Everyone gathered • Historical 'Moetzet' convention: Hgray'l Steinman burst into tears • view

After years, the era of the Council of Torah Sages returned: Members of the council of Torah Sages of Agudath Yisrael and Degel HaTorah convened for a historic conference, returning the days of the unified Moetzet to the glory days of yesteryear.


First, the Gedolei Hatorah of Agudath Yisrael gathered, and then the Torah Sages of Degel HaTorah came and joined the unified meeting.


First to arrive at the Vizhnitz hotel in Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak which was closed to outsiders – the Chassidic MK's of Yahadut Hatorah - Yaakov Litzman, Meir Porush Menachem Eliezer Moses and Yisrael Eichler. Later the MKs of Degel HaTorah arrived - Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev and the seventh and the new MK – former Mayor of Bnei Brak - Yaakov Asher.

The Rebbe of Seret Vizhnitz who did not feel well – did not participate. Hgrb"m Ezrachi-Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Yisrael, who was evacuated by ambulance to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital and hospitalized in severe condition, did not participate.

The convention was opened by reciting Tehillim for the recovery of Rabbi Ezrachi. The Vizhnitzer Rebbe went to the mikveh before arriving at the Moetzet-as his father used to do.

At first the Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah of Agudath Yisrael convened, with the participation of (according to seating from right to left): The Gerrer Rebbe, The Erloy Rebbe, the Belzer Rebbe, The Sanzer Rebbe, The Slonimer Rebbe, The Modzitz Rebbe, The Bostoner Rebbe, The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Biale Rebbe, the Sadigura Rebbe, The Boyaner Rebbe and the Vizhnitzer Rebbe.

At the opening of the convention, memories of the Moetzet members who had passed away were brought up: The Yeshuot Moshe of Vizhnitz zt"l and the Sadigura Rebe zt"l. The meeting was opened by the secretary of the Moetzet, Hagaon Reb Mordechei Stern. Chairmanship of the meeting was placed in the hands of the Slonimer Rebbe.

The historical meeting was held in the conference room on the 3rd floor of the hotel. In this same room the Moetzet of previous years convened.

For almost a decade the Moetzet did not gather for a formal convention. The renewal of the Moetzet was made by the initiative of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe who sent the secretary of the Moetzet to the homes of the Gedolei Yisrael with a request to join the Moetzet.

When the meeting of Agudath Yisrael ended, they were joined by members of the Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah of Degel Hatorah. In the unified convention Hgray"l Steinman spoke and burst into tears. "They want to tear us away from the Torah", he cried bitterly. "Throughout all the years Am Yisrael gave their lives for Torah, Am Yisrael without Torah is not a nation."

It was clear that the participants were moved by the intense pain of Hgray"l-the only one who during the past 15 years stopped the recruitment decree of Yeshiva students hovering over the Torah world.

At the end of the meeting, when Hgr"y Silberstein went out, he said to those around him that "such tears have not reached heaven for many years-tears that are only for the spiritual condition of the generation and the spiritual decrees. This is what we are praying for."

The Belzer Rebbe said at the convention: "We must announce that those learning Torah will not recruit, and if they force it on all of us-all of us Rebbes and Rabbis sitting here-will go to prison instead of them."

The Bostoner Rebbe who arrived uninvited-was not allowed entry by the guards at the front door, who were hired to secure the event. They pushed him away roughly. Only when activists arrived at the scene, and ordered them to allow him to enter-were the doors opened before him.

Decision of the 'Moetzet':
Following the meeting the decision of the Moetzet was published as follows:

Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah are alarmed and express deep regret over the wave of incitement made by a handful of people flooding the residents of Israel against the (anxious) Haredim to the word of G-d and especially the students learning the holy Torah in whose merit the world exists, the dear Yeshiva students who are engaged in Torah day and night, and rise in Yiras Shamayim with holiness and purity, and there are those who come to undermine their status by various attempts to interfere with the superiority of Torah and piety.

Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah are strengthening the hands of the representatives who work faithfully according to the guidance of the Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah against all those sources who are trying to harm anything that is holy and Torah in particular.

"Moetzet Gedolei Hatorh are turning especially to government officials that they should not change anything that has to do with the Yeshiva students, and all matters relating to the Jewish character that is customary from the time we are living here in Israel.


"And to all the brothers we turn to you, please brothers do not be afraid for our main existence throughout the generations was only through the study of Torah and mitzvos with purity and only that way will we maintain the real character of the people of Israel and at such a time we must do more mitzvos.

Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah expresses satisfaction with the success of Orthodox Judaism with G-d's help to unite the power to strengthen the unity of religion, and evaluate the actions taken by officials of Yahadut Hatorah, and the general public who answered the cry and raised activists to glorify the Torah.


"The eyes of Am Yisrael are raised in prayer to Hashem to redeem us, and with hope that a new light will illuminate Hashem will be King over all the earth."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!