Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein Urges Torah Scholars to Respond to Insults with Forgiveness and Dignity

At the conclusion of the summer study period at the Beit David kollel in Holon, Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein, a member of the Council of Torah Sages and chief rabbi of the Ramat Elhanan neighborhood in Bnei Brak, delivered words of encouragement and guidance to dozens of kollel scholars. Addressing the period of Bein Hazmanim (interim breaks between study sessions), Rabbi Zilberstein emphasized the importance of maintaining personal refinement and dignity despite provocations and societal hostility toward Torah learners.

Rabbi Zilberstein highlighted that a true Torah scholar should be visibly distinguished by their gentle character and conduct. He stressed that yeshiva students should not shout in public or engage in behaviors such as eating or licking ice cream on the street, which he said detracts from their dignity. He recalled the Slabodka yeshiva tradition of responding to insults with forgiveness and silence, advising that when faced with derogatory remarks, scholars should thank the offender and take the criticism to heart quietly.

He framed this approach as a sanctification of God's name (Kiddush Hashem), asserting that responding calmly and humbly to insults is a profound religious act. Rabbi Zilberstein’s remarks come amid recent tensions and incitement against the ultra-Orthodox community, particularly Torah learners and yeshiva students, underscoring the need for spiritual resilience and exemplary conduct during challenging times.

The video of Rabbi Zilberstein’s address was shared by the Dvar Hemed media outlet, providing a rare glimpse into the internal guidance given to the kollel community as they prepare for the Bein Hazmanim period.