Speaking at his weekly Saturday night lecture, Sephardic spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef called for the cancellation of the annual three week “bein hazmanim” break for yeshiva students. Rabbi Yosef was discussing the growing movement to draft yeshiva students, in the wake of the march in Tel Aviv Saturday night in which MKs and government officials called for a more equitable sharing of the burden of defending the country.

“We are surrounded by enemies,” Rabbi Yosef said. “We have Iran, we have Hizbullah. What can save us? Only Torah study. We are in great trouble, and we cannot afford to lessen the labor of Torah study. I would ask the heads of yeshivas in the Land of Israel that, if possible, that they not institute a vacation this year. Instead let the students learn and strengthen themselves in Torah. If we do this, G-d will do his part,” he added.