Yeshiva World News12 hours agoHaGaon HaRav Moshe Shternbuch broke down in intense tears following Selichos after midnight, delivering an emotional and deeply troubling message ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
Those present said the emotion displayed by HaRav Shternbuch was highly unusual, with even those close to him breaking down in tears as he spoke about the difficult situation facing Klal Yisroel.
“Let us return to Hashem, because the time is difficult and our troubles have multiplied, and we do not know what will be,” HaRav Shternbuch cried.
He then repeatedly called out to the Ribono Shel Olam as a father pleading for his children.
“Father, Father, Father! Return to us! How much longer will we have to suffer? You told us that we are Your children, and a father does not abandon his children. Please, do not abandon us!”
HaRav Shternbuch continued by acknowledging the failings of Klal Yisroel while pleading for Hashem’s forgiveness.
“It is true, we sinned before You with brazenness and defiance and did not listen to the voice of the holy Creator, but You are our Father. Hakadosh Baruch Hu will help and forgive us, because it is the way of a father to forgive his son, and You will forgive us because we are Your children.”
His voice filled with emotion as he then issued a particularly ominous warning.
“Rabbosai! The situation is not good! I am not permitted to speak, and I will not speak, chas v’shalom, but the situation is bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter!”
HaRav Shternbuch warned of attempts to spiritually uproot Klal Yisroel and transform the Jewish people into a nation like all others.
“They want to completely uproot us from Hakadosh Baruch Hu. They want us to be a nation like all the nations, a people like all the peoples — and regarding this Hakadosh Baruch Hu said that what enters your minds will not happen. It will not happen!”
He concluded with another anguished plea, warning that Klal Yisroel is living through a dangerous period.
“This is a time of troubles. Hakadosh Baruch Hu should help us and have mercy on us, and help us get through this.”
The extraordinary scene left those present shaken as HaRav Shternbuch continued weeping, just days after he similarly broke down during Selichos in Beit Shemesh while warning about the tragedies, wars and gezeiros that have struck Klal Yisroel over the past year.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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Yeshiva World News1 day agoIn an extraordinary turn of events at the massive Ateres Shlomo Torah network, thousands of avreichim who had gone three months without receiving their monthly stipends were paid in full Thursday — after an American donor agreed to cover the enormous shortfall on one unusual condition: Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin would accompany him to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.
According to B’Chadrei Chareidim, thousands of avreichim learning in Ateres Shlomo kollelim across Eretz Yisroel had not received their stipends for three consecutive months amid serious financial difficulties facing the network.
The financial strain was attributed in part to the weak U.S. dollar, with the network struggling to close substantial budget gaps while continuing to support its enormous network of yeshivos and kollelim.
The remarkable breakthrough came when HaRav Sorotzkin visited the home of a wealthy donor in Miami.
The donor presented the Rosh Yeshiva with an unusual proposition: “If Rosh Yeshiva comes with me to Uman for Rosh Hashanah — I will cover all the debts that same day and transfer the full amount for the three months.”
HaRav Sorotzkin, carrying the responsibility for thousands of avreichim and their families, did not immediately accept the offer.
Late Wednesday night, he held an urgent telephone consultation with one of the Gedolei Yisroel, explaining the situation and the condition imposed by the donor.
After hearing the details and considering the tremendous financial pressure facing thousands of families just before the Yomim Tovim, the Gadol instructed HaRav Sorotzkin to accept the offer.
HaRav Sorotzkin then turned to the donor with a simple response: “Transfer the money — and I’m coming.”
The Rosh Yeshiva subsequently departed for Uman.
And the donor kept his word.
By Thursday, the bank accounts of thousands of Ateres Shlomo avreichim had been credited with the outstanding funds, with all three months of unpaid stipends deposited in full.
The dramatic development brought tremendous relief to thousands of families just days before Rosh Hashanah, ending a months-long financial crisis with a conclusion few could have imagined.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
