Brisk Rosh Yeshiva Slams Institutions for Accepting State Funds, Hosting President

Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Halevi Soloveitchik, the Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk, delivered a sharp critique of several institutions, including the Ateret Shlomo yeshiva and the Tzevesh'er institutions in Bnei Brak, during a Simchat Beit Hashoeva celebration in Jerusalem. He specifically condemned the institutions for accepting state funding and for hosting Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog, viewing these actions as a betrayal of religious principles and a compromise with secularism.

Rabbi Soloveitchik drew parallels to historical conflicts between rabbinic authorities and the Sadducees, who he claimed sought to abolish religious observances. He argued that even the Sages were willing to suspend Torah commandments to combat the Sadducees, and that contemporary religious leaders who compromise with the state, which he equated to the Sadducees of today, are acting against this precedent. He cited the Chazon Ish as an example of a leader who maintained strict opposition to the state, even on its founding day, to avoid any association with Zionism.

The Rosh Yeshiva expressed dismay that the Tzevesh'er institutions, founded in the Chazon Ish's name and initially operating in Yiddish without state funding, had recently switched to Hebrew and accepted state budgets. He was particularly critical of the institution for inviting President Herzog to affix a mezuzah, calling it a "museum" that compromises the Chazon Ish's legacy for financial gain. He also criticized another unnamed Rosh Yeshiva for inviting the President to address students, accusing him of hypocrisy for professing anti-Zionist views while seeking state funds.

Rabbi Soloveitchik lamented the current generation's pursuit of money, suggesting it leads to a loss of religious fervor and a willingness to compromise with secular authorities. He recounted a story about Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin, who was imprisoned due to a false accusation by secularists. Diskin's refusal to even look at his lawyer, whom he considered a sinner, ultimately helped secure his release, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a strong stance against perceived wickedness.

The Rosh Yeshiva concluded by questioning the lack of Jewish sensitivity to such compromises, quoting the verse "Those who hate You, O Lord, I hate" and implying that a failure to distance oneself from secularism is a dereliction of religious duty.