Sanzer Rebbe: Most Secular Israelis Respect Torah Despite Media Incitement

The Sanzer Rebbe expressed his view that despite media-fueled hostility toward the Torah world, most secular Israelis maintain genuine respect for Torah and its students. He made these comments during a meeting with a young Torah scholar who had recently been released from military prison after refusing to leave yeshiva study.

The encounter took place Thursday evening at the Rebbe's home, attended by the Ziditshov Bnei Brak Rebbe, Rabbi Chaim Pinter, and his son Shmuel Shmelke Pinter, who had completed a prison sentence for remaining in yeshiva.

The Sanzer Rebbe encouraged the young man by recounting a story his father, the Klausenberger Rebbe, frequently shared about Rav Aharon of Kriz, who had been imprisoned. The Rebbe noted that when asked to pray for Rav Aharon's release, the Divrei Chaim reminded people that Yosef HaTzaddik, the Maharam of Rottenburg, and the Ruzhiner Rebbe had all experienced imprisonment. When someone suggested imprisonment constituted a desecration of God's name, the Divrei Chaim responded that "the true chilul Hashem is forgetting Hashem, even for a single moment." The Rebbe explained he had deliberately withheld this story while the young man remained incarcerated, saying "I did not want to say this while he was still sitting in prison... Not everything can be imitated."

The discussion turned to the draft controversy and treatment of Torah scholars. The Ziditshov Rebbe suggested convening leading rabbinical authorities to place a cherem on those campaigning against the Torah world. The Sanzer Rebbe responded by recalling his father's earlier proposal to organize chareidi attorneys to defend Torah Judaism through the legal system. He noted his father "was wise and could foresee the future... He wanted to gather chareidi attorneys who would coordinate everything related to protecting the interests of Torah Judaism through the legal system in Eretz Yisroel."

The Rebbe criticized government officials as acting arrogantly and without restraint, but stressed they do not reflect broader public sentiment. He asserted that most Jews in Israel maintain faith and respect for Torah and religious life, with media creating a false impression of anti-Torah sentiment. He cited personal experiences in places like Netanya and Caesarea where non-observant Jews approached him requesting blessings and showed respect, saying "This is the majority of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel."

Regarding the ongoing war, the Rebbe noted it has created confusion among those unfamiliar with Torah's sanctity while inspiring others to strengthen faith and seek blessings and prayers.

On hostility toward the chareidi community, the Rebbe suggested many secular Jews should not be judged harshly as they were never properly taught Torah. However, he added that organized hatred of religion reflects what his father attributed to the influence of the Eirev Rav.

The Rebbe concluded by expressing confidence in Torah's eternity, recalling his father's frequent assurance that Torah would endure regardless of challenges. Before departing, he blessed the young scholar, expressing belief he had been chosen to sanctify God's name and hope that future joy would far exceed present suffering.