A massive kinnus is scheduled to take place in Bnei Brak this Sunday evening, with leading Gedolei Yisroel expected to participate in a major gathering organized by Degel HaTorah and United Torah Judaism ahead of Tuesday’s Israeli elections.

The gathering, which will take place under the banner “Lehikahel V’Laamod Al Nafsheinu,” is being organized amid mounting concern over the challenges facing the Torah world and the ongoing controversy surrounding the status of bnei yeshivos.

The kinnus will begin at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, 14 Cheshvan, along Derech Eim HaMoshavot near the Rav Landau Bridge, in the Sofrim neighborhood of northern Bnei Brak, adjacent to Kiryat Herzog.

Organizers are preparing for tens of thousands of participants from Bnei Brak and other chareidi communities throughout Eretz Yisroel. Public transportation services from major chareidi population centers are being increased, along with train service to the nearby Bnei Brak railway station.

Ahead of the gathering, Gedolei Yisroel issued a special letter describing the present situation as a critical moment for the Torah world and calling upon the chareidi public to regard participation in the kinnus as a sacred obligation.

The letter opens with the posuk, “Eis tzarah hi l’Yaakov u’mimenah yivasheia,” describing the difficult circumstances confronting lomdei Torah and the yeshivos.

In their letter, the Gedolei Yisroel call upon all those who are chareidim l’dvar Hashem to participate in the emergency gathering, which they describe as being held for the preservation and strengthening of Torah and in support of the United Torah Judaism list, represented by the letter Gimmel on the ballot.

The letter emphasizes that the current challenges facing the yeshiva world require a response from the entire Torah community.

“At this time of distress, when the Torah world is being disgraced and bnei Torah are being persecuted, it is impossible to stand on the sidelines. Rather, there is an obligation to stand up and act with all our strength for the sake of Torah and those who study it,” the Gedolei Yisroel write.

They further stress the importance of attending the gathering at what they describe as a decisive hour for the future of the Torah community.

The letter concludes with a special bracha for those who take part in the gathering and the strengthening of Torah and its lomdim.

The Gedolei Yisroel express their wish that participants merit abundant siyata d’Shmaya, bracha v’hatzlacha, and the zechus of seeing their children and grandchildren grow into righteous, G-d-fearing Jews devoted to Torah and mitzvos throughout their lives.

Preparations for the large gathering are already underway, with arrangements being made to accommodate the anticipated crowds and facilitate access to the area.

Organizers announced that the kinus has received authorization from the Israel Police and requested that all participants follow the instructions of the sadranim and security personnel.

Derech Eim HaMoshavot will be closed to vehicular traffic during the hours of the gathering, and participants are being encouraged to utilize the expanded public transportation services.

A designated area will also be established for members of the media and representatives of news organizations covering the event.

The Bnei Brak gathering follows several weeks of visits and chizuk gatherings conducted by leading roshei yeshiva throughout Eretz Yisroel in advance of the elections.

Earlier this week, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch traveled to northern Eretz Yisroel for a series of major gatherings in Charish, Haifa, and Afula, where thousands of bnei Torah assembled to hear their words of chizuk.

Sunday’s gathering in Bnei Brak is expected to serve as the central concluding kinus of the election campaign, bringing together Gedolei Yisroel and thousands of members of the chareidi community shortly before the polls open Tuesday.

{Matzav.com}