Atzeres Tefillah on גזירת גיוס in Yerushalayim

At the conclusion of the rally, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman shlita met with the Gerer Rebbe shlita for a short l’chaim. Rav Bergman remarked, “I think a declaration should come out of this rally  that no one is a baal habayis over the Torah. And in any case, we cannot give up on anyone.” The Gerer Rebbe responded, “Of course! It’s true.”

Summary and Translation of the “Declaration of the Atzeres Resolutions”

1.

The assembly publicly declares that Torah is our life and the joy of our hearts. For thousands of years, our ancestors sacrificed themselves for its study and observance. Our nation exists only through the Torah, which has always protected and saved us. Even today, it is solely the holy Torah that safeguards the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Therefore, the assembly demands that the authorities preserve the long-standing arrangement that allows anyone who wishes to dedicate their life to Torah study to do so freely and without restriction. Jewish law prohibits imposing any other burden on those who devote their lives to Torah learning, as they are the hope of our nation.

2.

The assembly expresses deep protest against the terrible desecration of God’s Name caused by the disgraceful arrests and harsh imprisonment of yeshiva students who are engaged in Torah and divine service. This is a serious violation of their right to choose a life of Torah study and a breach of religious freedom guaranteed by law. The chareidi community will not tolerate this situation. The assembly also protests the attempt to restrict or undermine the world of Torah in Israel.

3.

The assembly denounces the judicial and legal establishment, which it accuses of brazenly fighting against Torah scholars. Their decisions and recommendations, it claims, stem only from hostility toward Torah study. “In the place of justice, there is wickedness.” The assembly calls on these systems to retract their harmful path, declaring that their schemes will not succeed. It also criticizes the Israeli government for failing to prevent this disgraceful situation, pledging that Torah study will continue under all circumstances.

4.

The assembly turns with pain to fellow Jews, including those distant from Torah observance, with an impassioned plea: Throughout history, our ancestors gave their lives for Torah how can it be that now, in the Holy Land itself, Torah learners are persecuted? It is unthinkable that while people around the world can study Torah freely, in the Land of Israel Torah scholars should be harassed.

5.

Finally, the assembly praises and exalts the yeshiva students and kollel scholars who devote their days and nights to Torah study. It offers them encouragement: Be strong and courageous, do not fear those who seek to harm you. Continue learning diligently, as the blessing of all Israel accompanies you with honor and admiration—may you be blessed and succeed in your Torah learning, for the glory of the nation of Torah.

Livestream video 

Police say 400,000 participated in the Atzeres

Hundreds of Thousands Head to Yerushalayim for “Million Man Atzeres” Rally Against Conscription Law

Hundreds of thousands of chareidim are making their way to Yerushalayim to protest the proposed conscription law and the drafting of yeshiva bochurim, in what organizers are calling a “Million Man Atzeres” rally.

The event, starting 2:30 pm (8:30am EST) is scheduled to last for two hours, will include the recital of Tehillim and Selichos and is expected to conclude at 4:30 PM. It will take place at the entrance to the city, stretching down Yirmiyahu Street and Malchei Yisroel. There will be no central stage; instead, various yeshivos and rabbonim will lead gatherings along the route.

Authorities have closed Yerushalayim’s Yitzchak Navon Train Station today as tens of thousands converge on the city to participate in the rally.

- Update: Ynet report the death of the bochur during the Atzeres may have been due to a sad case of  mental health illness and not a fall after authorities investigation.

Update: BDE: Habachur Menachem Mendel Litzman ZLage 20 died at the rally after he fell from the construction frame of the tallest building in Jerusalem 40 stories high. It was in the midst of construction, without windows and without elevators. The people climbed the building via cranes.

- BDE: Reports of a fatality R"L for a boy who fell off a roof of a high rise building during the atzeres

The high rise building moments before.

There were unfortunately scenes of teenagers climbing up construction cranes in dangerous situations 

Organizers yelling over loudspeakers for everyone to get off the roofs.

- Signs all over the streets criticizing Shas MK Aryeh Deri for not doing enough regarding the draft

- Atzeres concludes at 4:45

- Rav Don Segal recites tehillim

Rav Meilich Biderman reciting Avinu Malkeinu

Selichos recited in Litvish Chasisish and Sefardi havaara.

- Atzeres gets underway with Mincha

Gerrer rebbe

                         Kedusha

The length of the  crowds

Rav Shaul Alter at the rally

                          Rechov Yirmiyahu

Under the porch of Rav Moshe Hillel

I

Outside Yirmiyahu 33 Hotel crowd control 

Marching by foot to Yerushalayim 

                                 אנו רצים והם רצים

-Rav Dov Landau issues scathing words against 

the secularist zionists Ahead of the rally -

The Israeli government is fighting against  the Torah which is the essence of the Jewish people. They are rebelling against Hashem and causing political damage. The Arabs could come in an instant to destroy us, and the army won't help. After all, it is written:  and the land will expell you. There is one thing that holds it back - Torah study. If you want to throw that thing into the sea, you want to destroy the entire Jewish settlement!

In America, the gentiles know there is a Creator of the world; here, they don't know. Is this the state of the Jews?!

Brisk Rosh Yeshiva Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik spoke out against those organizing a rally doing so in the beginning of the winter zman and causing Bitul Torah

First responders prepare to be on call

Water

Water bottles for Mir yeshiva

Rav Meilich Biderman in davening Behab in Belz bais medrash

A tefilah composed by mekubalim to release the hostages and nullify the gezeiras giyus

Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman arrives 

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch at 33 Yirmiyahu Hotel

Rav Yitzchak Yosef arrived 

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein

Roads closed

:

Harav Moshe Shternbuch, Harav Dovid Cohen, Harav Shimon Galei, Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Harav Berel Povarsky, and Harav Yitzchok Zilberstein are together on a porch at the Yirmiyahu 33 Hotel.

The Gerrer Rebbe is at his home on Yirmiyahu and Shamgar.

Harav Yitzchok Yosef is leading the Atzeres for the Sefardim at Shmuel Hanavi and Bar Ilan.

The Sanzer Rebbe is at Brandeis and Yirmiyahu.

Harav Meir Tzvi Bergman is at Tenuva.

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