MK Yoav Ben-Tzur Delivers Emotional Speech Supporting Basic Law on Torah Study in Knesset
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
MK Yoav Ben-Tzur delivered an emotional speech in the Knesset supporting the Basic Law on Torah Study, emphasizing Torah's role in Jewish identity and unity. He called Torah learners a spiritual shield and urged cross-party support for the bill, which is the first in a five-day legislative session. The Knesset will also consider a law to prevent detaining Torah students later this week.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- MK Yoav Ben-Tzur called Torah study the Jewish nation's moral compass and spiritual shield.
- He urged all Knesset members to unite beyond political divides around Torah's central role.
- Ben-Tzur emphasized Torah learners are not a burden but protect Jewish continuity.
- The Basic Law on Torah Study is the first bill in a five-day Knesset legislative marathon.
- A law to prevent detaining Torah learners is expected to be voted on later this week.
- Ben-Tzur framed the law as affirming Israel's Jewish identity and spiritual resilience.
On Monday, MK Yoav Ben-Tzur of the Shas party delivered a heartfelt speech in the Knesset plenary during discussions on the Basic Law proposal concerning Torah study. Addressing members across the political spectrum, Ben-Tzur emphasized the central role of Torah in Jewish identity and morality, calling it "the moral compass" and "the eternal book" that preserved the Jewish people through centuries of exile and persecution.
Ben-Tzur stressed that the law transcends political or sectoral interests, describing it as "the foundational law of the Jewish nation's soul." He highlighted that Torah learners, including yeshiva students and scholars, are not a burden but rather a spiritual shield protecting the continuity of Jewish tradition from Sinai to the present day.
Appealing for unity amid recent political divisions, Ben-Tzur urged all Knesset members to recognize Torah study as a shared value uniting religious and secular Jews alike. He framed the legislation as a historic statement affirming Israel as a Jewish state that values spiritual resilience alongside military and economic strength.
The Knesset began a five-day legislative marathon with the Basic Law on Torah Study as the first bill up for a vote. Later in the week, the Knesset is expected to consider a law aimed at preventing the detention of Torah learners for several months, following approval by the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Ben-Tzur concluded by calling on lawmakers to rise above temporary political considerations and support the bill to send a clear message to future generations that the flame of Torah in Israel will never be extinguished, even in the darkest times.
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