Yeshiva World News

Tens of thousands of Satmar chasidim will gather on tonight, to commemorate the escape of the Satmar Rebbe, Hagon HaRav Yoel Teitelbaum ZATZAL, from Nazi Germany in 1944.  Already a prominent leading Rov in his native Hungary at the onset of World War II, the Rebbe ZATZAL was smuggled out of Hungary in 1944 in a deal brokered between Adolf Eichmann and Rudolph Kastner, a leader of the Hungarian Aid and Rescue Committee, which allowed 1,685 Jews to go free in exchange for money, gold and diamonds.

The annual gathering for the Satmar Kehilla under the leadership will take place at the New York State Armory, located at 355 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY.

The event will be attended by many dignitaries, VIPs, elected officials and heads of community agencies who will join together to celebrate this momentous event in Satmar history. A full detail of over one hundred members of the NYPD will be on hand to manage security and traffic.

The annual gathering also serves as a dinner and the main fundraising event for the Satmar school system in Brooklyn, which currently has an enrollment of over 13,000 children in their yeshiva and schools and according to reports in the press owns properties valued at over $500 Million throughout the state of New York.

The event, which will mark the sixty seventh anniversary of the Rebbe’s escape, will begin at 9 PM and will feature an address by the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, HaRav Zalman Teitelbaum Shlita and other Rabbonim and Admorim who will be attending this special gathering, which has evolved into an annual celebration of Satmar Chasidus.

The event for the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, HaRav Aron Teitelbaum Shlita will be held at the Armory in Crown Heights.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Seeking to extricate its mosdos from the fiscal abyss, the Chernobyl chassidus is offering a Shabbos with the rebbe shlita in a private facility at the cost of $5,000 a person. The special Shabbos Parshas Toldos is limited to 30 people who can afford this and wish to take part, adding it will take place in Tzfat.

According to a Chadrei Chareidim report, each of the participants will during the course of Shabbos have private time with the rebbe, during which time they will receive a bracha and have an opportunity to consult with him.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Last week, before the Toldos Aaron Rebbe Shlita left for North America, he spoke with chassidim explaining that for him, this is a trip to ‘golus’, but he excepts Hashem’s decree with love, realizing this is what must be.

The rebbe explained that the financial situation of mosdos is critical, calling upon chassidim to daven for his success during his fundraising mission abroad, where he will be spending Shabbos in different communities and attending many functions in the hope of raising badly-needed funds.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Skulener Rebbe Shlita, HaRav Yisrael Avraham ben Shaina Rochel has been released from Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. The rebbe was admitted earlier in the week with a very high fever. The rebbe returned to his home in Boro Park.

Gabaim of the rebbe explain that due to the rebbe’s advanced age, the decision was made to hospitalize him for the high fever.

The tzibur is requested to continue davening for the rebbe’s son, HaRav Yishaiya Yaakov Ben Raziel, who remains hospitalized in serious condition.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Skulener Rebbe Shlita has been hospitalized in New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital after complaining he was not feeling well.

Tefilos are ongoing in the beis medrash in Boro Park since the morning hours. In the hospital, the rebbe’s son, HaRav Yaakov Portugal, Av Beis Din of Meor HaGeula in Montreal, is also in need of Rachmei Shomayim. He has been in and out of the hospital since Yom Kippur.

The rebbe spent last Shabbos with chassidim in Monsey, NY, and attended functions. A granddaughter of the rebbe is scheduled to get married in the coming weeks.

The tzibur is requested to daven for the rebbe, Yisrael Avraham ben Shaina Rochel and his son, Yishaiya Yaakov Ben Raziel bsoch sh’ar cholei yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

A surprise visit was held on Sunday night in the home of Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita. At about 7:30pm, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner Shlita, Bal Shevet Halevi arrived. As the word of the visit spread hundreds of curiously seekers arrived at the Posek HaDor’s home in the hope of obtaining a look at the Rav.

When Rav Wosner asked Rav Elyashiv how he was doing, the latter replied “I am in need of much Heavenly mercy”, explaining he continues to feel generally weak. “Despite this, can we learn chavrusa” questioned Rav Wosner?

Rav Elyashiv smiled and responded “Nu Nu” and the two parted.

Aides to the Posek HaDor asked Rav Wosner if they should tell Rav Elyashiv about the death of his daughter, Rebitzen Batsheva Esther Kanievsky ob”m, to which Rav Wosner stated absolutely not.

