Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad in Eretz Yisroel has issued a public letter calling on Anash to take part in the Atzeres Tefillah Uze’akah to be held this Thursday, 8 Cheshvan, at the entrance to Yerushalayim. The massive demonstration, referred to as the “Million-Man Rally,” is being organized in response to the government’s proposed draft law and the recent arrests of yeshivah bochurim who have not enlisted in the army.

The Beis Din’s letter emphasizes the importance of strengthening Torah and tefillah at this time, as attempts continue to disrupt the long-standing arrangement that has allowed Chabad bochurim to dedicate themselves to Torah study and hafatzas hamaayanos before beginning army service. The rabbonim warn that these changes place many bochurim and shluchim in danger and could harm their ability to continue their learning and shlichus undisturbed.

They write that the current campaign is not merely a legal or political issue but “an attempt to weaken Torah learning itself, the true protection of the Jewish people.” The Beis Din stresses that “the Torah study of our talmidim in the yeshivos provides protection and merit for Klal Yisroel even more than those who stand on the physical frontlines.”

Addressing the roshei yeshivos and mashpi’im, the rabbonim call upon them “to guide their bochurim to remain firm in Torah and avodas Hashem, to strengthen their diligence in learning nigleh and chassidus, and to avoid involvement in anything that could distract from their mission.”

At the same time, the Beis Din expresses support for the upcoming atzeres tefillah veza’akah and calls on the Chabad community to join in unity with the wider community. “On Thursday, 8 MarCheshvan, tens of thousands of our brethren will gather for an Atzeres Tefillah Uze’akah in Yerushalayim,” the letter states. “We hereby call upon Anash to come and participate in the atzeres tefillah Uze’akah to daven and cry out for the protection of Torah learning and those who dedicate their lives to it.”

The Beis Din adds that the participation of bochurim from the yeshivos ketanos and gedolos should be arranged according to the decision of each yeshivah’s hanhalah.

The letter concludes with a bracha that “we should merit the fulfillment of the promise ‘and your people are all tzaddikim,’ and that Hashem should bless His nation with peace and protect us from all harm, both spiritual and physical, with the true and complete Geulah through Moshiach Tzidkeinu, immediately.”

The letter is signed by Rabbi Yitzchok Yehuda Yeroslavsky, Av Beis Din, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, and Rabbi Moshe Havlin.