A large celebratory procession and reception was held Sunday evening in Beitar Illit for what the article calls “prisoners of Torah,” men who had recently been held in military prison. The event began around 7 p.m. in a special gathering area at the top of Magid MeMezritch Street, where hundreds of children and hundreds of residents assembled. A music vehicle led the parade, and the released men rode in a luxury limousine while children waved flags reading, “Blessed are you who were seized for words of Torah.”
The procession moved along Magid MeMezritch Street, with thousands of residents dancing and celebrating, while people joined in from balconies and homes. During the parade, the released men were lifted onto shoulders as rows of yeshiva students and married scholars danced and clapped ahead of them. The gathering was described as an unprecedented scene for the city.
At the closing reception at the MeMezritch and Maharitz intersection, a stage was set up and the released men and city rabbis spoke. Rabbi Chaim Weiss, the Ashkenazi city rabbi, said the event was both thanksgiving for their release and solidarity with dozens of other students and scholars still in military prison. He stressed the importance of Torah study and the need to strengthen themselves at this time. Rabbi Yaakov Tufik Aviezri, the city’s chief rabbi, delivered sharp criticism of the authorities and praised those who resist pressure and “sanctify Heaven’s name.”
Rabbi Shalom Motzri, father of one of the released men, said his family received support from the public and that the campaign on behalf of the detainee had brought divine assistance. He added, “They intended the prison to humiliate, but in practice my dear son only rose and grew stronger.” He also read a message from Rabbi Yitzchak Moalem, the Sephardi city rabbi, who could not attend because of weakness, saying, “Blessed are those who were taken to prison because they are servants of God.”
The released detainee Rabbi Yaakov Motzri said that unlike secular prisons, military prison makes religious detainees stronger in Judaism. Another detainee, Yona Nitzotzi, described spiritual uplift inside military prison, especially in solitary confinement, and said it is possible there to strengthen other Jews who are waiting to hear words of Torah. Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein surprised attendees by attending and saying the authorities had succeeded in uniting the ultra-Orthodox public around one view. He declared, “Yeshiva students, we are all with you,” and urged the state to stop harming Torah students. The event was organized by the group Hapkadeti Shomrim, which works in the city under the guidance of local rabbis to assist residents and students affected by new anti-Torah decrees, especially the draft issue.
