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In response to a call issued by Rav Dov Landau, tens of thousands of Yidden gathered Thursday night following Tishah B’Av for mass atzerei tefillah held across Eretz Yisroel, joining together in heartfelt tefillah over the difficult matzav facing Klal Yisroel and the ongoing persecution of lomdei Torah.

The announcement, issued at the direction of Rav Landau, called upon Klal Yisroel to unite in prayer in light of the many challenges confronting the Jewish people. It declared: “Gather together and stand up for our very lives. In light of the difficult situation facing the Jewish people, the crushing hardships from within and without, and the terrible persecution of those who study Torah, by the directive of our master, Rav Dov Landau, all of Klal Yisroel throughout the holy communities of Eretz Yisroel should assemble tonight, Motzoei Tishah B’Av, at 10:00 p.m. for gatherings of prayer and outcry. ‘For the Almighty does not reject the prayers of the multitudes.'”

The central maamad took place at Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak, where Rav Dov Landau was joined by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.

At the same time, dozens of additional atzerei tefillah were held throughout Bnei Brak, including at Yeshivas Orchos Torah, Yeshivas Ponevezh, the Lederman Shul, Divrei Shir, Shomrei Shabbos, Itzkowitz, Ne’os Yosef, Beis Hashem, Beis Tefillah in Kiryat Herzog, Rambam, Ohel Tamar, Siach Tefillah, Mishkan Uziel, Helligman, Mishkenos Yaakov, Tiferes Nachman, Shoneh Halachos, Volozhin, Yotzei Chevron, Yotzei Orchos Torah, and numerous other batei medrash and batei knesses.

In Yerushalayim, the primary gathering was held at Yeshivas Mir, while additional tefillah assemblies took place at the Chazon Ish shul in Ramat Shlomo, the Bnei Yeshivos batei knesses in Neve Yaakov and Romema, and the Bnei HaYeshivos shul in Pisgat Ze’ev.

Similar gatherings were also held in Beit Shemesh, Modi’in Illit, Elad, Beitar Illit, Ofakim, Rechasim, Haifa, Tiveria, Petach Tikvah, Afula, Ganei Ayalon in Lod, and numerous other cities and communities throughout Eretz Yisroel.

In Modi’in Illit, the atzerei tefillah took place at Ketzos HaChoshen, Zichron Moshe, Heichal Yitzchok, Meromi Sadeh, Sha’agas Aryeh, Kehillas Rebbi Yehudah HaNasi, and Meshovev Nesivos. In Rechasim, gatherings were held at Ohel Malka, Heichal Moshe, Shivtei Yisroel, HaMinyan HeChadash, and the city’s Bnei HaYeshivos center.

Organizers said the purpose of the gatherings had been to unite Klal Yisroel in earnest tefillah and to beseech Rachamei Shomayim during a period of tremendous tzaros, while strengthening support for the olam haTorah in the face of the continuing challenges confronting bnei Torah.

The Vizhnitzer chassidus has announced plans for a major gathering at Meron later this month, where thousands of chassidim are expected to assemble for special tefillos for the recovery of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, while also rallying in support of the Torah world amid what organizers describe as the ongoing persecution of bnei Torah.

The event, titled “Makdishei Shemecha,” is scheduled to take place, be’ezras Hashem, on Tuesday, the 28th of Menachem Av, in Meron under the leadership and with the participation of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe.

The program will begin with a large tefillah gathering at the tziyun of Rashbi, where participants will daven for the Rebbe’s complete recovery. The event will also serve as a public outcry over what organizers describe as the disgrace of Torah and the persecution of its learners, under the banner, “Shelo Sishokach Torah MiYisroel.”

Following the prayers at the tziyun, a massive assembly will take place at a nearby venue for Vizhnitzer chassidim. Organizers stressed that admission will require a special entry card distributed through local coordinators. At the same time, the chassidus’ bochurim studying in its yeshivos will unite in tefillah from their respective batei medrash throughout the country.

A central focus of the gathering will be the launch of a new financial fund aimed at ensuring long-term support for families of avreichim devoted to full-time Torah study. Supporters are being asked to commit to sponsoring an avreich for a three-year period at a cost of 30,348 shekels.

In addition, the chassidus is preparing for a special “Shabbos Lo Sishokach” in Meron—a Shabbos of inspiration, yearning, and closeness to Hashem together with the Rebbe—for those who join in supporting families of avreichei Torah.

In a notice, organizers emphasized that the required contribution has been set at an amount intended to be attainable for participants and that no discounts or last-minute changes will be permitted. The announcement added that supporters may seek donations from outside the Vizhnitzer community to help fulfill their commitments.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Shraga Shteinman delivered a powerful message about faith and priorities during a meeting with the head of a prominent yeshiva, expressing surprise that so many people are preoccupied with geopolitical developments while giving little thought to the imminent possibility of the coming of Moshiach.

During the Nine Days, the visiting Rosh Yeshiva met with Rav Shteinman to seek guidance on several halachic and hashkafic questions related to the summer camp scheduled to begin after Tishah B’Av.

During their discussion, the Rosh Yeshiva raised concerns about the increasingly tense security situation with Iran and the possibility that war could erupt at any moment. He asked whether, in light of the uncertain military and political developments, it would be appropriate to slow or temporarily suspend preparations for the camp.

Rav Shteinman responded with a heartfelt observation about the Jewish people’s priorities. “People are talking about Trump and not about Moshiach?” he asked. He went on to lament that so many are consumed by fears over political and military developments while so few are anticipating the arrival of Moshiach, whose coming would render all current plans irrelevant as the Jewish people journey to Yerushalayim and the rebuilt Beis Hamikdash.