A throng of local rabbonim and activists accompanied HaRav Chaim Kanievsky shlita when he paid a visit to the site of the kosher power plant to be built outside of the city. During the gathering HaRav Kanievsky blessed those involved in the task, adding, “May the Council Head have the merit to quickly complete the construction of the power plant for [the production of] electricity without any concerns of chilul Shabbos.” The initiative is being carried out with the encouragement and guidance of gedolei Yisroel and led by Maran HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv shlita.

Before the gathering, Council Head Rabbi Yaakov Guterman paid a visit to HaRav Kanievsky’s home to notify him that construction permits have been issued and he proceeded to sign them in HaRav Kanievsky’s presence. He then invited HaRav Kanievsky to come to the site to mark the next phase of the project. HaRav Kanievsky accepted the invitation, traveling to the site for the second time in six months. This time he arrived after attending a bris in the city.

The gathering at the construction site was attended by roshei yeshivos, rabbonim, heads of local institutions and numerous residents. The dais was graced by HaRav Meir Kessler, the rov of Modi’in Illit; HaRav Yisroel Zicherman, the rov of Achuzat Brachfeld; HaRav Shevach Rosenblatt, the rov of Kehillas Chanichei Hayeshivos Siach Yitzchok; HaRav Yitzchok Luxenberg, the rov of Neot Simcha-Nof Illit; Council Head Rabbi Yaakov Guterman and project manager R’ Aryeh Amar.

A siyum for Seder Moed was held by HaRav Avrohom Amar, a prominent avreich at Yeshivas Kiryas Melech in Bnei Brak. Following the siyum and divrei Torah by HaRav Kanievsky, he toasted “lechayim” to bless all those involved in the task, adding a blessing that the Council Head and the project manager have the merit to quickly finish building the power plant in order to add more kovod Shabbos for all city residents.

HaRav Eliashiv recently wrote a special letter to encourage the Council Head. The letter read, “It’s a great mitzvah to support the activists who undertook this important matter of strengthening Shabbos observance by supplying the city of Modi’in Illit with electricity produced on Shabbos without the Shabbos desecration involved in this, and it also sanctifies the Name of Heaven. It’s well known how upset Maran the Chazon Ish ztvk”l was over this matter and how he avoided using electricity generated on Shabbos through chilul Shabbos kodesh. It’s a great mitzvah and kovod Shabbos kodesh for homes and botei knesses and even the streets to be lit by kosher electricity on Shabbos. All those who help and assist will be blessed with the blessing of Shabbos, which is the source of blessing. As stated in the Talmud Yerushalmi, Maseches Brochos, 2:7, `Bircas Hashem hi taashir,’ and that refers to Shabbos. And in the merit of that tzaddik watch over all of those who help and assist with this matter, that they be blessed with all of the blessings stated in the Torah.”

Maran’s letter was also signed by HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, HaRav Nissim Karelitz, HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and HaRav Shmuel Auerbach shlita.

Despite numerous obstacles the Council Head succeeded in obtaining the building permits thanks to concerted efforts by R’ Amar.

(A. Cohen for Dei’ah veDibur)