The Gedolei Eretz Yisroel spearheading Keren Olam HaTorah visited Monsey on Friday, June 12, continuing their mission to save limud hatorah in Eretz Yisroel. 

The day began at the home of Mr. Shimon Glick, who hosted Rav Dov Landau for Shabbos. Mr. Glick spoke about the obligation to respond to attacks on Torah by increasing kavod Shamayim and supporting lomdei Torah. He recalled a story from Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, who once remarked that if the Torah world’s challenges could be solved with money, that itself should be considered a bracha.

Rav Dov Landau followed, warning that the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel faces grave danger. Torah in America, he stressed, cannot be separated from Torah in Eretz Yisroel. Those who support its lomdim are strengthening Torah for themselves, their families, and Jewish communities everywhere.

Rav Shimon Galai then described the fear and uncertainty confronting many families. Quoting the Chofetz Chaim, he said that there are moments when the proper response is not to speak, but to cry. Torah itself will certainly endure, he added, recalling the same assurance made by the Ponovezher Rav after the Holocaust. The question is only who will be zocheg to help sustain it.

Rav Yaakov Hillel explained that government funding was only one of the channels through which Hashem supported Torah, never its true source. The current crisis offers those who cherish Torah the historic privilege of supporting it directly.

The delegation then continued to the home of Mr. Leizer Scheiner. Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband spoke about the bond connecting Torah supporters worldwide with lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel. Klal Yisroel regularly davens for Torah’s success, he said; now those tefillos must be translated into action.

He shared the story of Ariel Shamai, a bochur from a non-Torah background who grew into an outstanding ben Torah. Ariel was imprisoned because of his commitment to Torah learning, but the experience only strengthened his conviction.

Rav Avraham Salim described the effects of the gezeiros upon families across Eretz Yisroel, particularly within Edot HaMizrach kehillos. Rav Malkiel Kotler reflected on the name Keren Olam HaTorah, explaining that the Torah world is a realm of its own, guided by values and priorities fundamentally different from those of the surrounding society.

The day culminated with a major public asifa at The Atrium, where thousands assembled to hear from the gedolim shortly before Shabbos. R’ Reuven Wolf opened the program by describing the mesirus nefesh of the visiting gedolim and the dedication of avreichim who continue learning despite hardship and uncertainty.

Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband warned that the danger extends beyond financial deprivation. Anxiety and instability threaten the yishuv hadaas necessary for growth in Torah and can lead to bitul Torah.

The centerpiece was Rav Dov Landau’s address. Speaking before a silent hall, Rav Dov conveyed the cry of the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel and urged the assembled to recognize the magnitude of the moment. When he concluded, the crowd erupted into “Zeidim heylitzuni ad me’od, miTorasecha lo natisi,” transforming the hall into a stirring declaration of loyalty to Torah.

Rav Yaakov Hillel followed, reiterating that Torah has never depended upon governments. Hashem has now given Jews worldwide an opportunity to become direct partners in sustaining it.