As the stories of carnage and horror unfolded in Israel, many gabbaim of shuls began wondering if it was appropriate to be mekayeim the minhag of holding a Chassan Bereishis kiddush in shul.

The shaila was sent to HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein, who responded that the minhag can be fulfilled and a kiddush be held on the condition that the congregation recite several pirkei Tehillim before and afterward for the refuah of the wounded and for a yeshuah for the captives and for all of Am Yisrael.

HaRav Zilberstein said that “it’s common that food and drink at a kiddush can sometimes lead to leitzanus and kalus rosh- and this is something that is completely not appropriate for these days. Therefore, the essence of the simcha of completing the Torah and beginning Sefer Bereishis can be fulfilled but through the recitation of Tehillim beforehand and afterward, the kiddush will have a serious tone, and the zechus of the Torah Hakedosha and the simcha in its completion and beginning will protect Am Yisrael.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)