Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel Tells Military Prisoners Their Only “Offense” Is Torah Study

Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel, a member of the Council of Torah Sages and head of Porat Yosef yeshiva, delivered a rare message of support to yeshiva students and married scholars being held in Military Prison 10. His remarks were broadcast over loudspeakers at the prison entrance to encourage the detainees behind bars.

He told the prisoners, “Your only crime is studying the holy Torah,” and said that in today’s climate even Israel’s friends have turned away. Betzalel argued that after 80 years in the Land of Israel, society once understood that Torah learners were the foundation of the Jewish people, but now they are being “pursued” and treated as “criminals and offenders” for remaining in detention because of Torah study.

He said Torah is “the house of our life” and the force that sustains the Jewish people. Betzalel also lashed out at those he said were seeking to undermine Torah, claiming they do not understand what the Jewish people are. He addressed the detainees directly as “prisoners of the holy Torah,” saying they were detained “for sanctifying God’s name” and that God is with them.

Betzalel urged the arrested students and scholars to preserve their fear of Heaven and the spiritual strength they had in yeshiva. He told them to feel that they are representatives of the entire Torah world, and he praised the public that came to show solidarity. He concluded that “without Torah there is no Jewish people,” and expressed hope that support for Torah would return, the redeemer would come, and the current persecution would end. His comments came amid visits by Knesset members and rabbis to Military Prison 10 to bolster the detainees.