Prayers of the Holy Day with the Participation of Morinu HaRav (our teacher the Rabbi) shlit"a (may he live long and good days) ○ Thousands of People in the Beis Medrash (study hall) in the Shadow of Holiness ○ The Appearance of the Kohen (Priest)

This year, 5786, we were once again privileged to have the Kibbutz (holy gathering) on the holiest day of the year. In previous years, the area of the 'Toldos Avraham Yitzchak' Chassidus sukkah was rented, which over the years had become the temporary structure for that Chassidus due to renovations in their Beis Medrash (study hall). This past year, that Chassidus returned to their permanent Beis Medrash, and consequently, the aforementioned area was dismantled and returned to its original state as a parking lot. As a result, the dedicated activists worked tirelessly to find a suitable location that could contain the vast public arriving from all over the country and the world to entreat the King's presence on this pure day. By Heavenly mercy, just on the eve of the Holy Day, a location was allocated by the municipality at the corner of HaNevi'im (Prophets) Street and Damascus Gate. There, the prayers were planned to take place in a giant tent erected quickly, with money poured out like water to ensure the holy Kibbutz on Yom Kippur proceeded as scheduled with the participation of Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a. However, "many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Hashem shall stand." Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a did not feel well in his legs and had to go to the Beis Refuah (hospital) on the eve of the Holy Day. After the doctors diagnosed his condition, they warned that the Rav shlit"a must not stand on his ailing legs for even a brief moment. Additionally, they instructed him that he was forbidden to fast. The Rav shlit"a, who practices mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for even the slightest detail of a mitzvah (commandment) as for the weightiest, felt that there was no reality in which he would not stand during the prayers, especially during the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe). He paid no heed to the doctors' recommendations and informed his attendants that the prayers would proceed as scheduled, and of course, with a fast, without any doubt at all. However, to minimize G-d forbid the risk of worsening the condition of his leg, it was decided that despite the massive investment in the tent, the Rav shlit"a would remain on the balcony of his home, allowing him to come out for the prayers according to his strength on the fast day of Kippur. With Siyata D'Shmaya (Heavenly assistance), despite all the obstacles, we merited full prayers this Yom Kippur, in most of which Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a participated with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice), standing on his ailing legs while fasting, despite his advanced age and medical condition. Indeed, the awesome awe and the most sublime feelings of holiness cannot be put into ink and paper. Yet, we will attempt a little to tell "so that your generations may know" about Yom Kippur 5786 in the holy presence of the High Priest among his brothers—none other than the Tzaddik who sweetens and atones through his prayers for all of Israel in general and his close followers in particular, like the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in the Holy of Holies!

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"And all the congregation of Israel shall be forgiven"

At the final moments of twilight at the onset of the Holy Day, when thousands of people were already crowding the entire prayer hall plaza, and due to the density, it was almost impossible to move even a tefach (handbreadth), Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a entered the balcony of his home. His appearance caused every mortal to catch their breath. The white kittel (shroud-like garment) and the pure white kippah (skullcap), with the head of the Jewish people adorned in a new tallis (prayer shawl), and his holy face shining with a flame of holy fire, raising the banner of awe of the Exalted. Immediately upon the Rav shlit"a's entry at 6:30 PM, the Chazzan (cantor), the venerable Chassid Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Richter shlit"a, stood at the prayer podium near the holy place. A sense of awe and fear of G-d passed through the entire public in these sublime moments. 'Kol Nidrei v'Esarei...' From the heights of the balcony on the fourth floor, the Chazzanim (cantors) were required this year to have special mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) to make the voice of prayer heard down to the plaza filled with thousands below. At the conclusion of 'Kol Nidrei,' Morinu HaRav signaled the Chazzan to begin the Ma'ariv (evening) prayer of the night of the Holy Day. The Rav shlit"a continued with movements of a burning flame throughout the entire prayer. After the conclusion of the Selichos (penitential prayers) of the Ma'ariv prayer on the holy night, Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Richter continued with his loud voice the entire 'Shir HaYichud' (Song of Unity) for all days of the week, which is customarily recited on the night of Yom Kippur after Ma'ariv. Ma'ariv ended only at 9:30 PM after three hours of prayer on the night of the Holy Day with awakening and spiritual elevation. Before entering his room, the Rav shlit"a announced that Tehillim (Psalms) should be recited, and whoever fears they might fall asleep during the prayer tomorrow should go to sleep, and the Shacharis (morning) prayer would begin at 4:30 AM. It can be noted parenthetically that this prayer hour on Yom Kippur is extremely rare. The reason for the early prayer hour was because the rising sun beats down on the prayer plaza as early as the early afternoon hours, and therefore, so that they could reach the break before the sun would beat down on the heads of the entire vast public praying in the plaza.

