Rabbi M. Shternbuch Observes Sukkot Amidst Dramatic Events
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Rabbi M. Shternbuch, a leading Israeli rabbinic authority, celebrated Sukkot with numerous visitors and events, including a dramatic mid-air incident that coincided with his prayers. He also voiced strong criticism of the legal system and participated in significant religious ceremonies. The rabbi spent time at his yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, engaging in prayer, Torah study, and festive dancing during the holiday's concluding celebrations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi M. Shternbuch's prayers for "Hoshana for three hours" were seen as prophetic to a dramatic three-hour flight from Dubai.
- Rabbi Shternbuch warned that law enforcement and judicial authorities could "even arrest me" due to their lack of restraint.
- The world's smallest Torah scroll, previously owned by Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, was presented to Rabbi Shternbuch.
- Rabbi Shternbuch hosted a banquet for donors to his yeshiva network and received a 50-year-old wine from rabbinic officials.
- Students at Rabbi Shternbuch's yeshiva paid "ten thousand pages of Talmud" for the honor of being 'Chatan Torah' for him.
- Rabbi Shternbuch led prayers and danced enthusiastically during the concluding hakafot ceremonies of Sukkot.
During Sukkot, Rabbi M. Shternbuch, known as 'posek hador' (the generation's leading decisor), held court in his large sukkah in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood. Among the many prominent rabbis and Rebbes who visited were Rabbi Shariel Rosenberg, Rabbi Naftali Nussbaum, and Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Karp.
On Wednesday, amidst a severe mid-air incident involving a flight from Dubai, attendees noted Rabbi Shternbuch's tearful repetition of "Hoshana for three hours" during prayers. Many later saw this as a prophetic sign for the three-hour flight drama, from which all passengers were miraculously saved.
In another instance, Rabbi Shternbuch expressed strong criticism of law enforcement and judicial authorities to Rabbi Shimon Shisha, warning, "They can even arrest me," citing their lack of restraint.
During the Hoshana Rabbah prayers, Rabbi Shternbuch was seen weeping and praying for the cancellation of harsh decrees.
Rabbi Shternbuch also hosted a special banquet for donors to his 'Tshuvot Vehנהgagot' network of yeshivas, featuring music and speeches by Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Sternbuch and Rabbi David Sternbuch. Attendees received blessings and a gift of a Psalms book.
A 50-year-old wine was presented to Rabbi Shternbuch by rabbis from 'Ha'Edah Ha'Chareidit's' kashrut committee, who then recited the rare "Hatov Vehameitiv" blessing.
Rabbi Shternbuch also spent time at his yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, where students purchased the honor of being 'Chatan Torah' (groom of the Torah) for him for "ten thousand pages of Talmud" of shared study. He led prayers, read from the Torah, and danced enthusiastically during the hakafot (circuit processions) on Simchat Torah and the subsequent Hakafot Shniyot, encouraging the singing and blessing the students.
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