Is the Protection of Torah a Chareidi Belief?

No, it is a Modern Orthodox belief as well

In case it wasn’t obvious to everybody until now, the recent attack in Yerushalyim highlights the fact that this war affects everybody, Chilonim, Masortim, and l’havdil Datiim, and Chareidim. Soldiers, civilians, rabbis, yeshiva students, and schoolteachers. In a tiny country the size of New Jersey, nobody is safe from our enemies. Yet even in such a tragic times, it is inspiring to see the increasing recognition of our Father in Heaven and the return to His Torah. We have already published two articles from a friend who is in service, may God keep him safe, urging us to strengthen our Emunah, prayer, Torah study, and observance, and telling us that this is the main defense against our foes. Yesterday, one of our other readers linked to a recording from an officer who spoke about the spectacular Divine providence he witnessed in battle, and who thanked the yeshiva students for their spiritual efforts which help protect the soldiers, and will enable us emerge from this war victorious, God willing.

However, where are the Modern Orthodox in all of this? Do they also partake in this wave of Emunah that is sweeping the nation? Or are they “rationalists” who don’t believe the merit of Torah helps at all, or that it doesn’t have any practical implementations? Perhaps they are clowns who smirkingly ask how many daf of Gemara or chapters of Tehillim it takes to kill each terrorist? But after pondering this conundrum for several weeks, I discovered to my relief that some of them, and likely many of them, have hearts of Emunah as well. Allow me to introduce you to Torah in Motion, a Toronto-based program with a strong online presence which has very solid Modern Orthodox credentials, as good as they come. Here is a sample of some of their “shiurim”:

The Chanukah Menorah: The Curious History of a Jewish Ritual Object, Professor Steven Fine

The Making of a Modern Maccabee, Yael Leibowitz

Rav Kook on "Can Maccabees and Hellenists Get Along?", Rabbi Ari Shvat

Sexuality in Tanakh, Rabbi David Debow

Jewish Queens and the Flawed Men Who Love Them: Female Rulers in Early Judaism, Dr. Malka Simkovich

Saul and Macbeth: The Men who would be King, Dr. Rachel Adelman

Based on this selection, you might be wondering what the “Motion” is with Torah in Motion. Is it the motion of a drunk trying to stumble to the bathroom? Or the motion of a car driving off a cliff? And where is the Torah, exactly? But it would be unfair to characterize Torah in Motion based on these options. There are plenty of apparently normal and acceptable Torah and community topics covered, such that it would be difficult to write off completely. Nevertheless, the Modox hashkafah is definitely present in a strong way. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised to receive the following email from Rabbi Jay Kelman, the director of Torah in Motion:

Dear Friends,

Thank you to the many who have donated to Torah in Motion today. Your support is greatly appreciated by the thousands who benefit from the many offerings of Torah in Motion. 

If you have yet to donate, we kindly ask for your financial support.  

While our focus has rightfully been on support for Israel, it is important to continue supporting Torah learning, both for its great intrinsic value and for our belief that our learning does contribute to the success of our wonderful soldiers who are defending the Jewish people the world over. 

We are proud of the many opportunities for learning we offer with passion, sophistication and nuance in a most accessible way. 

We pray for the safety of our soldiers, the return of the hostages and for peace, security and success.

Bsorot tovot,
Jay 

This is notable for two reasons. The first is the frank admission that the Torah study of some people in Chutz La’aretz contributes to the success of soldiers fighting in Israel. This is a spectacular repudiation of the secularist form of “rationalism” so popular in certain crowds, and embrace of traditional “mysticism” (which is just basic Judaism). But more importantly, it is that Rabbi Kelman turns this into a practical imperative. War is expensive. Really, really expensive. The army could use all the donations it can get. But Rabbi Kelman is asserting in no uncertain terms that you should still donate to Torah in Motion, partially because the Torah study will contribute to our success in battle. This is an earth shattering concession to what is traditionally viewed as a chareidi paradigm. Now, it is possible that Rabbi Kelman was personally of this opinion since time immemorial, but to announce this to his likely mainly Modox followers is a testament to the great wave of Emunah which is sweeping over us. May we all return to God with pure hearts, and merit the coming of Moshiach speedily.