"The Essence of the Day"

By the grace of Hashem Yisbarach (the Blessed Hashem) with us, who in His great mercy and kindness has magnified us, we merited that on the morning of Yom Kippur as well, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a came out to participate in the prayers of the Holy Day. At 4:30 AM, Shacharis began. Until 'HaMelech' (The King), the Shacharis prayer of Yom Kippur resembled the Shacharis of the Holy Shabbos with melodies, vitality, and awakening—rejoicing with trembling. A special length was noted in the melodies of 'Hareinu Hashem Chasdecha' for about seven minutes, and in the melody of 'HaNechemadim MiZahav,' he extended for about five minutes. At 6:17 AM, they reached 'HaMelech.' Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a signaled with his holy hand to the Chazzan, his grandson and attendant, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Dov Zucker shlit"a, to approach the podium. Rabbi Dov Zucker, with his pleasant voice, being expert and accustomed to the prayer versions, with a heart-stirring voice, approached with the roar of 'HaMelech,' and all the thousands together with Morinu HaRav clapped their hands. Whose heart would not tremble...! It can be noted as a great wonder that although they did not pray in the Beis Medrash but on the balcony, Hashem Yisbarach gave the Chazzanim a wondrous power in their throats so that their voices were heard well from afar, and even in the nearby streets, their stirring voices could be heard. The awakening in the sublime feeling continued throughout the Shacharis prayer in the Breslov nusach (prayer version), which is imbued with the outpouring of the soul of the great and giant members of our community throughout the generations—a version soaked in longing and tears over generations. Throughout the entire Chazzan's repetition, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a looked into the Machzor (holiday prayer book) at all times and followed the prayer with great awakening. It should be noted that despite his great weakness, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a participated in the recitation of the Piyutim (liturgical poems) and the order of the prayer. Shacharis lasted nearly five hours. Afterward, the Torah reading with the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy during the opening of the Ark; here too, the attendant Rabbi Dov Zucker served as the Baal Koreh (Torah reader). Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a was honored with the fourth Aliyah (call to the Torah). Before the Haftarah (prophetic reading), the Rav shlit"a entered his home to perform a Bris (circumcision) for the grandson of Rabbi Nachman Dan Shapira, one of our community members. After the Bris, the Rav shlit"a—who, as mentioned, had stood for nearly five hours on his ailing legs while fasting, and if that were not enough, the sun was already high in the heavens sending its scorching rays to the balcony—despite all the efforts in his weakened state, the Rav shlit"a sent word that they should begin Musaf (additional prayer) without him. After a few minutes, the Gabbai (attendant) Rabbi Yosef Assouline came out and announced 'Yizkor' (memorial prayer); the public understood that the Rav shlit"a had instructed to start without him.

"Hearts Poured Out Before You Like Water"

It is impossible to describe the intensity and the immense excitement as we prepared with fear and trembling for the Musaf prayers with the Seder HaAvodah (Order of the Temple Service). Rabbi Dov Zucker approached the podium, and with his voice clear as purifying water, he arranged his prayer like the order of the Kohen (Priest) in the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple) on the Holy Day, as he recited the prayer 'Hineni He'Ani MiMa'as' (Behold, I am impoverished in deeds) with immense awakening that influenced the holy congregation. The mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) of the entire public should be noted, as the sun was already high and scorching, yet they continued to pray with d'veikus (attachment to G-d) and awakening, as if the heat itself served to ignite the holy service with a flame of fire. After eight hours of continuous prayer, at 12:30 PM, the Musaf prayer concluded. After Musaf, it was announced that there would be a break until 4:00 PM.

"And in the Merit of the Simple One, May He Bring Our Judgment to Light Today"

There is no doubt that on the evening of the Holy Day, when the body no longer belongs to the reality of the world, no eye remains dry in the sublime outpouring of the soul. Oy Tate (Father)... 'And for all of them, G-d of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, atone for us...'. At 4:00 PM, the Chazzan, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Yosef Schorr shlit"a, approached for the Mincha (afternoon) prayer. The Baal Koreh (Torah reader) for the Torah reading was the venerable Chassid Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Richter shlit"a, whose loud voice was heard well from afar even at the twilight of the Holy Day. Afterward, they continued to the Mincha prayer, where despite the time pressing toward the end of the day, they did not omit any Piyut (liturgical poem) or Selichah (penitential prayer). Ah... whose heart would not tremble at the cry of 'Chatanu Tzureinu, Selach Lanu Yotzreinu' (We have sinned, our Rock; forgive us, our Creator)!!!

"Open the Gates of Heaven and Open Your Good Storehouse for Us"

