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| Rav Dov Landau (YWN) |
Rafi Goldmeier (Life in Israel) reports that Rav Dov Landau, who at 93 is one of the senior Roshei Yeshiva in the Charedi world published the following comments in the Israeli Yated Neeman (Which I presume was translated and summarized from the Hebrew by Rafi):
In the letter Rav Landau writes that all Torah learners and all Haredim should know that we only have Torah learning and nothing else. Those involved in other activities who pretend that they are bringing salvation from the dangers around us should know they are causing damage to themselves, their children and to their families and to others.
I am not surprised that Rav Landau believes that Torah study is vital to the salvation of Klal Yisroel. Nor am I dismayed that Yeshiva students of all ages and backgrounds have intensified their Torah study at this time in an effort to beseech God for His mercy. What both surprises me and dismays me is the latter part of that letter. Which says that doing anything else causes ‘damage to themselves, their children and to their families and to others.’
Does he really think the IDF is wasting its time? Or worse hurting Klal Yisroel by fighting Hamas? Does he think they should lay down arms; pick up a Gemarah and start learning?
One might respond that he wasn’t talking about the IDF, but instead about all the other things going on. Like fund raising. Or expressing moral support. Or thanking the US for their support. I don’t know. But he did not differentiate. He did not say that he wasn’t talking about the army. Which leads me to believe that he actually believes that only Torah study can save the Jewish people and nothing else.
I do not believe that this is mainstream Charedi thinking. I am far more inclined to believe that the thinking of a Gadol of the past is the real mainstem thinking. One may recall that after the 67 war (or was it the 73 war), Rav Chaim Shmulevutz had a Seudas Hoda’ah (a banquet for the purpose of thanking God for His salvation) wherein he expressed gratitude to both the IDF and the students of Torah for their efforts which he believed spared his Yeshiva, Mir.
One might also recall that students of Yeshivas Brisk (Israel) and like minded Charedim that were present at the event were outraged by that comment and strenuously protested his reference to the IDF. They see the IDFas an extension of the ‘evil’ anti Torah Zionist government. that should NEVER be praised. Only condemned.
Rav Shmulevitz understood that God wants His people to do their part in every way they can before he stretches out His hand to help us. We must make every effort to solve our own problems before we ask God to intervene on our behalf. That is why Rav Shmulevitz thanked both the IDF and those who studied Torah for their effort and sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people.
Much as I vehemently disagree with Rav Landau he is entitled to his opinion. But then I would have to ask why the vast amount of Torah study that has been going on in the holy land (and which in fact is constantly increasing) has not protected us til now? I do not believe there is any dispute about the numbers of people studying Torah in Israel these days being exponentially greater than at any time in modern history. Perhaps even in all if Jewish history.
Based on Rav Landau’s formula, we should have been in the best shape ever for God’s protection. And yet on that fateful day of Simchas Torah (October 7th) we were ‘treated’ to the most violent slaughter rape, maiming, beheading of men, women, children (babies even!), and the elderly since the Holocaust!
If all we needed was intense Torah study, we already had that in spades.
The answer of course is that Torah study is not enough without doing our Hishtadlus in every way we can. And that is where we failed. Israel’s security apparatus let us down.
My hope is that even the highly partisan (to the Yeshiva world) Yated will not let Rav Landau’s letter be the final word on this subject. That there are other Charedi rabbinic leaders with the courage to publicly disagree with him and perhaps even reference Rav Shumelevitz to support their disagreement. Because if they don’t they will in my view be participating in a disaterous corruption of the Torah.
One more thing. This was difficult for me to write. Now is not the time to criticize rabbinic leaders. But I cannot help but speak out at what I believe is a harmful and insulting comment about what the Jewish people are doing right now with respect to the most serious threat to our existence since the Holocaust.
