Thousands of Rabbis Observe Fast of Speech During Election Night Study Session
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
The initiative encouraged intensive Torah learning instead of following election results. Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein endorsed the program and conducted a digital raffle for participants, with NIS 15,000 in prizes. The program also extended to prisons, with 30 inmates joining the study session.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- 2,763 rabbis observed a fast of speech during election night for intensive Torah study.
- Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein endorsed the program and hosted a digital raffle for participants.
- Donors contributed NIS 15,000 for prizes to be awarded to study program participants.
- Thirty prisoners also joined the fast of speech study session on election night.
The initiative aimed to encourage intensive Torah study during a time when many might be preoccupied with political updates. Participants committed to abstaining from all news and discussion for an hour and a half, focusing solely on their studies.
The program was inspired by the late Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, who advocated for continuous study as the most significant activity during election periods.
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, a prominent rabbinical authority, endorsed the program. He agreed to host a raffle for the participants, with NIS 15,000 in prize money and other gifts contributed by donors. The raffle was conducted digitally at Rabbi Zilberstein's residence, with Rabbi Zilberstein himself operating the computer to select the winners.
Notably, 30 prisoners joined the fast of speech study session on election night after learning about the initiative.
During the event, Rabbi Zilberstein commented on the importance of publishing "holy" images alongside secular ones, to counter the prevalence of "impure" content in modern media. He expressed his approval of the digital raffle, acknowledging its significance for Torah scholars.