Ponovezh Yeshiva Head Urges Students to Avoid Secular Encounters and Focus on Torah Study
Rabbi David Levi, head of the Ponovezh Yeshiva, delivered a strong message to his students during the final general lesson before the upcoming Bein Hazmanim (interim vacation) period following Tisha B'Av. He urged students to remain vigilant and sanctify God's name amid the current challenges facing the Torah world, including the looming draft decree and unprecedented incitement against yeshiva students, which has led to public humiliation in media and on the streets.
Continuing the legacy of his late father-in-law, Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, Rabbi Levi emphasized the importance of students maintaining exemplary conduct so that "everyone who sees a Torah scholar will say, 'See how pleasant are his ways and how upright his deeds.'" He warned against socializing or hiking in places like Nahal Amud or Nahal Meshushim, where students might encounter secular individuals or those hostile to religion, describing such outings as pointless and risky.
For those seeking a change of environment, Rabbi Levi recommended joining the "Lev LaAchim" study groups, where students can learn Torah in a supportive atmosphere without engaging in disputes. He stressed the value of learning Mishnayot and Gemara with sweetness and understanding, thereby elevating the sanctity of God's name.
Rabbi Levi also highlighted the tradition of delivering words of encouragement before Bein Hazmanim, likening the preparation to Moses' departure from the Tabernacle. He called on students to love others through their conduct, reflecting love for God, and cautioned against the current trend of scrutinizing Torah scholars for faults, comparing it to searching for blemishes on an etrog. This, he said, leads to distancing from Torah scholars and desecration of God's name.
His heartfelt remarks resonated strongly among the yeshiva students, becoming a central topic of discussion on campus. Rabbi Levi continues to teach daily lessons in tractate Baba Batra even during Bein Hazmanim, maintaining continuity in Torah study throughout the year.
