R. Israel Meir Ha Kohen begins by lamenting the current situation where Torah study has declined and where the population of some Yeshivot has diminished by one third to one half, and further where some Yeshivot have even closed completely. He states that he knows some will answer that in such a perilous time it is more important to save lives than to worry about studying Torah. He continues to say that although Pikuah Nefesh (saving a life) is a mitzvah that is greater than all other mitzvoth, he asks why the portion that is for Hashem is first neglected – that parents are making sure that their sons have a secular education so that they can earn a living ..

Therefore, he says, it is an obligation on us , even at this time, to strengthen and to encourage the lot of Torah….there are some places where there are battles, or students are called to the army… but why are Yeshivot Ketanot (for young students) diminished? And more than that – at this time whne Israel (Jews) and all the world needs the mercy and protection (of Hashem) should we not increase Yeshivot and Torah learning?