The atzeres is just hours away and Yidden from all over Israel are planning to attend. It appears that the number of participants may exceed the most optimistic predictions as many are realizing the magnitude of the auspices event, the recitation of Tehillim in Yerushalayim, on rosh chodesh, led by Gedolei Yisrael Shlita, in a crowd that is expected to be more than ‘shishim ribo’.

Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein, Mora D’asra of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak and and member of the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah was asked if one should recite the bracha ??? ????? at the Million Man Atzeres, the special bracha recited when one sees 600,000 Jews gathered together. The rav responded that one should, with Shem U’Malchus.

It is explained that on the one hand, 600,000 or more are expected to attend. On the other hand, one cannot be certain and in addition, one will not actually see 600,000 at one time. Rav Zilberstein stated that in our to be yotzei in line with all opinions, in line with the psak Halacha of the Chassam Sofer and in line with the practice of the Ponevezh Rov regarding the bracha of a Pidyon HaBen. One should learn the Halachos of the bracha and in this limud one should recite the bracha with Shem U’Malchus.

Following is the Halacha in line with the words of HaGaon Rav Zilberstein.

“????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ????, ?? ????? ?? – ???? ‘???? ????? ????, ???? ???????; ??? ????? ?????, ???? ???? ?????’ (?????? ?,??); ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? – ????: ‘???? ??? ?’ ??????? ??? ?????, ??? ?????’. ????? ???? ????? ?????, ???? ???? ??? ?’ ??????? ??? ?????, ???? ?????? ???? ???; ???? ?????, ???? ???? ?????? ??????; ???? ????? ?????, ???? ???? ?????? ???? ???; ???? ?????, ???? ???? ?????? ??????” (???”?, ????? ?????, ??? ?’ ???? ?”?)

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)