Leading Rabbis Lead Services as High Holidays Approach

As the High Holidays draw near, prominent rabbis and community leaders are engaging in spiritual observances and public appearances. Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, met with seventh and eighth graders from the 'Yesodei HaTorah' Talmud Torah in Ra'anana, encouraging their Torah studies and offering blessings for the new year.

Several Hasidic rebbes led the first Selichot (penitential prayers) services of the season. The Rebbe of Ashlag traveled with his followers to Tiberias and Meron for prayers at the tombs of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, an event that was moved up this year. The Rebbe of Satmar, who is currently in the United States, announced plans to visit Israel this winter, a trip prompted by conscription orders affecting many young men who cannot travel for the Tishrei holidays. The Rebbe of Vizhnitz led Selichot in Bnei Brak, wearing a tallit inherited from his father, while the Rebbe of Alexander held services in a temporary auditorium in Bnei Brak due to ongoing construction of their main study hall.

Other Hasidic leaders also conducted Selichot services, including the Rebbe of Sadiger Jerusalem, who followed the customs of the Rozhin dynasty; the Rebbe of Zutchka in Bnei Brak, who emphasized the importance of observing Shabbat as a merit for the coming year; the Rebbe of Toldedot Tsvi D'Spinka in Williamsburg; the Rebbe of Kretschneif Jerusalem; the Rebbe of Modzitz in Bnei Brak, featuring a unique sign to indicate when to respond 'Amen'; the Rebbe of Sanz-Klausenburg, who remained in Israel for the services; the Rebbe of Miskolcz in Petah Tikva; and the Rebbe of Skuleni Lakewood, who wore his father's tallit.

In a notable event, the Rebbe of Belz was expected to lead Selichot but was unable to due to illness. His son, Rabbi Aharon Mordechai Rokach, led the prayers instead. Thousands of Satmar 45 Hasidim gathered in Bnei Brak for Selichot, with a directive issued for the congregation to recite Psalm 20 for the recovery of the Rebbe of Vizhnitz, Rabbi Yisrael ben Leah Esther, and all the sick.

In politics, a significant dispute occurred within the Agudat Yisrael party, with the Gur faction reportedly demanding the removal of a Sanz representative from the Knesset list, which was described as a desecration of a member of the Council of Torah Sages.