Knishta Chada Newsletter - Adar II, Issue No. 47
The Call of The Rav shlit"a to Gather for an Assembly
It is known how deeply pained The Rav shlit"a is by the many victims that, to our sorrow, are befalling us morning after morning. Therefore, the Rav called to hold an assembly in order to sweeten the terrible decrees. On the 7th of Adar I, the *hilula* (anniversary of passing) of Moses our Teacher, and amidst wintry weather, more than a thousand people gathered together at the Cave of the Patriarchs (Ma'arat HaMachpelah). They responded to the Rav's words and prayed throughout the entire night for the salvation of Clal Yisrael (the Jewish people). These are the Rav's words regarding the assembly that took place: "The gathering helped in an extraordinary way, in a way that I cannot describe to you. The gathering created effects in Heaven and on earth." The Rav shlit"a was very happy with the holding of the assembly, and even said that the assembly enacted wonderful rectifications. However, the Rav added that the disasters are only increasing, as upright Jews are hurt every day and ascend upward as the *Tamid* offerings, 'two each day,' and great Rabbis and Tzaddikim are persecuted in the public square. The Rav specifically mentioned the suffering being endured by the Gaon Rabbi Pinto shlit"a, who sacrificed his soul for the Nation of Israel and was thrown into prison like one of the criminals, without any shame or compassion.
Therefore, the Rav now appeals to the entire Nation of Israel to arise and gather for a massive assembly, which will take place with Hashem's help on Tuesday, the 12th of Adar II, the eve of the Fast of Esther 5776, at the plaza of the Cave of the Patriarchs in the Holy City of Hebron. This is the language of the Rav shlit"a: "Tuesday night we expect between ten to twenty thousand people. We are approaching the secret of the *Hiyuli* (primordial matter/void); whoever is in the secret of the *Hiyuli*, no one can touch him. The entire nation will do *teshuvah* (repentance) due to the terrible things and the disgrace they did to Rabbi Pinto. It is the disgrace of our generation that we did not save him. A man who distributed billions to charity, and because of things that never happened and never existed [they did what they did]. The Rabbi who brought millions back in *teshuvah*—they imprison him for show, just as they did to Rabbi Yoram Abergel zt"l. Such hatred [for holiness] has not existed since the days of Creation. They became afraid of Rabbi Berland who held gatherings of thousands in stadiums. Now we will hold a gathering every four weeks; this is worth more than anything. And the more they speak about the Rav and fan the fire, the greater the holy fire will grow, the flame of God, and there will be 'A new light will shine upon Zion' (Psalms 137), and the flame will grow from minute to minute. We are waiting for the entire nation to identify with the injustices committed here."
"Whoever participates in this gathering is a child of the World to Come and will merit to enter Gan Eden with his body, like Batya the daughter of Pharaoh who sacrificed her soul to save Moses. She was not afraid of the wicked Pharaoh even though he pretended to be a Zionist. They cannot tolerate the holiness of the Tzaddikim, of Joseph the Tzaddik who was in prison for 12 years. Abraham was in prison for ten years, Moses was there for three years. The greater the darkness, the more the light will break through. Even after the Messiah comes, there will be millions of clarifications. They will come to the gathering from all ends of the world, from Miami, because Hashem is now bringing down tremendous lights of *teshuvah*. There are already two million *baalei teshuvah* (returnees to the faith) and they cannot tolerate it." Subsidized transportation from all over the country will be available to the assembly. Details will follow and are available on the information line: 077-229-2222.
Let no man be missing!
The Virtue of Praying for The Rav shlit"a by Rabbi Shalom Arush shlit"a
Following the decisive call of The Rav shlit"a to gather for a prayer assembly near the graves of the Patriarchs, other Rabbis joined the call. Rabbi Shalom Arush shlit"a spoke on the information line before the previous assembly held at the Cave of the Patriarchs, strengthening the need to participate in the assembly. At that same occasion, Rabbi Arush added and strengthened the need for prayers for the Rav himself, saying: "Whoever says The Tikkun HaKlali for the success of my teacher and master, Rabbi Eliezer ben Etya shlit"a, Rabbi Berland promised that he will do him an eternal favor in this world and in the World to Come. We at the Yeshiva will do one hour of *Hisbodedus* for the Rav's success and we will also recite thousands of Tikkun HaKlalis." In another conversation, Rabbi Arush shlit"a added and said, "Whoever prays for my teacher and master, Rabbi Eliezer ben Etya, sees salvations in all matters."
