I do think you have to realize that this sounds like R’ Kanievsky’s personal opinion on this matter (i.e. he considered the facts as he knows them and based on his understanding of the chances of anything happening and a person’s responsibility to act accordingly) and I don’t think is based on his opinion of supernatural intervention in the matter. If his opinion was based on supernatural intervention than that is akin to relying on a miracle, in lieu of taking practical action, which is contrary to Jewish tradition (unless a prophet comes along, but to be a prophet there are certain tests which no one alive that I am aware of has met). Frankly, I discount the validity of anyone here who would suggest that the opinion of R’ Kanievesky is based on something other than his own rational thought processes.

That said the conclusion of this can be that a chemical attack does happen and people die or suffer because they did not have gas masks. That still does not make R’ Kanievsky’s analysis incorrect as his directive here may have been based on sound judgement. Reliance on a Gadol’s opinion is no guarantee that anyone’s life will be saved as unfortunately evidenced during WW2 when many Gedolim were against people leaving Europe. Again, there as well the Gedolim may have made a valid analysis based on how they understand life and the situation, but that does not equate to the end result working out the way you hope.

So to conclude, I would say if it makes you feel better get a gas mask. Hopefully like R’ Kanivesky seems to have concluded it will not be necessary. On the other hand I don’t think anyone has a right to fault you for taking an extra precaution, even one that in the opinion of the Gadol Hador is unnecessary.

2)Continuing to learn is good, but a threat like this needs prayer and fixing of bein adam lechaveiro, What does this mean CONTINUE to learn? You’ve leatrned before, now there’s a threat , so something else is required.
3) “Beyond our understanding” is not for this world. Here, a rebbe, rav and educator needs to explain and teach as per Moshe Rabbeinu. Torah lav bashamayim, Our faith is based on explanation, questions and more explanation. We are not cultists nor do we have an infallible pope. The first question in a gemarrah on a mishnah is Minu Hanei Mili? . Please don’t talk down to us as something beyond our understanding. If it is, then explain it..

1: YWN reporting (yet again) something a gaol may or may not have said from “sources”. What is this, the enquirer?

2: Those making negative comments about Rav Chaim Shlita. Even a week before the Yom Hadin?

thats bordering on being a tzeduki, if someone’s rebbe paskens something that needs to be followed so the talmidim of r chaim kanievski would be following a psak

im positing a question here, in the last war that gas masks were distributed how many people died because they were wearing a gas mask (albeit improperly) as opposed to not wearing one at all?

AThought says:
August 29, 2013 at 4:45 am

We all proved that the Gedolei Hador were right before Saddam ys”h fired rockets into Israel, so will it be proven that they are right now that only Torah protects and we must continue limud Torah. The more yeshivas, the more Torah, the more mitzvot, the more protection.

that worked well in the 1930′s and 1940′s why not quote the gedolem who said that then

So it appears that Rav Kanievsky does know what he is talking about, and the vile criticism against him is totally unjustified. Once countries start using non-conventional weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical or biological) there isn’t much you can do about it. Thus the correct response in such matters is to “keep learning and carry on”. As is being illustrated in Israel, the panic is probably a bigger threat than the gas is likely to be.