A LETTER FROM THE MOETZES GEDOLEI HATORAH
(Free translation)
27 Shevat, 5781
“Spring has passed and summer is over – we have not
yet been saved.” (Yirmiyah 8:20) Thousands of our
fellow Jews, among them Torah giants and tzaddikim,
have been afflicted with the terrible COVID-19 disease,
and – may Hashem help us! – many of those have passed
away. The pandemic has greatly diminished the Torah
learning in our yeshivos, Bais Yaakovs, and shuls; it has
curtailed our Yomim Tovim and celebrations.
It is clear that there is upon our nation an appeal
from Heaven to correct our ways. Every person must
examine his behavior and strengthen whatever may
be lacking. But, in addition to that, the public – as a
tzibbur – must examine its collective actions and
lifestyle. We therefore feel it important to bring up
a fundamental and broad point on which the public
should now focus.
Klal Yisroel is a “nation of princes and a holy people.”
The dedication of our people to Torah learning and to
raising thousands upon thousands of families on the
foundations of Torah and service to Hashem should
be proclaimed far and wide! It is only the nation of
princes, the holy people, who can do this despite the
influence of the culture surrounding us. How fortunate
are we, and how good is our lot!
However, we must remember that the meaning of “a
holy people” is a people who – as Ramban, Vayikra
19:2 explains – distance themselves from the pursuit
of excess. It is greatly concerning to us that if one
examines our community’s lifestyle we see that there is
much to improve in this area, as reflected, for example,
in the advertisements in periodicals.
There are amongst us people who, notwithstanding
their care with mitzvos, pursue fine foods and expensive
vacations; they boast of their clothing and furniture;
they are swayed by the triviality and bad of unfiltered
smartphones and internet. Those who are engaged
in these pursuits have turned from the lifestyle that
was always a characteristic sign of the chareidi Jew: a
modest life centered around Torah, service to Hashem,
and kindness to others; a life purposed on being close
to Hashem. All Jews are responsible for one another;
we must all repent on this direction.
Certainly, in this time of danger, we must act with great
care for the health of our communities. It is, however,
also a holy obligation on us to uproot this spiritual
danger from amongst ourselves and to return to being
a holy nation to Hashem.
We turn to the Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbanim – the
eyes of the community – and to all leaders in every
community: Seek ways to inspire your yeshivos and
shuls to return to what was; not to allow the Jewish
nation to descend into the trap of a life of materialism.
Through this we will remain a nation of princes and
holy people, in the full meaning of the words.
At the same time, we call upon the public to
participate in Yom Kippur Katan tefillos this
Thursday, and may any who have the ability to
accept upon themselves to fast at least half the
day, or to accept a taanis dibbur, be blessed.
In the days following Yom Kippur Katan, as
well, we call upon the public to increase prayer
– by saying Tehillim and crying out to Hashem
that He save us, and the entire Jewish people,
from the difficult time we are in – until His
wrath passes and He takes mercy on us.
May Hashem recognize our prayer and good deeds
and send Heavenly salvation from this and from all
afflictions, and may Yehuda and Yerushalayim be
saved in our days.
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America