The Story of The Rav shlit"a's Rescue in Johannesburg
Over four hundred people arrived in Johannesburg for the Shabbat before Tu B'Shvat to spend Shabbat with The Rav shlit"a. This was a larger gathering than the one held last Chanukah; the hotel was at full capacity and people who did not secure a place slept on blankets on the grass outside. Although it is customary for students to come to their Rebbe for Tu B'Shvat, this time the Rav urged everyone to come specifically before Shabbat, and told the 'Knishta Chada' line to announce to everyone that these are days when great things regarding the *Geulah* (Redemption) will happen. In fact, throughout that entire week, the Rav spoke about the pursuers and their plots, saying that because of the wedding he is conducting, they would try to arrest him, and although they did not succeed in previous times, Hashem is hardening their hearts, like Pharaoh. "So that you may tell in the ears of your son and your son's son that which I have mocked Egypt, and My signs which I have placed among them." The wedding of one of the community families was supposed to take place on Sunday, the eve of Tu B'Shvat, but the Rav told them to advance it to before Shabbat, because he knew exactly what was destined to occur.
The Rav shlit"a conducted an amazing Kabbalat Shabbat prayer service in the tent that remained on site from the wedding, and at 11:00 PM retired with his family to the guest apartment in the hotel to hold the *seudah* (Shabbat meal). However, the atmosphere of holiness was violated in an instant, when half an hour later, in the midst of the Holy Shabbat, ten patrol cars of the Special Police Unit suddenly emerged. The situation was dangerous; 60 officers dressed in black with drawn weapons moved between the rooms, searching frantically for The Rav. It was enough to look at their faces to understand that their intentions were not peaceful. A mortal danger hovered there, and indeed one of the children staying with his family stopped breathing as a result of the fear and had to be evacuated to the hospital during Shabbat. The entire hotel was fenced around, and in fact, according to the way of nature, The Rav shlit"a did not have much chance of being saved from their cruel hands.
The hotel where the Rav and the community were staying is built of villas, two rooms downstairs and two upstairs. The police went from villa to villa, searching meticulously. And behold, they arrive at the villa of The Rav shlit"a and immediately scan the two rooms on the ground floor and are about to go upstairs to the room of the Tzaddik, just as they did in all the other villas. The Rav is sitting and learning in his room calmly with the door open, and all the students are holding their breath. The police are already standing near the staircase and suddenly, without any explanation, they continue onward without going up. And if that were not enough, after a few minutes the Rav exits his room; one of the policemen stands in front of him, looks at him, but sees nothing! Hashem blinded the eyes of the police, and as in all of Jewish history, the wicked—even though they strove with all their might to fight the root of holiness, the Tzaddik upon whom the entire world stands—the Tzaddik was ultimately saved. "No evil shall befall the righteous, but the wicked are filled with evil" (Proverbs 12:21).
(Know, that when the Holy One, Blessed be He, looks at a soul that can bring people back in *teshuvah* and make converts, then He, may He be Blessed, Himself, as it were, requests and sees to it that there will be conflict against him. For converts are not accepted in the days of the Messiah nor in the days of Solomon (Yevamot 24) because of the "table of kings" [prosperity], for then they do not convert out of love but only because they see the greatness of Israel. The main [value of] converts is when they convert at a time when Israel is downtrodden in poverty and distress, as it is written (Isaiah 54): "Who dwells with you in your poverty," etc. (see Gemara there). Therefore, it is necessary that there be conflict against the one who brings people back to the good and converts converts, so that he will have no tranquility. For then, whoever draws close to him does so in truth, and then he can convert converts in truth, not because of peace and comfort, etc. — Likutey Moharan 228)
The Admor of Kaliv on The Rav shlit"a
Only a fraction of the suffering that The Rav shlit"a has taken upon himself to save the Nation of Israel is known to the many. We can only guess to what extent the Rav sacrifices his soul to sweeten judgments from upon the people. The difficult events chase one after another, and some of us have already managed to forget that only a short time ago the Rav shattered his leg and required complicated surgeries to fuse the fractures. Along with this, it is known that the pain of exile and the distance from the Holy Land touches the very soul of the Rav, and if that were not enough, pursuers are added along the way who only contribute to the suffering the Rav shlit"a endures.
