A major decision regarding the future of the Keren Olam HaTorah may be imminent, it has emerged, after a visit by Rav Aviezer Piltz, Rosh Yeshivas Tifrach, to the home of Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka.
During the visit, which took place over Pesach, Rav Piltz is seen expressing deep gratitude to Rav Hirsch for his pivotal role in establishing Keren Olam HaTorah, a fund that has supported the financial stability of the Israeli Torah world over the past year.
Rav Hirsch shared that the original fundraising campaign was only intended to cover one year, and the funds are nearly depleted. He revealed that he is currently weighing whether and how to launch another campaign for the upcoming year.
The fund was created about a year ago in response to a wave of severe financial decrees that threatened the sustainability of kollelim and yeshivos. At that time, Rav Hirsch spearheaded an international campaign to raise desperately needed funds, joined by leading gedolim including Rav Dov Landau, the Vizhnitzer and Rachmastrivka Rebbes, Rav Dovid Cohen, Rav Yitzchok Hillel, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Yitzchok Chevroni, and others.
The initial campaign was met with tremendous success and is credited with helping countless Torah institutions survive a difficult year. Now, the Torah world eagerly awaits Rav Hirsch’s decision, which is expected to be announced ahead of the summer zman.
In addition to the discussion about the fund, the visit included a fascinating exchange between the two roshei yeshiva. Rav Piltz recounted a remarkable anecdote from Rav Hirsch’s youth, when the young Moshe Hillel was a talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l in Lakewood. During a particularly complex shiur, Rav Hirsch raised a sharp question that sparked a debate with Rav Aharon. After hearing the argument, Rav Aharon reportedly said, “He’s right.”
To illustrate the depth of Rav Aharon Kotler’s shiurim, Rav Piltz added that Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, the famed gaon of Volozhin and Rav Aharon’s father-in-law, used to place a wet towel on his head to maintain focus during Rav Aharon’s intense shiurim.
In the halls of the yeshiva world, all eyes are now on Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch as he considers whether to extend the life-saving Keren Olam HaTorah for another year, a decision that may shape the future of countless Torah institutions across Eretz Yisroel.

{Matzav.com Israel}