Rosh Yeshivas Mir Hagaon HaRav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel on Sunday called for yeshivah bochurim from abroad to remain in Israel for Pesach since their ability to return to yeshivah once they fly home cannot be guaranteed.

The Mir administration sent the following letter to parents on Friday:

“Due to the current situation in Eretz Yisroel, the appropriate authorities have advised us about a serious possibility, that Talmidei HaYeshiva who will leave for Pesach will not be able to return for the upcoming Summer Z’man. Below please find a letter from Maran Rosh HaYeshiva Shlit”a, strongly encouraging all bochurim who are planning to continue learning in the yeshiva for the upcoming Summer Z’man, to stay in Eretz Yisroel for Pesach.”

“The Hanholas HaYeshiva will make every effort to provide for the Ruchnies and Gashmiesdike needs of the Talmidei HaYeshiva throughout Bein Hazmanim. On this side of the pond as always, Rabbi Mordechai Ross and I welcome your questions concerns or comments and hope to always be there to help you with your Yeshiva related needs.”

The Rosh Yeshivah wrote: “As we approach the days of Nissan, I am calling on the talmidei Yeshivah from abroad: We are in a period when we don’t know what the next day will bring. And according to the experts, apparently, at this point there is no chance at all that foreigners will be able to return to Eretz Yisrael in the near future – and this after the upheaval, enormous efforts and bittul Torah last year to return the yeshivah bochurim from abroad. A miracle isn’t performed every day and now the situation is much worse and who knows what another day will bring.”

“And therefore I request that bochurim remain in yeshivah during this period and not leave beit chayeinu at this difficult time. And who knows if new talmidim will come if the veteran ones leave. What will be with the Torah? He who is wise anticipates the future and bears the responsibility for the continuation of the yoke of Torah.”

“And of course the Mir will take care of everything that is needed in gashmiyus and ruchniyus and we’ll a’yh, have the Seder and Pesach and Bein HaZemanim in the yeshivah ha’kedosha.”

“HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky has recommended to the Bnei Yeshivah that it’s appropriate at this time to remain in yeshivah, which is our beit chayeinu. Of course, everyone must consult and receive the permission of their parents.”

“Our only protection is the Torah…there is no safer place than the heichal haTorah b’Eretz HaKedosha. There is no Torah like Toras Eretz Yisrael – everything ascends from Eretz Yisrael.”

“The Gra warned several times that whoever will preempt [events that will be forced on him] and come to Eretz HaKodesh out of their own volition will be saved from a great amount of Ikdisiva D’Mashicha (the tribulations of the time of Moshiach),” the Rosh Yeshivah concluded.

What about the girls in seminaries in Israel this year? YWN has been told that some seminaries have told the girls they cannot go home for Pesach, some seminaries said they can go home for Pesach, and some seminaries have told the girls they should go home for Pesach.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)