Yeshiva Head Tells Students Not to Fear Draft Arrests and to Avoid a ‘Grasshopper’ Mindset

Rabbi Yehoshua Eichstein, head of Yad Aharon Yeshiva and president of the Chayei Da’at kibbutz yeshiva, visited this week the yeshiva’s new and expanded building in Jerusalem’s Beit Yisrael neighborhood. The visit marked the move into the new premises, and he was welcomed with a study booklet called “Melachat Ko'sher,” prepared by students after intensive, in-depth learning of practical halachic issues from Tractate Shabbat.

Speaking to the students, a speech later obtained by B’Chadrei Charedim, Rabbi Eichstein tried to strengthen them amid the looming enlistment decree facing the Torah world. He said, “A bochur who truly labors in Torah, I promise that they will never arrest him, and there is no need to fear.” He explained that the danger stems from the verse, “We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in theirs,” arguing that if Jews act like grasshoppers, others will succeed against them, but if they carry themselves with Torah diligence and dignity, they will not be viewed that way.

Eichstein added that Torah labor is not defined only by never leaving the yeshiva. Rather, it is measured by what a student gives up for Torah, such as sacrificing a few extra minutes of sleep to enter the beit midrash and learn. That, he said, shows acceptance of the yoke of Torah.

The yeshiva, led by his student Rabbi Eliyahu Adri, is known for carefully selected advanced students from leading yeshivas and serves older bochurim seeking to grow in Torah in a setting suited to their age, maturity, and mutual respect. At the end of the visit, Rabbi Eichstein delivered a special talk on matchmaking to the older students, stressing that the main thing to examine in a prospective bride is her character and spiritual quality, not minor details. He then met each student individually for advice, and they left uplifted and strengthened.