During a special visit to the newly expanded campus of the Chayei Da’at Kibbutz yeshiva in Jerusalem’s Beit Yisrael neighborhood, Rabbi Yehoshua Eichenshtein spoke to students about the Israeli draft dispute and the difficult position of yeshiva students. The yeshiva, which he heads, recently moved to its new premises on Bezalel Ashkenazi Street.
In his remarks, Eichenshtein made a striking promise: “Any student who truly takes on the yoke of Torah, I guarantee will never be arrested, and there is no need to fear.” He said the pressure comes from a mindset of seeing oneself as “grasshoppers,” and argued that if yeshiva students do not act that way, but instead carry themselves with the dignity of Torah study, they will not be targeted.
He clarified that real Torah effort does not mean never leaving the yeshiva. He gave examples such as a student giving up a few extra minutes of sleep to learn, or interrupting a conversation during a meal to go study. Even if it is difficult, he said, every effort is like a “banner” that elevates the student, and he described the generation as one that should see itself as fully deserving.
At the end of the talk, he blessed the students to continue rising in Torah study and to merit finding their matches soon. He also delivered a special lesson on shidduchim for older students, saying the main thing to look for is the prospective bride’s character and spirituality, not minor details. Afterward, he spent a long time giving each student personal advice and blessings. He was also presented with the “Melechet Ko’sher” volume, a study project on Shabbat laws the yeshiva says he encouraged, including topics such as building and separating, studied from sources to practical halacha.
