HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita has told rabbonim and marbitzei Torah that there must be chizuk in limud Torah and tefilos in light of efforts to induct bnei yeshivos into the military, pulling them away from their limud. The rav places on emphasis on the time when limud is usually down, on Friday and Shabbos, calling for a special effort in line with a recent letter from HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.

The weekly BaKehilla reports a number of roshei yeshiva approached the Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva seeking direction regarding imminent gezeiros against bnei yeshivos. The rav reportedly told them there must a chizuk in “סור מרע ועשה טוב.”

The rav explains עשה טוב refers to increased hasmoda in limud Torah, with an emphasis on erev Shabbos and Shabbos. Rav Edelstein is quoted added that there is ample time to significantly increase limud during the summer months. He suggests this may be accomplished by making a schedule in advance to prevent wasting time. R’ Edelstein feels this is particularly true for bnei yeshivos who generally do not have too much to do to prepare for Shabbos and therefore have the time to dedicate.

The rav is quoted as stressing the erev Shabbos and Shabbos limud on a number of occasions this past week.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)