[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

There can be no doubt that the word of Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita was heard by all, as the atzeres in Yerushalayim promises to be the largest gathering in the history of the State of Israel.

The atzeres has united Ashkenazim and Sephardim, Chassidish and Litvish and many other camps, including non-religious and a respectable number of dati leumi. That latter remains divided, and while some rabbonim will be in attendance, others decree the event, labeling it a “Chilul Hashem”, and yet others feel that while the new draft law is not appropriate, they cannot cry out against serving in the IDF, which they view a mitzvah. Also included in the atzeres will be Chabad, with yeshivos instructing talmidim to attend. Perhaps the most surprising for some is the participation of the Eida Chareidis, which as a rule does not attend events hosted by Agudas Yisrael. While there are pashkavilim in Meah Shearim decrying participation, official Eida sources report those do not represent the policy of the rabbonim, merely the work of a few individuals.

The achdus and sheer numbers of people heading to the atzeres tefillas from around the country has the religious community focused on the event. It is a true Oleh L’Regel as Egged buses nationwide are heading in the direction of the capital, bringing Jews who simply wish to recite Tehillim and be mispallel in a forum that is expected to exceed 600,000.

HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Zilberstein Shlita has ruled one may recite the bracha one recites upon seeing ‘shishim ribo’ of Am Yisrael.

The children are arriving too, in line with the instructions of Rav Shteinman, who stated children over 9 may participate. The photos show children from Sephardi yeshivos carrying flags “I want to grow up and be a Torah giant like R’ Ovadia too”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Chadashot 24)