Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin Delivers Stirring Address: “We’re Facing a Difficult Time – But We Can Embrace It with Elevation”
August 4, 20257:15 pm
At the conclusion of the summer zman, the rosh yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, delivered a powerful and emotionally charged shmuess to hundreds of talmidim in the yeshiva’s main beis medrash in Rishon LeTzion. In his remarks, Rav Sorotzkin addressed the current climate of personal and financial sanctions being threatened against bnei Torah and called on his talmidim to face the challenge with inner greatness and unwavering emunah.
“We are entering a difficult and complex period,” the rosh yeshiva said, “and we can’t pretend otherwise. But if we approach it correctly, we can carry it with romemus—elevation—and leitzanusa de’avodah zarah—mockery of idolatry. They speak of ‘personal sanctions,’ ‘economic sanctions,’ as if we’re dependent on them. But they have no power over us. The Creator of all worlds chose us, crowned us as princes in His kingdom. We know the truth—banu bachar Hashem. We are not afraid, because we know Who runs the world.”
Rav Sorotzkin emphasized that this is a unique test for bnei yeshiva in our generation. “Hashem says about you, ‘Chazu chazu banei chavivai’—look at My precious sons. Hashem chose you, even if it comes with some ‘avodas perach’. From all generations, He chose us for this task. He showers us with a special love. I bring you close, you are the ministers in Hashem’s kingdom.”
He urged his talmidim to recognize their inner greatness and responsibility. “We need to know who we are, and understand that everything hinges on us. Everything depends on the shtender. There is no power like it. Every single minute of Torah transforms the world. Billions of people don’t possess the strength of one minute of Torah—we do.”
Rav Sorotzkin shared a story of a recent event he was invited to in the U.S., only to realize upon arrival that it was a public debate on the draft. A traditional Jew, not aligned with the Torah world, began using familiar catchphrases: “equality of burden,” “mutual responsibility.” Rav Sorotzkin replied: “I’m not going to debate you on the worldview of our gedolim—but tell me, do you believe in the Divine origin of Torah? He answered yes.”
“I asked him: Yaakov Avinu said he conquered Shechem ‘with my sword and bow’—but he never fought there! Everyone knows it was Shimon and Levi who attacked. So how can Yaakov say he did it? Rashi says, ‘With my prayers and supplications.’ The battle was spiritually won by Yaakov, even if he wasn’t physically present. Why aren’t Shimon and Levi mentioned? Because ultimately, what determines victory on the battlefield is tefillah and Torah. Hishtadlus is necessary—but it’s only a façade. The real result is decided solely by Hashem, and through tzlusi uva’usi.”
Victory, Rav Sorotzkin said, depends on Klal Yisrael looking heavenward. “When, Heaven forbid, our brothers fall in battle—it’s when there’s a weakness in Yisrael mistaklim klapei maalah. The reduction in Torah learning is what causes the fall—Hashem yerachem.”
He continued: “They tell us, ‘economic sanctions’—what will be? Let me say clearly, and I’ve said it in the dining room before and I’ll say it again: I am not responsible for all of Klal Yisrael, but I take responsibility for each and every one of you—my beloved talmidim and alumni. Whatever the issue, in any area, b’ezras Hashem, I will be there for you. You have nothing to worry about—remove the burden from your hearts.”
Rav Sorotzkin shared an encounter with a wealthy individual who questioned why he should give so much money to Torah. “I told him what the Moreh Nevuchim says—if a massive bridge was built by thousands of non-Jews over decades, was it not ultimately built for Torah? The Moreh Nevuchim says it was. Even if a Jew learns five minutes of Torah on that bridge—that’s the purpose for which it exists.”
“I asked him—so you believe the bridge was built for Torah, but you don’t believe that global business in Manhattan revolves around Torah? Everything you do, every mission Hashem gave you—it’s all for Torah.”
Addressing the threats against the Torah world, Rav Sorotzkin quoted the Rambam at the end of Hilchos Shemitah V’Yovel and Rashi in Shabbos, explaining that someone whose sole occupation is Torah is promised livelihood by Hashem, like the Kohanim who were supported chalef avodasam. “Hashem will provide for the amelei Torah directly—this is His promise.”
He added: “There are people who receive parnassah through their work, through their effort. But the Rambam teaches that those who learn Torah receive directly from Hashem. We are not dependent on you—Hashem has provided for us, provides for us, and will always provide for us.”
In a touching conclusion, Rav Sorotzkin shared a story about meeting former Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer in a Manhattan elevator. “We ended up talking for four hours. He canceled meetings. He told me he can’t understand how the Torah world survives—how chareidim are buying homes when secular Israelis only manage to do so at age forty. He asked, ‘Where did you study economics?’ I told him: ‘Hilchos To’en V’nit’an in the Rambam.’”
“As the meeting ended, he said, ‘I just don’t get how the chareidi economy works.’ I told him, ‘Then open your eyes and see—it’s all from Hashem, who sustains and provides.’”
{Matzav.com Israel}