Rabbi Yehuda Cohen Leads Yom Kippur Prayers at Jerusalem Yeshiva

Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, a member of the Council of Torah Sages and head of the 'Yakirei Yerushalayim' yeshiva, led prayers at his institution during Yom Kippur. Upon arriving at the yeshiva hall, Rabbi Cohen lit memorial candles for his parents, a customary practice. He was honored with opening the Ark of Providence and later received an aliyah to the Torah for the Maftir portion.

Several donors who traveled from abroad attended the prayers, joining Rabbi Cohen. During the service, the Rabbi paused the prayers to instruct the students to refrain from shouting, emphasizing that prayers offered with heartfelt intention and sincerity, even without shouting, are what heaven seeks. Before the concluding Neilah prayer, Rabbi Cohen delivered a sermon to the students, speaking about the essence of the day and likening it to a private moment with God, a time for profound spiritual awakening.

At the conclusion of the holy day, during the "Rabbeinu Tam" period, Rabbi Cohen performed the Havdalah ceremony for all the students. Following the ceremony, the students spontaneously sang a song praising the "great Kohen" (referring to Rabbi Cohen) for emerging safely from the Holy of Holies. After the fast concluded, a study session was held for the students before they departed for their break.