Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita told Rabbonim of cties and heads of kehillos in the Old Beit Knesset in France, a shul dedicated some 150 years ago by Napoleon III; “Erev Rosh Hashanah is a time for achdus, achdus in Eretz Yisrael between citizens and public leaders and achdus between Jews around the world as this is the secret to victory of the Jewish People”.

The rav left for Europe at the beginning of the week for a 24-hour visit to France, to take part in an atzeres hisorarus and a central slichos ahead of Rosh Hashanah, which was attended by thousands of city residents.

The rav also took place in a central memorial service for the late Chief Rabbi, HaGaon Rav Yosef Chaim Sitruk ZT”L. Rav Yosef also visited a talmid torah, yeshivos and kollels in the city, and participated in the dedication of a new mikve, beis medrash and kindergartens in the city of Lyon.

The rav ended his visit with his appearance at the special kenos in Lyon, in the Ancient Shul along with rabbonim and other community leaders in the city, with the event beginning with the rav fielding questions pertaining to events in Israel following Knesset elections.

Rav Yosef explained, “In Israel, we are in a post-election period, and election campaign that contained a considerable measure of hate against Yiddishkeit and lomdei torah. B’chasdei Hashem, the religious parties became stronger, and now, it is erev Rosh Hashanah, and Rosh Hashanah is a time for achdus. Achdus in Eretz Yisrael between citizens and public leaders and between Jews of the world; as this is the secret to the success of the Jewish People as we are in the Ancient Beit Knesset today, which was dedicated 150 years ago, and in another 100 years, the voice of Torah and Tefilla will still be audible here”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)