This past week, we became aware of the trembling words of his holiness, the Admor of Kaliv shlit"a, regarding The Rav. "Whoever touches even a single hair of this righteous man, in the end, will receive... may Hashem have mercy... Rabbi Berland is a righteous man, and I can testify, I knew him, I saw him, an honest man!" The love between the righteous Admor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Taub of Kaliv, and his holiness, our Teacher the Rav shlit"a, is well known. Also well known is the difficult life story endured by his holiness the Admor. He who survived the Auschwitz extermination camp after many tortures and sufferings, yet despite this continued in holiness and even strengthened many others. Thus he continued this week and expressed himself regarding The Rav shlit"a: "We must do everything, and I ask for mercy from those people, not only organizations that are obligated... The Rambam rules one must save lives. I ask even those who are against religion! They need to know that if they help bring Rabbi Eliezer ben Etya to light, then they have the merit of the World to Come"!!
"And I request that in all the Talmud Torahs, everyone in their place, with the help of Heaven, should say one chapter of Psalms with the children in order to save this dear man whom many need. Happy is the portion of whoever helps; he will see satisfaction (nachas) in his entire life."
Predatory Bacteria
"I really ask you to write that I did not add an extra word to my story. Since this story sounds delusional, I am elaborating, but I am very precise with the details. I am not a man who gets excited by every nonsense.
My name is Yitzchak Richard, and I am a Litvish *avreich* (married Torah student) who grew up and flourished in the Yeshivas and the Litvish world. I have a friend who became close to Breslov, and he asked me one day to learn through Likutey Moharan with him. I agreed, but not because the book interested me, but in the aspect of 'Know what to answer an Apikores (heretic).' Meaning, if some Breslover comes and enters into a debate with me, I will know what to answer him. I have, thank God, good proficiency in many Mussar books and also in Tanya, and now an opportunity fell into my hands to fill this hole as well.
One day as I am sitting and learning with him, one of the learners in the Beit Midrash turned to me and suggested I come with them to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. Before he arranged the ticket for me, I asked my wife, who answered that as far as she was concerned, I certainly shouldn't go, but I should do what I see fit. I went to arrange a passport for the trip and discovered that I am not Israeli at all; although I was born in Israel, I am considered a French citizen. After a story that was not simple at all, and with the help of a good friend, I managed to get an emergency passport from the French consulate.
Thank God, I arrived in Uman, at the holy grave of Rebbe Nachman. I gave a coin to charity and said The Tikkun HaKlali. From that moment, I felt that everything was worth it, that I am a Jew. On the Friday night before Rosh Hashanah, I entered the Kloyz (synagogue), and in my great 'wisdom,' I managed to see the bad in everyone. I prayed to Hashem Yitbarach to save me from the evil within me, then I went to the grave and prayed that He grant me the merit to see the good in everyone. It was hard for me, because in my past I was also a Torah scholar and possessed confidence; for example, if our Rosh Yeshiva was missing, I would replace him. And with that, I was also a 'friendly guy' whom people like. Suddenly, I arrive at Rebbe Nachman's grave and they show me that I cannot continue to burn the world like this. I didn't know what to do, until I went to some corner and let out a mighty roar for Hashem to save me.
