In a rare letter, sent to the meeting of Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky writes that Yeshiva Bochrim are to be Mechazek themselves during bein hazmanim, writing, “We were all given bein hazmanim to relax our brains”.
Rabbonim from litvish kehillos around Israel convened on motzei Shabbos under the banner ‘Igud Rabbanei Kehillos’ in Bnei Brak, a gathering intended to address bein hazmanim and the responsibility of the rabbonim for talmidim during the break period.
The conference was led by HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, as well as in the presence of the organization’s president HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slobodka and Rosh Yeshivas Chevron HaGaon HaRav David Cohen.
As reported, talmidim must distance themselves from prohibited venues and activities, as well as being stringent on tefilla with minyan.
Following is the letter released by HaRav Kanievsky, as released by Kikar Shabbos News.
הנה כמעט הייתי אומר לבטל לגמרי את הבין הזמנים והנופשים והדומים להם. כלום ניתנה הבין הזמנים אלא כדי להרגיע את המוח שנתייגע בתורה כל ה’זמן’, כמו שכתב הרמב”ם, וכל זה כמעט לא שייך בזמנינו.
מכל מקום כל הנופשים חייבים להיזהר מאוד שלא להפסיד את כל מה שהם קיבלו ב’זמן’ (את כל הדרגות שהגיעו (אליהם על ידי עמל התורה.
ולכן חייבים להקפיד מאוד לקבוע כל יום עיתים לתורה, חוק ולא יעבור, כמו שכתב השולחן ערוך באורח חיים סימן קנ”ה ובמשנה ברורה שם, ולשמור מאוד על העיניים שהם סרסורי עבירה גדולים מאוד כדאיתא בירושלמי בברכות, ולא להפקיר את העיניים, ולא להיות בשום חדרים שיש בהם מכשירים טמאים הכל בדיוק כמו שצריך להיזהר בתוך הזמן.
ולהקפיד על כל דיני תפילה לפרטיה המבוארים בשולחן ערוך אורח חיים סימן צ’ כגון להתפלל דווקא עם מניין ושיהיה ברכת כהנים וקריאת התורה מתוך ספר תורה כשר והפטרה מתוך נביא מתוך קלף.
“ולכן יפה עושים הרבנים שליט”א שמתכנסים לטקס עצות לתקן דברים הנ”ל, ונזכה על ידי זה להרבות כבוד שמיים ולזכות לגאולה השלימה במרה בימינו אמן”.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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10 Responses
Someone who needs to be reminded that he has to daven with a minyan and be koveia itim during bein hazmanim, probably doesn’t belong in yeshiva during zman either.
Also, it’s interesting that the Rav is makpid on haftorah from a klaf.
RY: You find interesting that he is makpid on what is l’chatchila?
Funny, last I checked most bachurim (myself included) are more makpid abt minyan during bein hazmanim. (Seeing how that’s when the outside world actually sees them otherwise it’s just yeshiva guys who all have each other’s backs
Nobody is perfect. We all can benefit from reminders and encouraging words. Have a nice day
Rebbe Yid, I 100% agree with you. I once heard that your character in life isn’t about how you perform in the comforts and structure of the Beis Medrash during the zman, but how you perform outside of all that. The “real life” for many in the “working world”, it’s always the “zman”- meaning full-time work, bills, mortgage don’t enjoy a several week hiatus.
The proliferation of 9, 9:30 and even 10:00 minyanim for shachris during bein hazmanim attests to the fact that bachurim daven with a minyan during bein hazmanim. Then again, the proliferation of such minyanim is precisely why such a letter is needed.
I agree that rabbeim and administrators of yeshivos should help encourage and facilitate their students maintaining the standards of kedusha and shmiras hamitzvos that they do in yeshiva, but shouldn’t this responsibility largely fall upon the parents? A bochur’s father and mother should be the ones making sure he is up for minyan and koveia itim during vacation since he’s living in their house. (That’s how it was in my house with my siblings and I…)
“and the responsibility of the rabbonim for talmidim during the break period.”
I have to wonder about how it is that the parents are ignored here. Perhaps one may suggest that there is a problem of a different nature when the apparent attitude of this discussion sounds like the parents are not a consideration.
“I have to wonder about how it is that the parents are ignored here.”
Perhaps this refers to bachurim who do not go home for part, or all, of bein hazmanim.
Any bochur who doesn’t daven vasikim during bein hazmanim, tovel in mikvah and shteig while standing on his left foot for at least 12 hours should not be allowed to return to Yeshiva….the only allowable recreation is Thursday night chulent but only if women are banned and the chulent places closes promptly at 11 PM.