"For You, My Son in Volozhin—We’ll Give Everything"

Rabbi Natan Mileikowsky, the grandfather of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, studied for many years at the Volozhin Yeshiva in Lithuania—a legendary center of Torah learning. Later, he left the yeshiva and joined the early Zionist movement, but he never forgot the holiness of those early years.

Rabbi Mileikowsky used to write down memories of his time in Volozhin, where he immersed himself in Torah study day and night.

In one touching letter, he describes the kind of love for Torah that burned in the hearts of parents who sent their sons to learn in this sacred place.

"I will never forget the Klimovitz," writes Rabbi Mileikowsky. "Every morning, he would rise early and take out from a small box a letter he had received from his father—his very first letter in response to the one he had sent home. It seems the son had written about the harsh living conditions in the yeshiva and may have even hinted that he wanted to come back home.

In return, his father wrote back words filled with warmth and encouragement. And every time the son read the letter, tears filled his eyes."

Rabbi Mileikowsky continued to describe the father's message—a letter overflowing with faith, love, and wisdom:

"My dear son, don’t leave Volozhin… The walls of this holy yeshiva, its tables and pillars, are soaked with deep thoughts, pure logic, and noble ideas. Anyone who seeks shelter here can grow into a great and wise person."

He goes on to quote the father's stirring words—proof of how much he and his wife cherished Torah learning:

"I’ll send you money, my precious son! We’ll sell our cow and right away send you eight rubles.

In another week, I’ve decided to go work digging the canal for the landowner. It’s a long canal, and there’s work there for a long time. All the non-Jews in the area are already working there. It won’t be easy for me—a Jew who’s used to studying Torah and running a small shop—to work alongside them.

But for you, my son, who sits and learns Torah in Volozhin, I’ll do everything. Nothing will be too hard for me.

Your mother is also looking for someone to buy her jewelry. With Hashem’s help, we’ll sell it and send you the money. Just promise us one thing—learn, my son. Just learn!"

This was the spirit of devotion that carried generations of Jewish families. For them, Torah learning wasn’t just important—it was life itself.