Before Tashlich, I felt that I wasn't a Breslover. Everyone was in unity, and I was such a huge 'wise guy' who only manages to see the bad in everyone. I said to myself, 'You really stink, you simply cannot continue like this.' I go down to Tashlich and on the way, a small child approaches me and asks if I can accompany him. And while walking, he asks if I am a Breslover. 'I don't know, I am debating exactly that question. What do you say?' 'No!' 'So what do I need to do to be a Breslover?' 'First, you can't be a Breslover in secret,' he throws at me. I felt a kind of elevation, that suddenly a child comes and tells me the feelings of my heart.
On Rosh Hashanah, I tried to strengthen myself in *Emunah* (faith) and trust, to throw away the intellect and walk in the path Hashem leads me. This was expressed, among other things, by the fact that in the apartment next to us there were guys from Ashkelon who didn't go to pray. I clarified the reason with them, and they answered that at home they also don't pray, and now they are doing the same thing, just near Rebbe Nachman. I continued and asked, if I arrange a *minyan* here, will you come to pray? They confirmed. This was truly *mesirus nefesh* (self-sacrifice) for me, to be in Uman and not pray at the grave, and indeed the *minyan* grew. I felt inside that this sacrifice would merit me an illumination from Hashem Yitbarach, and so I walked around the grave waiting for this light, searching and not knowing for what. While walking, I entered the Kloyz and saw an older Chassid praying, and I simply couldn't stop looking at him. I had never seen such a thing; he was shining, truly something massive. When the prayer ended, I asked for his name and they told me this is Rabbi Shimshon from Mea Shearim.
On the way back from Uman, two people sat next to me who told me stories about Rabbi Berland shlit"a the entire way. I yearned to see him, and to my joy, it turned out that one of them is in contact with the Rav shlit"a, and additionally lives near my parents in Shaarei Chesed (I myself live in the Katamon neighborhood). We arranged that I would come to him and together we would call the Rav. I arrived at my parents' house tired from the journey, yet I couldn't hold back from telling about the experiences I went through. Finally, as an aside, I started telling the miracle stories I heard about the Rav. While I was speaking, my father, who feared for my future, said to me: 'This is a strange Rabbi, many libels, stay away. I decree upon you, you are not approaching this Rabbi. Now you delete the phone number of the one who wanted to introduce you to him.' I said to myself, 'Probably another delusional Rabbi.' I deleted it, not knowing what I lost.
In the middle of the winter, I was in a period of *mochin d'katnut* (constricted consciousness), and suddenly two Breslovers knock on my door, Nachman Nissim and another one whose name I don't remember. My eyes lit up, because I want to do *Hisbodedus*, I want to get close to Hashem Yitbarach, and nothing is working. I ask what they want, and they answer that they came to grant me the merit of a standing order (donation) to Shuvu Banim. 'Hopa,' I say to myself, 'crazy people are probably sitting in my living room.' I tell them enthusiastically about Rabbi Shimshon whom I saw in Uman, and one of them tells me that he is the one who brought him back in *teshuvah*. 'I was completely secular when Rabbi Shimshon met me in the street and sat with me all night, establishing facts on the ground.' And then he dropped the bomb—'Do you know? Rabbi Shimshon is a student of Rabbi Berland shlit"a.' I went into shock and tried to digest the meaning of the words. Finally, I said to myself that I don't believe my parents on this subject, nor anyone else. I know that I saw a man praying like I have never seen in my life, and if he is a student of Rabbi Berland, no one will confuse me. I signed a standing order for them, and in fact, the moment I started giving money to the Tzaddik, I became bound to him. The Tzaddik starts working with me.
At that time, I used to go to the Breslov Chassidic *shul* in Mea Shearim, and join a van that drives from there at 2:00 AM to the field. For several nights I walked around and searched the mailboxes for Rabbi Shimshon's name. My wife didn't understand what was happening with me; I would go out to the window at home and ask Hashem to grant me the merit to find him. On the holiday of Shavuot, after my soul yearned to arrive in Uman again, I traveled to the holy grave. I merited holy work near Rebbe Nachman and I also merited to meet him. I felt like I was going to faint. I didn't dare speak a word to Rabbi Shimshon, I just walked behind him for two hours everywhere he went. After the Ma'ariv prayer of the holiday, I saw Rabbi Shimshon again and I was sure he had nowhere to make Kiddush, which in retrospect turned out to be a mistake, as he was staying with his family in Uman. But when I offered him to come to us for Kiddush, he nullified himself to my offer and came immediately.
