Maran Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, addressed the public controversy surrounding his remarks on Monday night at a gathering of community rabbonim organized by the Ichud Bnei Yeshiva. His comments had been widely interpreted as criticism of soldiers from the Religious Zionist community following their publication from a private meeting.
Rav Landau said his private remarks had been misrepresented. "As was proven over the past day when remarks I made during a private conversation were published, those motivated by hatred of the unlearned approached those words with distortion and complete misunderstanding," He told the assembled rabbonim.
The remarks stemmed from a private meeting at his home with the heads of Yeshivas Mir, where he had spoken critically about what he referred to as the "knitted-kippah community." The publication sparked strong reactions across Israel's political spectrum. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu rejected the remarks, stating that "IDF soldiers deserve the deepest appreciation." Degel HaTorah issued a statement defending Rav Landau and cautioning critics, "Beware of speaking against the Torah giants."
Speaking to yeshiva students at the same gathering about the upcoming bein hazmanim period, Rav Landau advised them to avoid ideological arguments with those whose way of life differs from theirs. "Our worldview is clear to us from our rabbonim, the mighty giants of the land, from whose teachings we draw," He said.
He further warned bnei yeshiva against engaging in debates with those who "persecute the Torah and those who study it," Characterizing such individuals as incapable of understanding or accepting the worldview of earlier rabbinic authorities including the Chazon Ish and the Brisker Rav.