MK Meir Porush Condemns Opposition in Rare Knesset Speech Supporting Torah Study Law
On Monday, MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism delivered an unusual and impassioned speech in the Knesset plenum addressing tens of thousands of Torah scholars and yeshiva students across Israel. Speaking directly to those immersed in religious study, Porush praised their dedication, describing their daily routine of intense Talmud study from early morning until late at night and emphasizing their role as the "heartbeat of the Jewish people." He acknowledged the severe hardships faced by many learners, including economic struggles and social marginalization, stating that for the past three years they have been "trampled" and treated as scapegoats amid harsh campaigns of incitement and discrimination.
Porush criticized those who view Torah learners as a problem rather than a foundation of the nation, highlighting the ongoing arrests and economic cuts targeting them. He stressed that Torah study does not require external validation, asserting that the Torah has endured empires and decrees long before the Knesset existed and will continue to do so. Nevertheless, he welcomed the current parliamentary recognition of Torah study as a fundamental value of Jewish heritage, calling the proposed Basic Law on Torah Study a necessary reinforcement in a confusing era.
In a sharp rebuke to opposition members planning to vote against the law, Porush accused them of hatred and blindness, citing a military committee report that affirmed the importance of preserving the core values of the ultra-Orthodox world, including Torah study. He warned that voting against the law is effectively voting against the sacred Torah itself, concluding with a harsh condemnation: "Shame on you. You are voting against the holy Torah. Disgrace on you."
The Knesset session marked the start of a five-day legislative marathon, with the Basic Law on Torah Study as the first bill up for a vote. Concurrently, the coalition is advancing legislation to freeze arrests of yeshiva students, reflecting ongoing tensions over the status and treatment of Torah learners in Israeli society.
