Rabbi Tears Draft Notice Amid Simchat Torah Celebrations
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Yeshiva head tore a military draft notice during Simchat Torah.
- The act by the Head of the Yeshiva was seen as a notable shift in his stance.
- The incident reflects changing attitudes in some Haredi circles towards conscription.
- Students view the state as persecuting Torah scholars.
During the Hakafot Shniyot (second dancing of the Torah scrolls) celebrations at the Heichal Yitzchak 'the Head of the Yeshiva' Yeshiva, the head of the yeshiva tore up a military draft notice. The unusual incident occurred on Simchat Torah as students danced with their scrolls. Video footage shows the rabbi dancing with students before tearing the draft notice he held in his hand, apparently belonging to one of the yeshiva's students.
The act drew attention among students, particularly given the rabbi's past stance on the issue of military conscription. According to students who previously spoke with Kikar HaShabbat, he did not typically join in singing the song "Atzu Etzah" (Give Counsel), making his actions yesterday a notable shift in his behavior regarding conscription.
This event is seen as indicative of a changing attitude among mainstream Lithuanian Haredi circles towards the state and the IDF, as they perceive the authorities continue to pursue Torah scholars and attempt to disrupt their studies. Another yeshiva student told Kikar HaShabbat regarding the video, "The state has broken ties with us and is arresting true Torah scholars on the streets. They should not be surprised that we are also changing our approach towards it."
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