The peak moments of Yom Kippur were during the supplication 'Open a gate for us at the time of the closing of the gate.' The Ne'ilah (closing) prayer, in which all the good storehouses are poured out, when all of the people of Israel are sealed for a good life and peace, at the time of the sealing of the judgment, and when the High Priest who is hidden in the Holy of Holies prays for the entire congregation of Israel in these sublime moments. It is impossible not to shed tears like water, to plead and request to merit 'And seal for a good life all the children of Your covenant!' At 5:20 PM, following a tradition of many years, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Yitzchak Halperin shlit"a, Rosh Mesivta (dean) in Yeshivat 'Chochma V'Da'as,' approached the podium. He possesses a voice that vibrates and awakens the yearning of every heart, especially in these sublime moments. Before the Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer) of Ne'ilah, excitement passed through the public as, with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) beyond all imagination and like a living miracle, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a entered. Despite the fast, despite his medical condition, he seals at these holy moments all those present for a good, long life and peace. At 5:30 PM, they began the Shemoneh Esrei of Ne'ilah. During the Chazzan's repetition, the awakening increased, especially during the Selichos and the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: 'E-l Rachum V'Chanun Erech Apayim V'Rav Chesed V'Emes...' thirteen times. The intensity and the sublime feeling at these moments cannot be described, as they plead, 'And You desire the repentance of the wicked and do not wish for their death.' Whose heart would not tremble, whose eye would not tear, at the hour when their verdict is being sealed. A moment before the closing of the gates and the final Shofar (ram's horn) blast, during the recitation of 'Avinu Malkeinu...' (Our Father, our King), as every year, the Rav shlit"a began to sing 'Avinu Malkeinu, Chaneinu Va'aneinu Ki Ein Banu Ma'asim...' (Our Father, our King, be gracious to us and answer us, for we have no deeds). Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a extended this again and again with the entire massive public, everyone roaring: Oy Tate (Father)! Even though 'we have no deeds,' 'act with us in charity and kindness and save us!' Give us a good year, decree good decrees upon us, and hasten the Geulah (Redemption) and salvation for the people of Your flock who await Your salvation! From the waves of bleeding pain, they cry out with all their hearts: Please! Redeem us with mercy!!!.

After long minutes of elevation that cannot be described in words at all, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a signaled with his holy hand, and the Chazzan Rabbi Yitzchak Halperin shlit"a, with all the yearning of his heart, roared the acceptance of the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven with flowing tears: 'Shema Yisrael...!' 'Hashem Hu HaElokim!' 'Hashem Melech, Hashem Malach, Hashem Yimloch L'olam Va'ed!' And of course, like a flock with their shepherd at their head, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a, they roared with all their soul and might the verses of accepting the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven—a roar that was heard clearly even in the distant streets. After the Kaddish and the Shofar blast by the venerable Chassid Rabbi Yosef Schorr shlit"a, the joy of 'for G-d has already accepted your deeds' broke out. The conclusion of the Kaddish 'Tiskabel' was accompanied by singing from true joy, holy joy—a joy that surely, in the merit of the faithful shepherd, we merited to be sealed for a good and sweet year!

"Upon His Departure from the Sanctuary"

With the conclusion of the Kaddish, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a began reciting 'V'Hu Rachum' in the Ma'ariv prayer of the conclusion of the Holy Day with joy and vitality. The Rav approached as the Shliach Tzibbur (prayer leader) with all the prayer melodies in the usual version. The Ma'ariv prayer lasted over twenty minutes, after which Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a performed Havdalah (separation ceremony) over the cup along with the Havdalah candle.

They Shall Go from Strength to Strength

Immediately at the conclusion of Havdalah, while the entire large public had not yet broken the fast, out of holiness and elevation, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a began 'Kiddush Levana' (Sanctification of the Moon) as is the Jewish custom, 'they shall go from strength to strength,' to snatch mitzvos (commandments) while everyone is still clean from sins and pure, like the scarlet thread that turns white. It can be said that this was a longer-than-usual 'Kiddush Levana,' despite the end of the fast having passed even according to the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam. The Rav shlit"a continued to sing the melodies of Kiddush Levana with special length and vitality. After half an hour of 'Kiddush Levana.' The Rav gave a ten-minute lesson. During this, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a stirred the public, saying that this is the time to seize these holy moments and begin to study, specifically now as 'Bein HaZmanim' (intersession) arrives. Instead of pouncing on food at the conclusion of the fast, one should pounce on the Gemara (Talmud) at least until Chatzos (midnight). It was special that the Rav shlit"a told one of his great-grandsons standing beside him to study eight hours of Gemara every day, and then he 'permits' him to play with whatever he wants, with the Rav shlit"a immediately adding that one who studies eight hours of Gemara feels such pleasure that he wants nothing from this world at all! During the lesson, the Rav revealed a glimpse of his mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) to fast on the Holy Day. The doctor had warned him on the eve of Yom Kippur that he must drink; the doctor even told him that if the Rav shlit"a would eat as required by his medical condition, he (the doctor) pledged to the Rav shlit"a to fast the entire fast himself. The Rav shlit"a remarked with a smile that he 'did not withstand the temptation to fast...' and brought the teaching from Rabbeinu (Rebbe Nachman) who said that one should snatch fasts like 'lekach' (honey cake). At 7:50 PM, Morinu HaRav (The Rav) shlit"a concluded the Holy Day with Kaddish after more than twenty-six hours of fasting in prayers and supplications, which surely brought about a good year through the sealing of the Tzaddik for all the thousands who came to participate in the holy Kibbutz on the Holy Day in the shadow of the holy Rav.

And so, how magnificent was the appearance of the High Priest as he departed from the Sanctuary! Happy is the people for whom this is so; happy is the people whose Hashem is their G-d!!!