In light of the current security crisis with the Iran war, Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, has issued new instructions for the chareidi education system, outlining which institutions should remain open and under what conditions.
The directives, released from Rav Landau’s home on Motzaei Shabbos, were shared with administrators of ganim, talmudei Torah, and yeshivos, and are based on the current situation as of Motzaei Shabbos.
According to the instructions:

  • Children below the age of limud Gemara should not attend school at all on Sunday.
  • Girls of all ages are also instructed not to attend school.

For older boys and yeshiva students, Rav Landau allowed for continued learning under strict conditions:

  • From the age of Gemara learning and up, institutions may operate only if the building has a proper mamad (protected shelter) and there is sufficient space for all students to reach it calmly and safely, without panic.
  • In such cases, it is preferable to learn continuously until the afternoon without sending students home for lunch breaks.
  • Yeshivos ketanos may also remain open under the same safety requirements.
  • Parents whose children feel anxious or frightened should not send them to school.

For yeshiva gedolah students, the rosh yeshiva instructed them to remain in the confines of the beis medrash, increase their learning, and not venture outside. “Torah magnah umatzlah,” he emphasized — Torah protects and saves — and under no circumstances should they go out to view the situation. “Zeh pikuach nefesh!” he warned.
Following the announcement of these guidelines, Rav Landau added a heartfelt message to the broader public:
“על כולנו מוטל בימים אלו להתחזק בתורה ובתפילה ובאמונה וביטחון וביראת שמים ולהשרות אוירה נעימה ורגועה בבית ובזמן פורענות מקובלנו ממרן החזו”א שאמירת פרק צ”א יושב בסתר מסוגלת מאד. ושומר ישראל הוא ישמור שארית ישראל. חבי כמעט רגע עד יעבור זעם.”
“In these days, it is incumbent upon all of us to strengthen ourselves in Torah, in tefillah, in emunah, bitachon, and yiras Shamayim, and to create a calm and pleasant atmosphere in our homes. In times of crisis, we have a tradition from the Chazon Ish that reciting Perek 91, Yoshev B’Seser, is especially potent. The Shomer Yisroel will safeguard the remnant of Yisroel. ‘Hide yourself for a short moment until the fury passes.’”
{Matzav.com Israel}