On the way, I couldn't hold back anymore and asked him: 'The Rav, what is the story with Rabbi Berland?' He stopped and I saw him trembling in holy dread a moment before he shouted, 'The Rav is *mesirus nefesh* (self-sacrifice), we have no comprehension of the magnitude of the Rav's greatness and holiness.' Rabbi Shimshon started speaking such awesome words about the magnitude of the holiness and greatness of the Rav shlit"a, I felt I was igniting and must see the Rav. After Kiddush I didn't see him, until the day the Rav shlit"a asked to say the entire Book of Psalms at 'Shuvu Banim'. From there I went to the 'Chut Shel Chessed' Yeshiva, and one of the Chassidim there took me to Rabbi Shimshon's house. I thought he would be surprised to see me, but as soon as he saw me he said, 'You see, whoever wants to, finds in the end.' He strengthened me greatly to come to the gatherings held at *Chatzos* (midnight) for the Rav shlit"a, and in many matters of serving Hashem.
I only had an emergency passport which I took out last year and which expired exactly on Rosh Hashanah. I tried to get a new passport, but I didn't succeed. I asked Rabbi Shimshon what to do, and he advised me to do six hours of *Hisbodedus* at the Kotel (Western Wall). I did so, and finished with the Shacharit prayer at the 'Atika' [synagogue], where I burst into tears. I said to Hashem: 'Where do You want me to be on Rosh Hashanah, in Shaarei Chesed?!' Afterwards, I went to Rabbi Shimshon and when he saw me he said, 'Well done,' as if he knew I had prayed. 'Have a good trip, we'll see you in Uman,' he added. A week before Rosh Hashanah I still hadn't managed to get a passport, but I cast my burden upon Hashem and bought four tickets for a thousand dollars each, for my father, my two brothers, and myself. On the way to the airport, I said a few Tikkun HaKlalis for the Rav's success, and entered Ben Gurion Airport with trust. The guy asks me: 'Brother, what am I going to do with this passport?' 'Manage with it, that's what there is,' I answer him. 'I cannot under any circumstances let you pass,' he goes to ask his supervisor and returns saying to me, 'Enter.' I continue to check-in and pass as well, continue to passport control and there too they don't notice. I board the plane with an expired passport.
Ukraine, passport control, and I fall upon the most senior and tough officer. He shoots a quick glance at the passport: 'This is no good!' he states. 'It's excellent,' I answer. All the guys around me say, 'Looks like you're going to do Rosh Hashanah in the airport,' because we arrived on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. But, my friend intervenes and says, 'Look, it has two days validity and he is returning tomorrow.' The officer stamped it.
I merited Rosh Hashanah by Rebbe Nachman, but on the return, they don't let me leave. Everyone passed and I remained in Ukraine, without a dollar, without clothes, and without a phone. The officer tears my ticket in front of my eyes and tells me 'Mister, go.' Vans of those returning from Uman start arriving and I, with no choice, start begging for money (*schnor*). Miraculously, I had four instant noodle soups with me with which I survived the following days, and also the phone number of a well-known *askan* (activist). I called him and he gave me the address of the synagogue in Kiev. I was sure there were people there who would receive me; in retrospect, it turned out the place was locked, dark, and empty. After a tense time, someone opened a window for me which I climbed into with my remaining strength. I was exhausted, after several days without sleep, until I vomited there. The next day, on the Fast of Gedaliah, I went to the French consulate. After an exhausting day of arrangements, I returned to the synagogue without food, without clothes, and without a shower. With no choice, I took a room in a hotel, but although they gave me a significant discount, I still didn't have money to pay. Thursday arrived and they tell me there is still no approval from the Israeli consulate.
