Orthodox Communities Celebrate High Holidays with Events and Gatherings

Orthodox Jewish communities across Israel and globally marked the High Holidays with a series of events and observances. In Talzstone, the "Be'er Yitzchak" yeshiva inaugurated its newly expanded and renovated study hall on the eve of Yom Kippur, with prayers for Rosh Hashanah already held there. In Antwerp, Belgium, thousands of Hasidim gathered for Selichot prayers at the Pshevarsk Hasidic court.

Leading up to Rosh Hashanah, various Rebbes and rabbis visited Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shachter, the senior Breslov rabbi, to offer and receive blessings for the new year. In Bnei Brak, many Hasidic Rebbes performed the ancient custom of "Hatarat Nedarim" (annulment of vows) on the last day of the Jewish year 5776.

During Rosh Hashanah, large crowds attended services in Bnei Brak's synagogues, particularly at the Vizhnitz, Darag, Sadigura, and other Hasidic courts. The Rebbe of Modzitz was hospitalized with a heart condition during the holiday but insisted on leading prayers before the Ark on the first morning.

Other events included the Rebbe of Sanz-Klausenburg returning to the United States after a visit to Israel, the Rebbe of Nadvorna visiting his new study hall in Kiryat Gat, and a birth occurring near Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's tomb in Uman, Ukraine. A seven-year-old Israeli child briefly went missing in Uman but was found safely.

Discussions and articles focused on preparations for the High Holidays, including advice from the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov on prayer and overcoming fear. The article also touches on political developments within the Agudat Yisrael party, with a new faction emerging from a split between the Belz and Shlomi Emunim factions.