JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A fascinating story was reported in recent days in the city of Bnei Brak. It happened this past Monday, when leading halachic authority Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein was returning from his well-known lecture at the “Merkazi” synagogue in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood. At exactly 9:00 PM, a siren sounded warning of incoming missile fire from Iran expected within minutes. The rabbi, who was on Kahaneman Street on his way home to Ramat Gan, sought a nearby protected space.

The continuation of the story was recounted by his driver, Rabbi David Tzion, one of his close תלמידים, in a recording broadcast on the “Siach Yitzchak” hotline: the nearest shelter was the “Hatzvi” bakery on Kahaneman Street, located opposite the entrance to the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood. The driver immediately stopped the car, and Rabbi Zilberstein entered the bakery, where customers were astonished to see him walk in like any ordinary person, simply to fulfill the commandment of safeguarding one’s life.

When the siren began, everyone entered the safe room. There, Rabbi Zilberstein stood for long minutes reciting the psalm “Yoshev B’seter Elyon” repeatedly, in his unique and moving melody.

Those present said: “There is nothing more calming than being ‘stuck’ during a siren, with frightening missiles overhead, in a safe room together with a great Torah sage, it filled us with calm and peace of mind.”

הפרגוד: מרן הגאון יצחק זילברשטיין הערב בשעת האזעקה במרחב המוגן באמירת פרק “יושב בסתר עליון”

צילום: דודי ברגשטיין pic.twitter.com/oxO3yeZJ2D

— הפרגוד (@moshepargod) March 16, 2026

They also recounted that when the shopkeeper offered the nonagenarian rabbi a chair, he firmly refused, pointing instead to women standing nearby with their children, saying they should take precedence. He remained standing throughout the entire alarm.

When the all-clear was given, he exited the bakery, surrounded by many who seized the moment to receive a blessing from him right there in the street, without needing to schedule an appointment at his study hall.

But then, unexpectedly, the rabbi stopped and returned to the bakery. He asked his driver to purchase several baked goods so he could pay for them. When asked if he needed anything specific, Rabbi Zilberstein replied simply:

“I don’t need to buy anything, but out of gratitude I want to make a purchase. After all, we entered this place, and they allowed us to take shelter here during the siren, so it is only right to show appreciation and buy something.”

Rabbi Tzion concluded: “It’s unbelievable, despite all the commotion around him, with people pushing to receive blessings and ask questions, he still noticed these small details of gratitude, even though he didn’t actually need what he bought.”