Thousands Gather for Annual Rabbi Yitzhak Ratzabi Religious Event in Bnei Brak

Thousands of members of the Yemenite community and residents of Bnei Brak gathered on Sunday for the traditional "Hakbalat Pnei Rebbe" (welcoming the Rebbe) ceremony for Rabbi Yitzhak Ratzabi, the head of the "Peulat Tzadik" rabbinical court and a prominent halachic authority. The event, held annually at the "HaTarklin" hall in Bnei Brak, was combined with the traditional "Simchat Beit Hashoeva" celebrations.

The ceremony began with prayers and psalms recited by approximately 200 children from the Yemenite community, led by Rabbi Avner Ladani, director of the "Alfei Yehuda" organization. Rabbi Elazar Yosef of the "Eitan HaTorah" yeshiva led the prayers, and the children concluded by reciting the "Shema Yisrael" prayer.

Several prominent rabbis delivered speeches, including Rabbi Masoud Ben Shimon, who spoke about the joy of seeing Torah scholars gathered around Rabbi Ratzabi. Rabbi Avner Afgin, head of the "Beit Halevi" yeshiva in Rosh Ha'ayin, discussed the work during the month of Tishrei. The main address was given by Rabbi Yitzhak Ratzabi himself, who addressed the difficult situation of Torah scholars facing persecution and spoke about the importance of joy during the holidays, particularly Simchat Torah. He also answered public questions.

Other speakers included Rabbi Eitan Avraham, Rabbi Yaron Cohen, Rabbi Avinoam Shmuel Yahav, Rabbi Yaakov Moalem, and Rabbi Yonah Klazen. The event was attended by dozens of rabbis from Yemenite communities across Israel, including Rabbi Aviran Yitzhak Halevi, Rabbi Yosef Hamami, Rabbi Amos Tayri, Rabbi Ezra Machfud, Rabbi David Ozni, Rabbi Zohar Ukashi, Rabbi Ovadia Krouani, and rabbis from the "Peulat Tzadik" court. City officials, including deputy mayors Rabbi Shlomo Elharar and Rabbi Eliyahu Shoshan, and city council member Rabbi Yonatan Tzadok, were also present, along with numerous scholars and students.