''Torah life prisoner' Ariel Shamai, a student at the 'Ateret Shlomo' yeshiva in Rishon LeZion, was released at noon (Wednesday) from Prison 10 in Beit Lid - five days before the release date he was sentenced to by the military court.
The news of his release was received in the middle of the funeral for Rebbetzin Mrs. Leah Feiga Sorotzkin, mother of the head of the 'Ateret Shlomo' institutions, the Harshab Sorotzkin, who passed away early this morning.
The young man Ariel Shamai, who was arrested for the "crime" of studying Torah after being declared a "deserter" by the military authorities, became a symbol of the struggle against the draft decree, as he was the first yeshiva student to be arrested from a "mainstream" yeshiva.
Immediately after his arrest, protests and demonstrations developed, and major thoroughfares were blocked. A historic 'general lesson' by the head of the yeshiva, the Hagar Hirsch, was held in the prison plaza, alongside a special protest by thousands of students from the 'Ateret Shlomo' network of TATs.
The 'Million Rally' last Thursday at the entrance to Jerusalem and the surrounding streets was also launched following his arrest.
During his stay in the military prison, he sent letters of encouragement to his friends in the yeshiva, and spoke several times with the Grand Rabbi Sorotzkin, who even came to visit him in prison.
He had a special conversation this week with the yeshiva head, the Ha-Grama Hirsch, after his appeal was rejected. The yeshiva head encouraged him for a long time.
Degel Hatorah chairman, MK Moshe Gafni, spoke with the young man after he was released - and said: "We will do everything we can to prevent this from happening again and to prevent young men from being arrested for studying Torah. I strengthen you and bless you. Return to your Talmud.".
Listen to the exciting conversation:
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
