Prayers of the Holy Day with the Participation of the Rav shlit"a ○ Thousands of People in the Beis Medrash (study hall) in the Shadow of Holiness ○ The Appearance of the Kohen (Priest)

This year, 5785, we were once again privileged to have the gathering for the holiest day of the year thanks to the blessed efforts of 'Ichud Chassidei Breslov Shuvu Banim.' For the fifth consecutive year, they rented the Sukkah of the 'Toldos Avraham Yitzchak' Chassidus, which over the years has become the temporary structure for that Chassidus due to renovations being conducted in their own Beis Medrash (study hall). Following events from previous years, where a significant portion of the public did not get to see the Rav shlit"a during the prayers due to the multitude of those longing to draw close to holiness, the activists of 'The Ichud' set up a massive stage this year for the Rav shlit"a and the Chazzanim (cantors). Standing over three and a half meters high, it ensured that even those outside the tent at a distance of a hundred meters could see the Rav shlit"a. With the help of Heaven, we were privileged this Yom Kippur to have long prayers; it can be said quite literally that the prayers took place continuously from Shacharis (morning prayer) until Havdalah (ceremony marking the end of the holy day), with only brief breaks. While we cannot fully capture the awesome awe and the most sublime feelings of holiness in ink and on paper, we will attempt to recount a little 'so that your generations may know' about Yom Kippur 5785 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 High Priest in the Holy of Holies!

***

"And it shall be forgiven for the entire congregation of Israel"

A few minutes before the start of the holy day, the Rav shlit"a arrived at the Beis Medrash on Salant Street. The portion of the public waiting for him greeted him with the singing of 'Or Zarua' (Light is sown for the righteous). One of the Chassidim even merited to exchange a Tallis (prayer shawl) with him before he entered his room. When he entered the inner sanctum, as is his holy custom, he utilized the time to study Torah until the time for 'Kol Nidrei.' Meanwhile, the prayer hall began to fill with thousands upon thousands of our followers from all over the country and the world. Over three thousand seats were quickly filled by those who had the foresight to purchase a place in advance according to the Rav's shlit"a instruction. But of course, this small amount does not satisfy the 'holy lions'—his flock who desire to pray with him on the holiest and most awesome day of the year. Hundreds of young married men and students filled the aisles to capacity, and even beyond the gates of the Beis Medrash, everything was packed to the limit. At 6:30 PM, the Chazzan, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Richter shlit"a, approached the prayer stand. Exactly three minutes later, the Rav shlit"a ascended the stage, his appearance causing every mortal to catch their breath. The white Kittel (shroud-like garment) and the pure white yarmulke, with the head of the Jewish people adorned in a new Tallis, and his holy face shining with a flame of holy fire, raising the banner of 'awe of the Exalted.' Immediately upon his entry, the Rav shlit"a stood facing the holy congregation alongside the Chazzan, who began in his loud and pleasant voice, 'By the authority of the Heavenly Court and by the authority of this congregation...', the Kol Nidrei prayer. The venerable Chassid Rabbi Meir Malka shlit"a, one of the senior students, was honored with holding a Sefer Torah (Torah scroll) alongside the Rav shlit"a, who covered his face—radiating with the light of purity—with his Tallis throughout the entire Kol Nidrei. A sense of awe and the fear of God passed through the entire congregation during these sublime moments. Immediately at the conclusion of 'Kol Nidrei,' the Rav shlit"a began 'Mizmor L'David Havu L'Hashem Bnei Elim...' and simultaneously started the shortened Kabbalas Shabbos (welcoming the Sabbath). However, as is well known, there is no such thing as 'short' with the Rav shlit"a, and Kabbalas Shabbos from beginning to end lasted a full hour, with the Rav shlit"a singing 'Lecha Dodi' for most of that time. Here came one of the peak moments that will be remembered from the Yom Kippur 5785 gathering: the Rav shlit"a lowered his Tallis from his holy face, and facing the thousands, as if he had received renewed youthful strength, he began with immense enthusiasm to sing 'Lecha Dodi' with a blazing fire and rhythmic clapping. A feeling of 'rejoicing with trembling' filled the entire hall. The primary length was during the verse 'Yamin U'smol Tifrotzi' (To the right and left you shall spread out), where the Rav shlit"a signaled with his holy movements again and over again to the massive crowd to jump and clap. Ah, there is no way to describe the great power, for one who did not witness this majestic scene will not be able to understand it. At the end of Kabbalas Shabbos, the Rav signaled the Chazzan to begin the Maariv (evening) prayer of the night of the holy day. The Rav remained with his holy face toward the congregation, continuing with movements of blazing fire throughout the entire prayer. Only close to the Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer) did the Rav shlit"a approach the stand. After the conclusion of the Selichos (penitential prayers) of the Maariv prayer on the holy night, he proceeded to complete 'Shir HaKavod' (Song of Glory) for all the days of the week, as is customary to say on the night of Yom Kippur after Maariv. The Maariv prayer ended only at 10:38 PM, after four hours and five minutes of prayer on the night of the holy day with great awakening and spiritual elevation. The Rav shlit"a went out during the night to an apartment across the street at 11 Devorah HaNavi Street, where he occupied himself with his studies throughout the entire holy night.

