With a Horse and Carriage: Joyous Celebration at Ateres Shlomo as “Prisoner of the Torah World” Returns
A scene of heartfelt jubilation unfolded Wednesday evening at the Ateres Shlomo yeshiva campus in Rishon Lezion, as hundreds of talmdiim gathered to welcome back Ariel Shamai, who had just completed a 15-day sentence in a military prison for not enrolling in the IDF.
Immediately following the levayah of Rebbetzin Leah Faiga Sorotzkin a”h, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin instructed that a festive reception be held for the yeshiva bochur, who had become known as an “Asir Olam HaTorah — a prisoner of the Torah world.”
As Shamai arrived at the yeshiva, the atmosphere was electric. Hundreds of bochurim stood singing and dancing as he entered the gates, where a horse-drawn carriage awaited him. Amid the stirring tunes of “U’v’Lishkoseihem Ein Anu Misytatzvim” and “Tzion Halo Tish’ali,” the joyous crowd surrounded him, celebrating his return to freedom and to Torah learning.
During the reception, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband recited Shehechiyanu — using an avocado — marking the moment with genuine joy and gratitude.
Shamai’s rebbe, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Chaim Feinstein, who had stood outside the prison gates leading the protest during his talmid’s incarceration, met his talmid in the yeshiva’s dining hall and, with visible emotion, recited the brocha of “Baruch Matir Asurim.”
As the crowd erupted in singing, accompanied by musician Bentzi Stein, the heartfelt refrain “Ashrecha shenitfast al divrei Torah — Fortunate are you for being imprisoned for the sake of Torah” — filled the hall.
{Matzav.com}
