BNEI BRAK, Israel (VINnews) — Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is expected to lead a large protest rally in Bnei Brak on Saturday night as tensions grow over Israel’s military draft policies affecting the haredi community.
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The demonstration comes after the arrests of yeshiva students accused of evading military service and recent clashes linked to protests over the draft.
Rabbi Shabtai Levi, a senior rabbi in Bnei Brak, said the gathering is intended to protest what participants view as increasing pressure on Torah students. He said Rabbi Yosef considered the event significant enough to forgo his customary weekly Torah lesson in Jerusalem and instead attend the rally in person.
Organizers say the demonstration will be held near the Halichot Moshe institutions in Bnei Brak’s Ramat Aharon neighborhood. They described it as a peaceful event focused on prayer and public protest rather than road blockades or violence.
Speaking to Kol Barama Radio, Rabbi Levi said many in the haredi community believe recent enforcement actions against yeshiva students have crossed a line, arguing that Torah scholars should be protected from compulsory military service.
The protest follows a series of demonstrations by haredi groups as Israel’s government continues to face political pressure over legislation governing military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
We are lucky to have talmidei Chachomim standing up to the scourge of misyavnim seeking to uproot the Torah from Eretz Yisroel. Chazal tell us that there’s no hatred like the hatred of an Am Ha’aretz to a Talmid Chacham.
This why we need live poskim to guide Klal Yisroel in the present circumstance. I’m sure Rav Yosef knows his father’s shita regarding demonstrations.
It’s a pet peeve of the Azei ponim of the Dor to quote opinions stated in a different situation & use that to contradict the opinions of the Talmidei Chachamim of our time. There will always be Korach Va’adoso who argue on the Ispashtusa Dimoshe of each Dor. We need to stay away from them if we don’t want to be swallowed into Gehinnom.
As I told someone who came to collect money for Keren HaDraft-Dodgers, I will learn Torah in the merit that your fundraiser and protest should be successful, just as the draft dodgers learn in the merit that the IDF should be successful. May we each continue to assist one another.
No comment.
Hope Mashiach comes soon!
I really hope it is peaceful and filled with prayers to our Father in Heaven.
why was my comment taken down? what are you afraid of?
Just empty talk!
His father, Rav Ovadia, as well as Rav Shteinman opposed demonstrations and opted for prayers and tfillos. Will the behind the scenes ” organizers” id themselves eventually?
Last night I wanted to learn the Daf, but I reminded myself that the Kvoid HaRav said that the Government is very much against the act of learning, so I refrained. I just wonder whether saying Tehilem is ok with the Government.