After the visit with the Posek HaDor, Rav Wosner visited with members of the family sitting shiva for the rebitzen.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Shomrei Emunim Rebbe Shlita granted an interview with the Morasha Magazine for Sukkos. In the interview, he warns of the outbreak of World War III, and spares no words in a scathing verbal attack against President Shimon Peres, who he labels a “rosha”, blaming him for much of the tzoros that has befallen Am Yisrael.

The interviewer, Rabbi Turnauwer, asks the Rebbe how he views the changes taking place on the global scene.

REBBE: There can be no doubt that we are on the verge of a world war. This is an absolute certainty. The last prophecy in Tanach is in Malachi, and we learn that prior to the coming of Moshiach, it will be clear and there will be war, a terrible war, one the likes of which was not seen since the world’s creation.

It is absolutely clear to us that this will take place. This is the prophecy and the prophet never said anything that HaKadosh Baruch Hu did not instruct. Even a moment before this occurs we will remain uncertain. It is sufficient for one crazy Arab who takes a plane and directs it into the Vatican, destroying it. This would send the world into frenzy.

MORASHA: How does the Rebbe see this war?

REBBE: The prophet says the war will be “a single moment”, and we know that an atom bomb causes instantaneous destruction in a single moment. The Abarbanel writes in a number of seforim regarding Gog U’Magog (Armageddon) and the coming of Moshiach. Six hundred years ago he wrote how this war will look. Among the writings is when the nations of the world realize they cannot win they will turn to a nuclear bomb. This will destroy the world as we know it, in a moment. This is what the prophecy states. He however did not know about the atom bomb, but nevertheless spoke of the instantaneous destruction. The Abarbanel even describes the war will be a religious war. No one saw this 50 years ago, the matter of religion was not relevant to the nations of the world, even not with the Muslims or the Christians, but now, suddenly, they are all ‘frum’ and feel compelled to uproot the deniers.

We will not be warned, not even a moment in advance. Everything will destruct in a moment, as the prophet describes. Therefore, we must be prepared at any moment, with all our body and spirit.

I have been shouting for years calling upon the residents outside of Israel to come home to Eretz Yisrael. Even those unable to do so, at the very least, they should buy an apartment in Eretz Yisrael so they have a place to run to when the time comes.

MORASHA: What about the declaration of a Palestinian state?

REBBE: As the time of declaring statehood draw near, it is a sign that we are being pushed out, driven out of Eretz Yisrael. Therefore, Ishmael is turning the world upside down because he continues to seek a foothold here. It is not far off when HaKadosh Baruch Hu will remove the garbage and impurities from Eretz Yisrael, those who delay the redemption, those who will be as a husk in the wind and the flames will engulf the mountains.

For 120 years, and particularly the last 16 years, they plead with the Arabs to take the land. Our ‘shkotzim’ (derogatory term) want to give them the land since what is it to them? After all, for them, it is only a vehicle to raise money via the Jewish National Fund. Now that their purpose has vanished they no longer need Eretz Yisrael. They, the Arabs however refuse to take it. Do you have an explanation?

Our instinct should tell us that HaKadosh Baruch Hu runs the world. Don’t worry for we have a defense minister above us, a much more successful one that the one we call the defense minister of the State of Israel. He sits in the Heavens.

All of the revolutions and turbulence began in 5760 and since then, the pace increases. We only need to see the Taliban overtake the nuclear facility in Pakistan and then it’s over. We are dealing with wild animals that can threaten the entire world. And it will come to being. Then the prophecy will be fulfilled – “והתגדלתי והתקדשתי ונודעתי לעיני גויים רבים”. (Hashem’s presence in the world will reach its height at the End of Days when Moshiach will help fix the world. Yechezkel 38:23 description of Gog U’Magog).

500 years ago, the Abarbanel wrote in his holy writings the wonders of what will occur with the Arabs. The entire process is taking place at lightning speed as if one who has a closeout sale in a store, paying off all debts before going out of business.

Since 5760 the world has not been quiet – a tsunami, earthquakes, Japan, Hashem is taking care of business, not permitting them and tranquility. We have a sense that these acts are in preparation for what is to come.

In the ’Chessed L’Avraham’ Rav Chaim Yosef David Azoulay writes in the introduction in 5760 the oceans will wash away the world and since that year we see both the Christians and Muslims are yelling that the redemption is near since they see and feel it. It is already past the stage of ‘signs of the Geula’ but one who delves into the words of our Sages and the holy books see that it is visible in our day, the revelation of the wonders.

The vicissitudes in the world today are not only in the Arab world, but in the United States as well. This is major but most simply miss it, they don’t understand. I have studied the shameful behavior of different periods — especially that of the years of the Holocaust, in which there were partners in the murder of Jews, those who demanded money to save Jews, those who refused to accept the rabbonim.