The situation is difficult; even a call from the head of the Association of All Jewish Communities in France to the Consul did not advance the matter. Because to issue a permanent passport and receive it in Kiev takes a month and a half. My spirit fell, so I called Rabbi Shimshon and told him about the decree. 'What are you talking about, it's all gifts from Hashem, say three or four Tikkun HaKlalis for the Rav and you will see miracles,' he answered.
I say four Tikkunim for the merit of Rabbi Eliezer ben Etya and go down to drink coffee in the lobby. Suddenly, my mobile rings. A woman I don't know turns to me and tells me that maybe she can help. 'Great people have tried,' I answered her, half despairing. The woman calls me back after an hour and says, 'At three o'clock exactly be at the consulate, your passport is ready.' I bought a ticket for Sunday and returned to Israel.
On Sukkot, I went on Rabbi Shimshon's advice to the *Yahrtzeit* of Rebbe Nachman at Shuvu Banim. It was hard for me, yet I stayed until morning. Afterwards, at the *Hakafot Shniyot*, I received a yearning to buy the *Hakafah* (circuit) of Isaac our Patriarch, but I hesitated, so I asked the Rav in my heart. At that moment someone comes out of the circle, looks at me and shouts, 'Yitzchak, Yitzchak, why aren't you buying?' It turns out he was addressing his friend who was next to me, but at that moment I didn't realize that. I bought an *Aliyah* and the bringing in of a Torah scroll, and in retrospect, it turned out that the money to the Rav shlit"a's Yeshiva acted as a *Pidyon* (redemption) and protected me from all the disputants who came against me the moment they heard I had drawn close to the Rav shlit"a.
At that time, my wife was expecting, and to our sorrow, they discovered a problem in the fetus's brain. I called Rabbi Shimshon and he told me to speak with Natan Solomon the Gabbai so he would pass a question to the Rav shlit"a. I was sure the Rav would tell me to give a *Pidyon*, but the Rav said, 'If he wants to give a Pidyon, he doesn't have to.' I entered a war with the Evil Inclination until finally I threw away my intellect and gave a respectable sum for a Pidyon. The next day my wife calls me and informs me of good news regarding the fetus. Mazel Tov to the Richard family on the birth of their firstborn son.
(It is in the power of every person to know the Tzaddik through his followers (Job 37). For the Tzaddik himself is impossible to comprehend, for there is no grasp of him, because he is above one's intellect. Only through his people who are close to him can one understand the greatness of the Tzaddik. For by seeing his people, who are men of action, God-fearing and whole, and in whom one has a grasp and comprehension—because the world is not yet so far from them as from the Tzaddik himself—therefore, whoever wants the truth can know the greatness of the Tzaddik through his people. And this is like the parable of the seal, where the writing engraved upon it cannot be read because the letters are reversed. Only by striking and pressing the seal onto wax can one see the letters and the images engraved on the seal and understand the writing of the seal, etc. — Likutey Moharan 140)
(Conflict raises and lifts a person, for "Man is a tree of the field" (Deuteronomy 20). And behold, a tree lying on the ground cannot lift itself unless rushing water comes upon it; then the water lifts and carries the tree. And conflict is called water, as it is written (Psalms 88): "They surrounded me like water all day, they encircled me together." — Likutey Moharan 114)
Pearls from The Rav shlit"a on the Megillah
The *Chiddushei HaRim* explains the Gemara in Megillah which says perhaps the walled cities should not celebrate Purim at all. Why? If a person lives within a wall, is he not a Jew?! asks the Gemara. Rather, those who lived in the walled cities wanted to die for *Kiddush Hashem* (Sanctification of God's Name). "Walled" (*Mukafim*) implies mercy; these were the large cities where there was Torah. In the open towns (*Prazim*) were the simple people (*Am HaAretz*) who wanted to be saved. But in the large walled cities sat Torah scholars who waited to die [for Kiddush Hashem]. Suddenly, some guys came and started killing the Amalekites; they disrupted their entire plan. They [the Torah scholars] didn't know if it was Hashem's will to fight the Amalekites at all—perhaps Hashem's will is that we die for Kiddush Hashem? If a person dies for Kiddush Hashem, in one second he achieves a rectification (*tikkun*) of 100 years. Therefore, the Tzaddikim waited to be killed. In the end, some "Shababniks" (street youths) came with bows and arrows and killed all the Amalekites. Who said that was Hashem's will at all? Therefore, they had to wait until it was revealed through *Ruach HaKodesh* (Divine Spirit), and the Tzaddikim understood that indeed it was Hashem's will that they remain alive, and that is the Kiddush Hashem. There is a Kiddush Hashem where a person remains alive, and there is a Kiddush Hashem where a person goes to be killed—that is also Kiddush Hashem.
Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her returnees with righteousness (Tzedakah)
In newsletter No. 44, we mentioned the harsh words of The Rav shlit"a regarding the difficult situation in which we find ourselves. "We are in a new Intifada, a terrible Intifada that is spreading over the entire globe; it is impossible to stop it... This Intifada is with the encouragement of the entire world. The whole world applauds every Jew who is murdered and killed. The whole world spurs this Intifada on. All the countries regret that Hitler did not finish the job; everyone curses Hitler asking why he didn't finish the job. They now rely on the Ishmaelites, 'And Esau went and took Machalat the daughter of Ishmael.'"
At that time, The Rav shlit"a wrote a letter in which he noted that the way to stop the current Intifada is through the verse "Everyone written for life (*Lachaim*) in Jerusalem"—to give life to the residents of Jerusalem and the Land by donating the numerical value of "Lachaim" (Life/To Life), 98 NIS, and to pray for all the inhabitants of the Land of Israel and specifically for those dwelling in Jerusalem that no evil shall befall them, etc. Although the response to the Rav's call was great, nevertheless, in view of the terrible decrees befalling us morning after morning, which to our sorrow are only increasing, we have come to remind of The Rav shlit"a's words and strengthen their validity: "After the terrible murders with the assistance and encouragement of the European Union, which have been from the first day of Sukkot until now and do not cease for a second, and Jewish blood is spilled like water to the joy of all the nations of the world without exception, for death has come up into our windows, and spreads throughout the world to stab every Jew wherever he is a Jew, and all the nations of the world have risen against us with one voice so that the name of Israel shall be remembered no more... Every single minute we hear and read about new victims, and no one opens their mouth or chirps. On the contrary, everyone blames the Nation of Israel and says they are worse than the Nazis, and the primary mission of all the nations of the world is to exterminate the seed of Israel from the face of the earth. And no Jew today is safe with his life, not in the Land of Israel, and not in any other land. Therefore, we have decided unanimously that every single Jew in every single place must donate 98 Shekels corresponding to the verse 'Everyone written for life (*Lachaim*) in Jerusalem'".
The Rav's words are strong and clear, but after The Rav shlit"a saw that the strength of the judgments is only growing, he continued and said that whoever gives 98 NIS every month for a *Pidyon*, in this merit, he and his entire family will be saved. The Rav's language: "As long as the Intifada continues, everyone must give. Every Jew anywhere in the world, and even Gentiles, must give 98 Shekels, which is 26 Dollars or 25 Euros every month as long as this continues. Everywhere in the world there are terror attacks; whoever wants to be saved from the new Intifada which now includes the entire globe - must give. Whoever gives the Pidyon will be saved from every terror attack and from every obstacle, from every sin and from every iniquity. And transfer everything to Shuvu Banim International", thus far the language of the Rav. This can be heard on the donation hotline.
The donation can be paid by credit card
Between the hours of 10:00-18:00 at Tel: 058-410-9337
And between the hours of 16:00-22:00 at 052-677-5148
Or pay via the website shuvubanimint.com by clicking the "Donations" button
Likewise, one can deposit at the bank:
For: Shuvu Banim International Association (Registered Amuta) 580608610
Bank: Discount Branch 067
Account Number: 81373
Or send a check to:
Shuvu Banim International | P.O. Box 57078 Jerusalem 915700
.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Receive Torah articles and inspiration directly in your inbox