Editing Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim (section)

== Times of Hardship ==
On the 20th of Sivan 1902, the Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim was closed for one day by order of the authorities, following accusations from the maskilim (enlightened Jews). The Frierdiker Rebbe (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak) ignored the police order and asked Yaakov the builder to prepare stairs so the bochurim could enter through the window. The next day, a telegram arrived from the police commander giving permission to reopen the yeshiva.

==== During World War I ====
Even during the difficult days of World War I, not only did the enthusiasm of Chabad chassidim not weaken, but they also established yeshivos in various cities. This work continued even after the Soviets rose to power. The number of yeshivos increased even when they were forced underground and had to operate in secret due to persecution and the evil eye of Jewish informers, members of the Yevsektsia, who were determined to destroy the fortresses of religion.

At that time, the American Joint Distribution Committee supported the Tomchei Temimim yeshivos in their time of need. At the initiative of its director Dr. J. Rosen, $50,000 per year was allocated for religious education under the leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, which was considered an enormous sum at the time.

==== Under Yevsektsia Rule ====
During the Communist era, the Frierdiker Rebbe's educational program (who assumed leadership of Chabad after his father's histalkus on 2 Nissan 1920) changed completely. It expanded to many levels and encompassed various subjects. It cared not only for students close to Chabad chassidus but for all Jewish youth, and dealt not only with in-depth study at a high level but also with elementary education for young children. The Frierdiker Rebbe established dozens of chadarim in secret with the help of his chassidim, and Chabad yeshiva students became teachers and educators for Jewish children.

Seven years, from 1920 to 1927, were, surprisingly, years of flourishing Torah education in Russia, maintained by the Frierdiker Rebbe, his chassidim, yeshiva students, and their disciples. These activities were conducted in hiding. They hid in basements and concealed places, doing their work in secret. They were prepared for anything if their hiding places were discovered - prison, exile, and even giving up their lives, except for one thing - surrendering. The Bolshevik authorities knew this too.

In 1927, the Yevsektsia members decided to eliminate all religious education in Russia. They knew the Frierdiker Rebbe was the head and driving force of this education and informed on him to the Soviet secret police (GPU), claiming he was acting against the revolution as a "counter-revolutionary." As a result, the Frierdiker Rebbe was arrested.

After his release, he was expelled from Russia, but the Tomchei Temimim network not only didn't close but continued with greater strength and intensity.

==== COVID-19 Pandemic ====
Following the virus outbreak, the ability to learn in public spaces was paralyzed. The yeshivos continued to operate through remote learning methods. Many yeshivos used dedicated phone lines through which rabbonim delivered shiurim and farbrengens, and through which chavrusas learned together.

During the period when the Ministry of Health allowed essential educational frameworks in closed and isolated capsules, many yeshivos opened capsules through which they maintained learning on the platforms made available to them.

==== Operation Iron Swords ====
In the initial period of Operation Iron Swords, the conditions for maintaining educational systems were reduced following Home Front Command guidelines according to the situation. For example, yeshivos were required to provide access to protected spaces within reasonable distance from their learning areas. The yeshivos relocated to buildings with shelters and arranged themselves according to legal requirements.