In an unusual halachic ruling, Gerer rabbanim permitted live music last night, on Motzoei Tishah B’Av, for a festive reception celebrating the release of Yisroel Yehuda Fein, a talmid of Yeshivas Sefas Emes, who was freed from Military Prison 10 approximately one hour before the fast concluded. The special dispensation was granted on the grounds of kavod haTorah.

Hundreds of Gerer bochurim and chassidim welcomed Fein with spirited singing and dancing following his release. His imprisonment had become a major cause within the Gerer community and prompted widespread demonstrations over the past week.

Earlier in the week, thousands of Gerer chassidim, led by the Gerrer Rebbe, assembled outside the gates of Military Prison 10 to demand Fein’s release. After the rally concluded, a group of participants continued to the home of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, where they held an additional protest.

Upon Fein’s return to Yerushalayim, a festive reception was held at Yeshivas Sfas Emes. Although the accepted custom is to refrain from listening to music until midday on the day after Tishah B’Av, leaders of the Gerer chassidus said the chassidus’ rabbanim ruled that live music could accompany the celebration because of kavod haTorah.

Music for the event was provided by the Narnenah Choir, whose members are Gerer chassidim, together with singer Sandy Dinkel. Throughout the gathering, participants sang and danced as they celebrated Fein’s release from military prison.

Following the reception, hundreds of bochurim marched from Yeshivas Sefas Emes in the Machaneh Yehudah neighborhood to Fein’s home on Rechov Minchas Yitzchak. The procession wound through the streets of Yerushalayim with singing and dancing.

{Matzav.com}