### Concern Over Youth in Jerusalem
The Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum, expressed grave concern after observing the behavior of some American yeshiva students during his recent visit to Israel. He described seeing groups of young men “wandering aimlessly” through the streets of Jerusalem, remarking that such behavior represented spiritual decline rather than growth.
> “They are not ascending, they are descending,” he reportedly said in his post-trip address to members of his community.
### Call to Parents and Educators
Rabbi Teitelbaum urged parents in the United States to reconsider sending their sons to study in Israel under unsupervised or lenient conditions. He warned that the allure of social freedom, nightlife, and lack of structure could endanger their spiritual well-being.
He also criticized what he called “lawlessness” among some religious schools and institutions that fail to maintain proper discipline and guidance for their students abroad.
### Broader Message on Guidance and Responsibility
The Rebbe’s remarks reflect a continuing concern within ultra-Orthodox circles about the challenges young students face when studying far from home. He emphasized that Torah study must be accompanied by strong moral and communal support to prevent spiritual erosion.
> “A yeshiva without genuine oversight cannot produce true Torah scholars,” he concluded.
### Author’s Summary
Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum warned that some American yeshiva students in Israel risk losing their spiritual focus due to insufficient guidance and lack of supervision.
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Israel National News — 2025-11-30