Ponevezher Roshei Yeshiva Issue Scathing Condemnation of Attacks on Rav Feivelson

Ponevezher Roshei Yeshiva Issue Scathing Condemnation of Attacks on Rav Feivelson

Two senior roshei yeshiva of Ponevezh Yeshiva issued unusually forceful letters Thursday condemning a series of violent disruptions and attacks targeting Rav Eliyahu Meir Feivelson, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Pischei Olam. Rav Chaim Peretz Berman and Rav Dovid Miller expressed their support for Rav Feivelson following repeated incidents in which extremists interfered with his shiurim and activities, including a disturbance during Tisha B’Av prayers. Rav Berman described Rav Feivelson as “a distinguished person, wise and understanding, righteous and G-d-fearing, one who brings merit to the public and has turned many away from sin.” Quoting Chazal, Rav Berman wrote, “Those who are insulted but do not insult others, who hear themselves disgraced but do not respond—regarding them, the posuk says, ‘Those who love Him shall be like the sun emerging in its strength.’” He expressed deep anguish over the Tisha B’Av incident, writing that “young boys came out and mocked you with violence, brazenness, and degradation of the Torah.” Rav Berman explained the description “young boys” through the words of Chazal in Maseches Sotah, referring to people “shorn of the mitzvos” and “small in emunah.” He added that the assailants “continued their actions with appalling cruelty of a kind that should not be found among the Jewish people.” Rav Berman offered Rav Feivelson a brachah that “only goodness and kindness should pursue you all your days, and may the schemes of all those plotting evil against you quickly be frustrated and their plans ruined.” He also prayed that “the accusations against talmidei chachomim should cease, and the actions of violent men should come to an end.” Rav Dovid Miller added a handwritten message to Rav Berman’s letter, condemning the growing belief that ideological and religious disputes may be settled through intimidation or physical force. “The words above require neither reinforcement nor elaboration,” Rav Miller wrote. “How great is the anguish that the notion has taken root among part of the public that debates—whether concerning halachah, aggadah, or communal leadership—should be settled with a wicked fist and the hands of Eisav whenever they lack arguments capable of persuading others, thereby silencing the voice of Yaakov.” The letters from the Ponevezh roshei yeshiva join a series of public expressions of support Rav Feivelson has received from leading gedolei Yisrael. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch previously issued a strongly worded letter supporting Rav Feivelson, describing the violence against him as “false kana’us” that “causes a chillul Hashem.” He urged Rav Feivelson to continue his educational work despite the intimidation. Rav Feivelson has faced repeated attempts in recent months to disrupt his shiurim and communal activities. On Tisha B’Av, extremists entered a bais medrash during the recitation of kinnos and interfered with his shiur, an incident that caused widespread outrage in the Torah community. Rav Feivelson is among the prominent talmidim of Rav Moshe Shapira and is also one of the leaders of Chelki B’Kehillati. {Matzav.com}