Rav Daniel Zer Warns Against Harming Bnei Torah: ‘There Is No Atonement for Disgracing Torah Scholars’

Rav Daniel Zer Warns Against Harming Bnei Torah: ‘There Is No Atonement for Disgracing Torah Scholars’

Rav Daniel Zer delivered a sharp rebuke this week over the treatment of chareidi protesters by police, condemning incidents in which officers were seen using force and warning of the severe spiritual consequences of harming those who devote themselves to Torah study. During his weekly shiur, Rav Zer addressed footage from last week’s Peleg Yerushalmi demonstrations, where police were seen striking protesters and, in some cases, tearing their clothing. The veteran mashgiach expressed deep pain over the scenes and emphasized the gravity of showing disrespect to bnei Torah. “These police officers think the world is ownerless,” Rav Zer said as he referred to the videos. “To raise clubs and strike bnei Torah? Someone who harms a ben Torah, someone who disgraces a ben Torah—Hashem should have mercy. It is terrifying. They will suffer here as well; there is no atonement for disgracing talmidei chachamim.” To illustrate the seriousness of the matter, Rav Zer recounted a striking story that he said had been related by a noted mekubal. According to the story, a man known throughout his life as a righteous and G-d-fearing individual passed away and was buried outside Eretz Yisroel. Fifteen years later, his children sought to transfer his remains to Eretz Yisroel for reburial. When the grave was opened, those present were astonished to discover that his entire body had remained intact—with one exception. His right leg had been consumed by worms. The unusual sight caused tremendous confusion and anguish, since tradition teaches that the bodies of true tzaddikim do not decay in the ordinary manner. Rav Zer related that the deceased later appeared to his son in a dream, radiant and illuminated. The son, however, was overcome with emotion and asked why his father’s right leg had suffered such a fate despite his righteous life. According to the story, the father responded tearfully and explained that Heavenly judgment is exact. “Know that the judgment of Heaven is true. Only once in my life did I kick, with my right foot, a person who was a ben Torah and yerei Shamayim. For that one kick alone—this was the punishment I received.” {Matzav.com}