“Before Moshiach Comes, Lomdei Torah Will Face Decree After Decree”

H/t Sherry

HaGaon HaRav Zilberstein. (Photo: Shuki Lehrer)

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein wrote a letter of chizzuk to bnei yeshivos ahead of the start of Elul Zeman that was published in the Chareidi newspapers on Friday morning. 

HaRav Zilberstein wrote: “Chazal said at the end of Masechtas Kesuvos, ‘Rabi Zeira said that Rabi Yirmiyah bar Abba said, ‘There will be an accusations against Talmidei Chachamim in the generation in which Ben Dovid comes.’ And Rashi explained, ‘Accusation—many accusers and advocates of guilt will stand against them.’ And further on it says, ‘Affliction after affliction,’ and Rashi explained: ‘Decrees upon decrees.’ And it explains that before Bias Moshiach, there will be many accusations against Talmidei Chachamim, and accusers will stand to advocate guilt against them.”

“And we see this happening—that they are now coming out against bnei yeshivos and Talmidei Chachamim and accusing and inciting against them. They don’t understand that this Limmud Torah protects and saves the entire Jewish nation. And behold, the Torah says, ‘A thousand per tribe, a thousand per tribe’—corresponding with all the soldiers fighting on the physical battlefield, there must be Lomdei Torah who protect and conquer with their limmud—Torah protects and saves.” 

“We are currently experiencing a great tzara—that they want to pull bnei yeshivos away from their Torah and are even imprisoning some of them. Our tafkid is to be mechazeik ourselves, to engage in Torah and Gemilas Chassadim.” 

“Rabban shel Yisrael, HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, already said that the Galus is making its burden heavy upon us, and it is a great tzarah that Jews are persecuting Jews for Limmud Torah.” 

“And especially now, as Zeman Elul begins, we call on the bnei yeshivos: be strong and courageous, and don’t let your hearts weaken, and start the upcoming Zeman with all your strength and enthusiasm, and engage in Torah at all times and in every hour, without idle talk, and thereby you will be zocheh to be the true protectors of the entire Jewish nation.”

“And may we soon be saved with an everlasting salvation, and may all the evil decrees be revoked from all of Am Yisrael, and may you be zocheh to be inscribed לכתיבה וחתימה טובה.” 

“Your brother, who blesses you with love.”

Source: The Yeshiva World