During the time period of the establishment of the state, President Roosevelt placed an embargo, refusing to send weapons to Eretz Yisrael. And behold, they are now losing their influence and experiencing financial collapse. They have lost their values in the eyes of the international community.

Why all the nations, headed by the ‘black dog’ (the term used by the Rebbe for US President Barak Obama), an Arab too, and he was elected because he stood for assisting the Arab conspiracy, standing firmly together against Israel.

A maniac stands up and announces he wishes to annihilate Israel and how does the world react? Nothing! Perhaps a few sanctions… and what does HaKadosh Baruch Hu do, disharmony between them, compelling them to busy themselves with their own matters.

Regarding the changes in the world, the Admor adds that “davka” Obama decided to select Egypt as his venue for his great first address, and from that location he began to bark. In proximity of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, from where the great revolt will occur. And who was the first to place the knife in the back of the Egyptian president – none other than the president of the United States.

Who ever heard of such turmoil in the Arab world? In the past, if anyone dared to plot a revolution, in Egypt, Jordan or Syria, they sent troops to wipe them out, murdering tens of thousands in a number of days. No one dared to utter a word. What was bad in Tunisia, a quiet nation, and suddenly, a revolution – what was that about. This is because that was a base for the PLO in the past.

The beginning of Ishmael’s fall was in Babylonia, what is Iraq today. 150,000 of these people have already fallen. For 2000 years “O violated daughter of Babylon – praiseworthy is he who repays you in accordance with the manner that you treated us. Praiseworthy is he who will clutch and dash your infants against the rock” (Tehillim: 137:8,9) and Baruch Hashem now, we merit seeing this. Is this a trivial matter? Is he blind?

Look and see just how the leftists hide their true view. Sitting here is Eretz Yisrael is a murderer. I speak of him since he played a role in destroying neshamas during the aliyah period, and in addition to this, he is credited with the Oslo Agreement that he brought to Eretz HaKodesh all the murderers from Tunisia. Some 2,000 Jewish lives have been claimed since as a result of his actions, this rosha. For this we don’t see a need for an investigation! We simply ignore this?

“This klipa called Peres” displayed pig’s feet as he helped bnei yeshivos. He destroys yiddishkheit and there is no one else like him. He sold Eretz Yisrael to Arafat (May his memory be wiped out) for his own interests. All the thievery by elected officials that we have seen. One must question why he is given respect and honor.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Reports regarding Yom Kippur and the condition of HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita indicate the Posek HaDor was quite weak, continuing on intravenous antibiotic treatment.

The Rav participated in Kol Nidrei in the caravan minyan adjacent to his home as well as maariv. During the day, a minyan was held in his home at 10 Chanan Street in Meah Shearim. The Rav was too weak to take part in the regular minyan.

Maran was connected to the intravenous during the entire day Yom Kippur, providing the pharmaceutical therapy along with hydration. On motzei Yomtov, after maariv, the Rav did take part in the minyan for Kiddush Levana. The Rav then took part in writing an ois in a Sefer Torah for a Sefer for Yeshivas Shalheves HaTorah in Modi’in Illit.

Kol HaChareidi reported the Rav left his home for mincha on erev Yomtov too. It was also reported that a Jewish physician, a nurse, and a non-Jew remained in the rav’s home during Yom Kippur to tend to all medical treatments.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

As is his custom, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aron Teitelbaum Shlita held an Aseres Yimei Tshuva drasha on Sunday, 4 Tishrei, in the large Satmar Beis Medrash in Williamsburg. After his halachic portion of his address, the Rebbe addressed inyanei dyoma, pointing a finger at the growing number of electronic gadgetry that has invaded our day-to-day lives.

The Rebbe expressed concerns regarding parents who give their children a cellular telephone for short periods of time, possibly when they go on errands, shopping, stressing the dangers involved, even for a short period of time.

“A cellular telephone in the hands of a child is like given him a loaded gun. Would you give your child a loaded gun for just a few minutes”?

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman is experiencing strong pains in a leg, apparently due to an infection, making ambulation most difficult.

During the days of Rosh Hashanah the Rosh Yeshiva walked from his home at 5 Chazon Ish Street in Bnei Brak to Yeshivas Gaon Yaakov on Nechemia Street, a walk that takes the Gadol HaDor 30 minutes.

The Rosh Yeshiva davens in Gaon Yaakov every year, the yeshiva headed by a son-in-law, Rabbi Ze’ev Berlin to take part in tefilos musaf and shofar blowing. The Rav’s grandson is the bal tokea.

