Sderot Yeshiva Head Suggests Reciting Full Hallel on Simchat Torah

Rabbi David Fendel, Rosh Yeshiva of Sderot, suggested reciting the full Hallel prayer with a blessing on Simchat Torah this year, reflecting on a recent miraculous rescue and the approaching holiday three years after the October 7th Hamas attack. In an interview with "Srugim," Rabbi Fendel stated that alongside the memory of the terrible day, this year's Simchat Torah joy stems from a significant shift in Israel's situation. He cited the Psalm "A Psalm of Thanksgiving, shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth; serve the Lord with gladness" and noted a newfound honor for Israel, quoting "You are exalted, my head." Rabbi Fendel acknowledged the tension between the holiday's joy and the difficult memories of October 7th, which occurred on Simchat Torah three years ago. He described that day as terrible but also as the beginning of resourcefulness, courage, and immense change for Israel. The rabbi asserted that the October 7th attack altered Israel's perception of threats, stating, "We were drugged, we were not only in a conception, we were simply blind, deaf. We did not understand that there was an existential threat from Iran, from Hezbollah, from Gaza, from Judea, the Arabs of Judea and Samaria, from the Arabs of Israel." He expressed a powerful feeling that this period is now behind them. The interview took place during a Hoshana Rabbah event organized by "TorahNoar" of the "Sulamot" organization at Binyanei Ha'umah in Jerusalem. The event drew over 5,000 youths who attended lectures and Torah discussions by prominent Religious Zionist rabbis in anticipation of Simchat Torah.