Rabbi Lando Condemns Sending Soldiers to Wars for National Honor as Murder

Rabbi Dov Lando, a 96-year-old leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, sharply criticized the Israeli government's approach to military conflicts during a special educational session organized by the 'Dirshu' organization for young yeshiva students transitioning to larger institutions. In a recently published Q&A interview conducted at his home in Bnei Brak, Rabbi Lando argued that the state sometimes sends soldiers to war not solely for tangible rescue or defense but also to uphold the "honor of the state," which he described as tantamount to murder.

The interview primarily focused on Torah study methodology and educational guidance for youth, emphasizing the importance of prayer, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity in learning. Rabbi Lando dismissed the idea that students could replace classroom attendance with listening to recordings or independent study, calling such notions "nonsense." He urged strict self-discipline, early rising for prayers, and respectful interpersonal relations, including openness to opposing views. When asked about young yeshiva students engaging with political or religious-state issues, he firmly stated they should focus solely on study and not on such matters.

Alongside the educational discussion, a separate transcript revealed a tense conversation Rabbi Lando held with the heads of the Mir Yeshiva, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel and Rabbi Binyamin Finkel. They thanked him for his fundraising efforts abroad following government budget cuts to yeshivas. In this dialogue, Rabbi Lando expressed strong opposition to government and religious Zionist pressures to draft yeshiva students into the Israel Defense Forces. He criticized public representatives and accused the state of risking soldiers' lives for reasons beyond immediate defense, specifically for maintaining national prestige.

When asked how to direct prayers amid this difficult situation, Rabbi Lando offered no political or practical advice, only urging prayer that the crisis would pass swiftly and peacefully. He concluded, "We will pray to the Holy One, blessed be He, that everything will pass like a dream, like a blowing wind and a disappearing cloud."