Rabbi Asher Weiss Tells [R’ Bunim Shreiber?]: YOU’RE FIRED!
Quoting VIN News (with a recording):
PASSAIC (VINnews) — Rav Asher Weiss shlit”a, one of the Gedolei Eretz Yisrael, spoke in Passaic on Monday. One fundamental and timely topic he addressed was Charedi yeshivos and others in the yeshiva community davening for soldiers. The Rav, not surprisingly, was extremely in favor, and seemed to feel that it’s not even a question, as it is a basic expression of Ahavas Yisrael.
In regards to the fact that Rabbi Weiss’ own Kollel prays for the names of soldiers, he was asked about certain Roshei Yeshiva who are worried that bochurim will think they are “glorifying” Israeli soldiers and be motivated to join the army.
Rabbi Weiss was steadfast and firmly against that mindset, and completely dismissed it.
He said, “That is a very sad state of affairs if we are afraid that if boys daven for soldiers, they may join the army.”He continued, “[If that is the case], the Roshei Yeshiva should go home and pass the mantle to others. I totally disagree [with it].
Rabbi Weiss went further. “Rav Chaim Shmulevitz and Rav Chatzkel Levenstein were yeshivishe guys… I was very close with Rav Shach. Officers used to come on a steady basis to visit Ponevezh, Rav Shach used to always invite them to his office. Every time, he said ‘We have hakaras hatov, you are safeguarding the country and we are learning Torah in your merit.
