hashem will fight for you”—because Torah and emunah, not swords, win wars¹⁵.
  2. Kli Yakar (Bamidbar 26:2) – Moshe focuses first on Torah leadership, then on military census. Why? Because Torah is the real protection¹⁶.
  3. Sifsei Chaim (Rav Chaim Friedlander zt”l) – He writes that Torah learners hold the secret to Jewish survival—and to the world’s endurance¹⁷.

Gedolei HaSefarim — Torah Upholds the World

  1. Nefesh HaChaim (Shaar 4) – Rav Chaim Volozhin writes, “HaTorah hi hamagen ha’amiti”—Torah is the true shield. Not tanks. Not strategy¹⁸.
  2. Chazon Ish (Emunah u’Bitachon) – The Chazon Ish zt”l taught that when Torah learning weakens, danger enters. The world is built on Torah¹⁹.
  3. Sfas Emes (Bechukosai) – Even Torah that is hidden from the world’s view—learned in silence and sincerity—upholds us all²⁰.
  4. Pele Yoetz (“Torah”) – Torah is called the strongest protection from suffering, temptation, and collapse²¹.

Gedolei HaDor — From Their Hearts

  1. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l (Igros Moshe YD 4:36) – Defended full-time learners during wartime: “Their Torah learning is their contribution to national safety”²².
  2. Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt”l (Kovetz Maamarim) – Called Torah learning the only protection in a world growing darker each day²³.
  3. Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l (Emes L’Yaakov) – “Torah is not just ruchniyus—it is the engine of Jewish survival”²⁴.
  4. Rav Shach zt”l – “Your tanks protect borders. My bochurim protect the nation.”²⁵
  5. Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l – Quoting Sotah 21a publicly: “Torah shields our sons in the army more than any iron dome”²⁶.
  6. Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l – When told bochurim were “avoiding war,” he said: “They are fighting on the higher battlefield”²⁷.

The Charedi Position

Torah is not an escape. It’s the fight of our generation.

To mock a yungerman in Bnei Brak for learning is like mocking a Kohen for bringing the korban tamid during wartime. It’s missing the whole picture. Torah is our lifeline — the engine that protects Am Yisrael. It’s not symbolic. It’s actual.

Sources & Footnotes

  1. Yehoshua 1:8
  2. Tehillim 119:92
  3. Mishlei 3:18
  4. Devarim 6:7
  5. Yeshayahu 33:6
  6. Sotah 21a
  7. Makkos 10a
  8. Berachos 5a
  9. Sanhedrin 99b
  10. Avodah Zarah 3b
  11. Rambam, Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:3
  12. Ramban on Bamidbar 1:45
  13. Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvah 419
  14. Rashi on Sotah 21a
  15. Meshech Chochmah on Shemos 14:14
  16. Kli Yakar on Bamidbar 26:2
  17. Sifsei Chaim – Emunah u’Bitachon
  18. Nefesh HaChaim, Shaar Daled
  19. Chazon Ish, Emunah u’Bitachon
  20. Sfas Emes, Parshas Bechukosai
  21. Pele Yoetz, s.v. “Torah”
  22. Igros Moshe YD 4:36
  23. Kovetz Maamarim – Rav Elchonon Wasserman
  24. Emes L’Yaakov – Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky
  25. Oral recollections – Rav Shach
  26. Rav Ovadia Yosef – public addresses quoting Sotah 21a
  27. Oral recollections – Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman