JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Rabbi Dov Landau, the leader of the Lithuanian charedi community in Israel, delivered the keynote address at the Keren Olam Hatorah fundraising event in Chicago, Illinois, and described the state of haredi yeshiva students in Israel as a “trouble” which requires international mobilization.
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Rabbi Landau claimed that “yeshiva and kollel (study halls for married men) students are persecuted by the authorities and the courts in Israel for no wrongdoing on their part,” and described a reality where thousands of haredim “cannot live like regular human beings are supposed to live” due to the threat of arrest and extensive economic restrictions.
According to the rabbi, many of the married students are having trouble paying to educate their children, and they even “don’t have bread for their children’s mouths.”
קליפ מסכם מהרגעים הנבחרים במעמד “קיום התורה” בעיר שיקגו, המעמד המרכזי של קרן עולם התורה, בהשתתפות גדולי ישראל שליט”א pic.twitter.com/E2dxPQcZI4
— (((IsraelMatzav))) (@IsraelMatzav) June 11, 2026
The rabbi stressed the importance of Keren Olam Hatorah as a central line of defense: “If it hadn’t been founded by generous people here in the United States, G-d forbid, yeshivas and kollels would be on the brink of closing.”
He called for widespread donations, claiming that supporting Torah scholars “brings blessings” to the donors themselves.
this is mamosh shmad daas Torah said it which proves its true
There you have it a built-in blessing from one of the Torah leaders of the generation, all it will cost you as a few dollars which you’re obligated to give anyway from your earnings a certain amount. Instead of just buying Pizza pies for soldiers and giving to plaques on the wall that nobody ever looks at, give to something that will earn you some Eternity for a change
Judging by the tone of the article, it’s doubtful the author heard what Rav Dov said. He talks low and there is no footage of what he actually said. As an aside, it wasn’t a Keren Olam hatorah fundraising event; there were several throughout the day. This was a community-wide gathering welcoming the Gedolim, including Rav Dov, who had never been in Chicago previously.
Everything he said is known to us all as a fact. It’s sad that an Adom Gadol in his 90’s needs to travel around the world to save the Yeshivos from the Israeli government.
When Iran wins and takes over Israel, will the Iranians be willing to exempt the Bnei Torah from partaking in the defense of that country?
TO MAKE UP THE SHORTAGE FOR THE ARMY ,
TAKE ALL THE BUMS HANGING OUT ON DIZENGOFF AT HIGHT YOULL HAVE
MORE THE ENOUGH GUYS SERVING IN THE ARMY
What does being prosecuted. have to do with money. you need money dont use excuses. i believe the ones who are really serious and learning are not prosecuted. you start up and antagonize what do you expect
“no wrongdoing on their part”?…sure, if you ignore draft dodging….
money troubles?…good! and it’s well deserved