"The Essence of the Day"

By the grace of Hashem Yisbarach (the Blessed Hashem) with us, who in His great mercy and kindness has done great things for us, we merited that on the morning of Yom Kippur as well, the Rav shlit"a arrived to participate in the prayers of the holy day. At 6:00 AM he left his home, where he spoke briefly with our followers and mentioned the teaching of Rebbe Nachman that every fast is like 'lekach' (honey cake). He then entered his room in the Beis Medrash. After twenty-four minutes of preparation, at 6:24 AM, he ascended the stage and began the Shacharis (morning) prayer. Until 'HaMelech' (The King), the Shacharis prayer of Yom Kippur resembled the Shacharis of the Holy Shabbos in its melodies, vitality, and awakening—rejoicing with trembling. A special length was noted in the melodies of 'Hoshia Es Amecha' and 'HaNechemadim MiZahav' for five minutes. At 8:15 AM, when they reached 'HaMelech,' the Rav shlit"a signaled with his holy hand for the Chazzan, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Moshe Galinsky shlit"a, to approach the stand. Reb Moshe, with his heart-stirring voice, approached with the roar of 'HaMelech!', and all the thousands together with the Rav clapped their hands. Whose heart would not tremble...! The awakening and the sublime feeling continued throughout the Shacharis prayer in the Breslov nusach (prayer melody), which is imbued with the outpouring of the soul of the great giants of our followers throughout the generations—a melody soaked in longing and tears over the ages. Throughout the entire Chazzan's repetition, the Rav shlit"a looked into the Machzor (holiday prayer book) and followed the prayer with great awakening. It should be noted that despite his great weakness, the Rav shlit"a participated in saying the Piyutim (liturgical poems) and the order of the prayer. At the end of the prayer, the Rav shlit"a said 'L'David Hashem Ori V'Yishi' and then the congregation began to sing 'Achas Sha'alti' (One thing I asked). After a few seconds, the Rav shlit"a made a strengthening movement with his hand for the singing, and they continued to sing and play this for half an hour! 'That I may dwell in the house of Hashem all the days of my life, to behold the pleasantness of Hashem and to visit in His sanctuary...'! Shacharis ended around 11:08 AM after four hours and forty-five minutes. After Shacharis, the Rav shlit"a said there would be a break of about twenty minutes. This was indeed announced by his great-grandson and attendant, Reb Naftali Zucker. Simultaneously, the Rav shlit"a entered his room. To our regret, we did not merit that the Rav come out for the Torah reading, which, including the sale of honors, the reading, and the Haftarah (prophetic reading), lasted about an hour.

"Pour out your heart like water before You"

