Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi Attacked by Protesters in Bnei Brak

Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Feivelzon, head of the Pnei Olam Yeshiva and a prominent religious scholar, was attacked by a group of extremist protesters in Bnei Brak on Thursday evening. The incident occurred after Rabbi Feivelzon delivered a preparatory lecture for the High Holidays to hundreds of students, rabbis, and scholars at the Or HaNer Kollel. The lecture was held at the Ohel Pinchas study hall, under the auspices of Rabbi Yehoshua Eichenstein, head of the Yad Aharon Yeshiva.

As the lecture neared its conclusion, a group of demonstrators gathered outside the hall, shouting harsh slogans against Rabbi Feivelzon and disrupting the proceedings. Witnesses reported that when the rabbi exited the building, the protesters, described as being from extremist circles, initiated a violent disturbance. They allegedly attacked his escorts, threw garbage bags at his entourage, and damaged a vehicle by breaking a mirror.

During the confrontation, the protesters invoked the names of Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rabbi David Cohen, implying their support for the protest. Rabbi Feivelzon's associates vehemently denied this, calling it an improper use of the prominent rabbis' names without any basis. Security and police forces intervened to disperse the crowd and escort the rabbi to safety. Organizers stated that the extraction was difficult and could have resulted in serious injury.

The attack comes shortly after Rabbi Feivelzon completed the traditional seven-day mourning period for his daughter, who passed away suddenly. Many prominent rabbis and yeshiva heads had visited and offered condolences during this time, including Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who reportedly expressed shock at the violence and pledged support for Rabbi Feivelzon's continued religious work. Rabbi Boruch Dov Povarsky also sent a letter of comfort and encouragement, alongside numerous other leading figures in the Lithuanian Haredi community.