RECAP: Mass Atzeres Tefillah Draws Hundreds of Thousands: Chareidi Jewry Declares It Will Never Accept the Draft Decree
Hundreds of thousands of Jews gathered in the streets of Yerushalayim on Thursday in a massive atzeres tefillah and outcry before the Ribono Shel Olam, pleading for the annulment of the government’s draft decree and protesting the continued imprisonment of bnei yeshiva who refuse to report to army enlistment offices.
Under the banner “Nikhalu haYehudim al gezeiras ha-giyus,” the event brought together gedolei Yisroel and rabbonim from every community, united in their call to defend the sanctity of Torah and the right of its learners to study without interference.
Massive Turnout and Spiritual Unity
Beginning late Wednesday night, throngs began streaming toward Yerushalayim despite transportation difficulties, eager to arrive early for the historic gathering. Yeshivos across the country organized special early-morning sedarim in nearby batei medrash before heading to the site of the atzeres.
By morning, prominent gedolim had taken their places on balconies and platforms across the capital. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Berel Povarsky, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, the Admorim of Kretchnif and Modzitz, Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rav Yitzchok Ezrachi, Rav Dovid Cohen of Chevron, Rav Shraga Steinman, Rav Tzvi Drebkin, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, and many others were seen at the central balcony of the Yirmiyahu 33 hotel. Rav Dov Landau was seen on a balcony of one of the surrounding buildings.
Nearby, the Gerer Rebbe and Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman led tefillos from the Shmuel Hanavi–Yirmiyahu intersection, joined by the Admor of Sadigura. Other Admorim observed from various locations across the city: the Admor of Belz from the balcony of his grandson’s home on Shmager Street, the Admor of Vizhnitz—who came specially from his lodging in Ora—reciting Tehillim in the nusach of the Yamim Nora’im, the Admor of Slonim on Malchei Yisroel Street, the Admor of Boyan from his kloiz balcony, and the Admor of Sanz at the Yirmiyahu Junction.
The Rosh Yeshiva of Mir, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, stood together with thousands of bochurim and rabbeim of the yeshiva, while gedolei Torah from across the Sephardic world gathered in the Bais Yisroel building under the leadership of Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef and members of the Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.
Tefillos, Tehillim, and Selichos
The gathering, characterized entirely by solemn tefillah rather than speeches or political addresses, opened with Minchah led by Rav Avishai Mandel. Tehillim was then recited following the Seder HaShlah, with the mashgiach, Rav Don Segal, leading one segment. Additional kapitlach were recited by Rav Shalom Baruch Prizand and Rav Mordechai Shepsel Eisenberger.
Selichos and the Yud-Gimmel Middos Harachamim followed, led by Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Eliyahu Man, and the mashpia Rav Elimelech Biderman. Rav Reuven Elbaz then led Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim, followed by Kaddish recited by the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades. The gathering concluded with Tekias Shofar, symbolizing a collective cry to Shomayim.
Gedolei Yisroel Declare: “The Torah Is Our Life”
At the close of the event, the official declaration of the atzeres—approved by the gedolei hador—was read aloud to the masses. Its central messages were:
- “The Torah is our life and the source of our existence,” the declaration stated. “Our fathers sacrificed their lives for its study and preservation. We demand that every Jew who wishes to devote himself to Torah be allowed to do so freely and without limitation, as halachah dictates.”
- The atzeres expressed “deep anguish over the terrible chillul Hashem caused by the shameful imprisonment of bnei Torah who dedicate their lives to learning. The chareidi community will never accept this intolerable situation.”
- It condemned “the judicial and bureaucratic systems that act with arrogance against the Torah and its learners,” urging them to “retract their evil plans, for they will not succeed.” The statement also rebuked the government for “failing to prevent this disgrace.”
- A heartfelt appeal was made “to all our brothers in Israel—especially those distant from Torah—how can it be that only in Eretz Yisroel are lomdei Torah persecuted, while in every other country one may learn freely?”
- Finally, the declaration praised and blessed the bnei yeshivos and avreichim “who dedicate their days and nights to the holy Torah. Be strong and courageous, and may the blessings of all Klal Yisroel accompany you—continue learning with strength, for you are the pride and hope of the Jewish nation.”
As the sun set over Yerushalayim, the thunderous sound of Tehillim and cries of Shema Yisroel echoed through the city, a historic show of unity and spiritual defiance declaring that Am Yisroel will never relinquish its most sacred treasure—the eternal Torah.
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{Matzav.com}