One cannot describe the immense power and excitement as we prepared with fear and trembling for the Musaf (additional) prayer with the Seder HaAvodah (the Temple service description). The Gabbai (synagogue manager), the venerable Chassid Rabbi Dov Zucker, approached the stand, and with his pleasant voice, as one expert and accustomed, he arranged his prayer like the order of the Kohen in the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple) on the holy day when he said the prayer 'Hineni HeAni MiMa'as' (Behold, I am impoverished in deeds) with immense awakening that influenced the holy congregation. A few seconds before the start of 'Hineni HeAni,' the Rav shlit"a appeared at 12:45 PM. The awakening reached its peak during the recitation of the 'Seder HaAvodah.' The Rav shlit"a ascended in sparks of holy fire, and with self-sacrifice, despite his advanced age and medical condition—which makes it a total miracle that he fasts at all on this holy day—he prostrated three times during the Seder HaAvodah as is customary. There are no words to describe the yearning of the heart upon seeing the Rav shlit"a kneeling and prostrating like the High Priest in his greatest hour during the holy service in the Holy of Holies. With the conclusion of the Seder HaAvodah, they began the song 'K'Ohel HaNimtach B'Darei Ma'ala' (Like a tent stretched out among the dwellers on high), and the Rav shlit"a especially lengthened the section 'Yoshev BeSeter L'Chalos Pnei Melech Mareh Kohen!' (He who sits in secret to entreat the King—the appearance of the Kohen!) for many long minutes. It is also worth noting that during the Musaf prayer, the congregation began the melodies 'V'Karev Pizureinu' and 'V'Havieinu L'Tzion Ircha,' with each melody lasting 5 minutes. The Musaf prayer ended at 3:45 PM after four hours. After Musaf, the Rav shlit"a entered his room and instructed the congregation to continue immediately with the Mincha (afternoon) prayer, saying he would come out for the Neilah (closing) prayer.

"And in the merit of the innocent one, He will 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 this world, no eye remains dry during the sublime outpouring of the soul. Oy, Tate (Father)... 'And for all of them, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement...' And the important Haftarah, the 'Haftarah of Jonah,' which is capable of bringing about many salvations and opening many gates and a good final sealing for the one who merits it. With the Torah reading and the Haftarah at 5:25 PM, the Rav shlit"a entered the Beis Medrash and sat in his place. Afterward, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Yosef Schorr shlit"a approached as Chazzan, and with his loud and soaring voice, he conducted the Mincha prayer with renewed awakening. Despite the hour pressing toward the end of the day, not a single Piyut or Selicha was omitted. 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 treasury 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 Neilah prayer, in which all the good treasures are bestowed, when all of the Jewish people are sealed for a good life and peace, the time of the final sealing of 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 entreat and request to merit 'And seal for a good life all the children of Your covenant'! At 5:10 PM, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Yitzchak Halperin shlit"a, a Rosh Mesivta (lecturer) at the 'Chachma U'Daas' Yeshiva, who possesses a voice that vibrates and awakens the yearning of every heart, approached the stand for these sublime moments. Before the Shemoneh Esrei of the Neilah prayer at 5:15 PM, the Rav shlit"a ascended the stage again, went immediately to his place, and began the Shemoneh Esrei prayer at the sealing of the holy day. During the Chazzan's repetition, the awakening grew greatly, particularly during the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: 'Hashem, Hashem, God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth...' One cannot describe the power and the sublime feeling during these moments, as they pleaded, 'And You desire the repentance of the wicked and do not wish for their death.' A moment before the closing of the gates and the final Shofar blast, during the saying of 'Avinu Malkeinu...', as in the previous year, the congregation began to sing 'Avinu Malkeinu Chaneinu V'Aneinu Ki Ein Banu Ma'asim...' (Our Father, our King, be gracious to us and answer us, for we have no deeds...). The Rav shlit"a lengthened this melody for several minutes. Afterward, 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 bitter 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, the Rav shlit"a, they roared with all their soul and might the verses of the acceptance of the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven—a roar that was heard clearly throughout the entire Meah Shearim neighborhood. After the Kaddish and the Shofar blast by the venerable Chassid Rabbi Yosef Schorr shlit"a, joy erupted because 'God has already accepted your deeds,' and the conclusion of the Kaddish 'Tiskabel' was accompanied by singing out of 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 exit from the Holy Place"

After the conclusion of the fast, the Rav shlit"a signaled the Chazzan Reb Yitzchak Halperin to continue at the stand with the Maariv prayer of the conclusion of the holy day with joy and vitality, with all the prayer melodies. The Maariv prayer lasted over twenty minutes, after which Reb Yitzchak performed Havdalah over the cup along with the Havdalah candle. Only about two hours after the start of the Neilah prayer, at 7:15 PM, the Rav shlit"a concluded with a blessing for a good year to the entire public and descended the stairs while waving his holy hand 'L'chaim.' "Indeed, how glorious was the appearance of the High Priest as he exited the Holy Place," as the thousands accompanied him with the singing of 'Ashrei HaAm SheKacha Lo, Ashrei HaAm SheHashem Elokav' (Fortunate is the people for whom this is so, fortunate is the people whose God is Hashem)!!!