Due to the infection and its accompanying pains and difficulty ambulating, the Rav remains home at this time. In past years, the Rosh Yeshiva delivers many shiurim during the Aseres Yimei Tshuva in Yeshivas Ponevezh and Slobodka, attracting thousands, but this year, he may cancel some or all of them due to the Rav’s physical condition.

A final decision is expected to be announced soon regarding the Rosh Yeshiva’s schedule in the coming days. The tzibur is asked to daven for HaGaon Rav Aaron Yehuda Leib ben Gittel Feige.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita is calling on the tzibur to daven for HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom [ben Chaya Musha] Elyashiv Shlita, whose health continues to decline.

The Posek HaDor was admitted to Shaare Zedek Medical Center for tests in recent weeks, and it appears he has not since recovered. While he was discharged, the Rav has been weak and having difficulty maintaining his daily routine. This was the case on Rosh Hashanah too.

As a result of his weakness over yomtov, the Rav has agreed to return to Shaare Zedek for another round of tests. It is unclear exactly when this will occur.

In the Sunday edition of the Israeli Yated, there is a notice in the name of Rav Shteinman Shlita calling upon the tzibur to daven for Rav Elyashiv’s well-being.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

It was an emotional Rosh Hashanah for Chassidei Vishnitz as mispallalim in the main beis medrash in Bnei Brak were joined by the Rebbe Shlita for some of the tefilos.

There was an outburst of joy as the Rebbe entered on erev yomtov, and this continued on the second day as the Rebbe entered and joined the minyan for tekios shofar and musaf.

Nevertheless, chassidim are aware of the Rebbe’s difficult condition and they continue reciting Tehillim for R’ Moshe Yehoshua ben Margalis.

Rav Feibish Miller, a prominent Vishnitz chossid is quoted as telling Kikar Shabbat on motzei Shabbos “This yomtov, we truly saw miracles and wonders. We merited having the Rebbe Shlita join us – for ‘Malchius, Zichronos and Shofaros’. Thousands of chassidim went past the Rebbe and wished him gut yomtov.

Rav Miller calls upon the tzibur at large to continue davening for the Rebbe’s wellbeing.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

There has been a deterioration in the condition of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe Shlita over recent days. Gabbaim report this has been the case since Shabbos. Officials report the Rebbe is running a fever and doctors are working to rule out a systemic infection. The Rebbe is receiving intravenous therapy.

About a month ago, the Rebbe’s condition worsened but following tefilos, he began to improve. The tzibur is requested to be mispallel for the Rebbe, Moshe Yehoshua ben Margalis. Chassidim will gather at 10pm in the Vishnitz Beis Medrash in Bnei Brak to daven for the Rebbe’s refuah shleima along with chassidim in other cities in Eretz Yisrael and around the world.

Kikar Shabbat reports two daughters of the Rebbe are expected to arrive on a flight from the United States, the Satmar Rebitzen and the Skverer Rebitzen, planning to spend Rosh Hashanah at their father’s side.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

On Sunday night (27 Elul), a celebration was held marking the 101st birthday of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg Shlita. A number of the rav’s prominent talmidim arrived at his home on Sunday night, on Panim Meiros Street in the Mattersdorf neighborhood, with the Rav delivering a shiur on inyanei d’yoma.

Following the shiur, the Roash Yeshiva gave participants a bracha, followed by each talmid approaching the rav and requesting a private bracha. Later in the night, a number of prominent philanthropists arrived and a special seuda was held.

Today, Monday (27 Elul), the Rosh Yeshiva was shaliach tzibur for slichos in Yeshivos Torah Ohr. After davening, talmidim escorted him with song and dance. At 2:00pm, a ceremony will be held for children marking their upsherin.

May he be Zoche to greet Moshiach in our days!

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Am Yisrael is requested to be mispallel on behalf of Hagon Rav Menashe Klein, the Ungvar Rebbe Shlita, who underwent a cardiac catheterization procedure in Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim on Sunday morning (26 Elul). His condition is reported as serious.

Rav Klein has a Bais Medrash on 16th Avenue in Boro Park, and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ungvar in Ramat, Yerushalayim. He is also the author of the Shalios Utshuvos Mishnah Halachos, and is one of today’s senior Poskim for the Chassidish communities around the world.

Approximately ten years ago, the Rov began splitting his time between the USA and Eretz Yisrael, and two years ago officially moved to Eretz Yisroel.

The tzibur is requested to daven for Menashe ben Rachel Leah.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)