In the tradition of the age-old minhag, HaGaon HaRav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi banged on the shtender on Rosh Chodesh Elul and yelled out E-L-U-L!
HaRav Ezrachi is the Rosh Yeshivah of Ateres Yisrael, located in Modiin Illit.
The minhag of banging on the shtender on Rosh Chodesh Elul began as a way of instilling fear about the impending Yom HaDin in the hearts of mispallelim.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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10 Responses
R Boruch Mordechai is the RY of Ateres Yisroel in BAYIT VGAN not Modiin Ilit
Hey ‘Yeshiva World’ is your namesake – get it correct
Wow my bad. They have moved and you are correct.
Hey Bunim, they moved a whole bunch of years ago. Stay updated or stay quiet.
Sorry Bunim, get with the program! Ateres moved to Kiryat Sefer THREE years ago. YW got it correct. Maybe check next time before you make snide comments.
All the Names of the Chadashim were made up by Goyim in Bavel. In those times the Goyim were also still using Lunar Months with the last month of the year repeating itself twice so as to remain within the agricultural seasons of the year.
The only thing, the Eibishter was telling Moishe in Parshas Bo, was, that Nissan should be counted the first of all months.
can we get the rest of the shmooze
This reminds me of the minions video
Bunim
The yeshivah moved from Bayit V’Gan to Modiin Ilit a few years ago.
Bunim
You owned up to your mistake inmediately.
Respect.
As Yom Hadin approaches may we all be as humble and forthcoming about our mistakes.
Regarding the actual topic of this post:
It’s interesting to note the difference in the way Chassidim and Litvaks approach the topic of Chodesh Elul, Teshuva, and the Yomim Noroim.
The way of Chasiddus is to keep this internal. The awe is there, but is not shown outside or shared. Interestingly enough, that is in keeping with the words of Chovos Halevovos (hardly a “Chassidishe” sefer), who says: ‘The Chossid keeps his mirth on his face and his mourning in his heart’. This is also reflected in the clear halacha that we dress in festive clothing and hold a festive Seudah on Rosh Hashana, to show that we are certain that we will emerge victorious.
The Litvish attitude is a polar opposite. The fear must be palpable and tangible. If you can’t achieve that on your own, we’ll have to put the fear of G-D into you by any means possible. The Rosh Yeshiva roaring out “ELUL!” is a way to remind you that you must be shaking in your footwear every waking moment.
Please note that I’m not judging. I am pointing out two very different approaches to Yiddishkeit and Avodas Hashem. Each person should choose whichever approach works better for himself and whichever one appeals to him more. The main point is to be aware of this month and the coming days when we are closer to Hashem and can do our spiritual housecleaning.
A כתיבה וחתימה טובה to all of us!