PHOTOS [ALBUM 2 BY MOSHE GERSHBAUM AND HILLEL ENGEL] & VIDEO: [UPDATED] (SEE YOUR PHOTOS HERE)An estimated 50,000 Yidden from around the tri-state area today joined in Tfillah in the historic Atzeres Tfillah in Lower Manhattan.
The following is statement from the organizers of the Atzeres:
“Klal Yisroel has no treasure greater than the Holy Torah, no calling greater than the study of Torah, no asset more precious than those who devote themselves to learning and growing in Torah.
B’siyata diShmaya, we have been privileged in recent years to witness the flourishing of Torah study across the globe, and especially in Eretz Yisroel. In the aftermath of the destruction of European Jewry seventy years ago, when so many predicted the demise of Torah-true Judaism, we take pride and solace in this open manifestation of the Yad Hashem.
Now, however, a new law is proposed in Israel that is designed to severely limit the growth of Torah in the Holy Land. It would not only abandon Israel’s longstanding exemption of full-time yeshiva students from military service, it would expose Bnei Torah who refuse to be conscripted into the military to potential criminal sanction. This development in the Eretz Ha’kodesh is both deeply dismaying and profoundly shocking, an affront to the world Jewish community and to the honor of Hashem’s Name.
We join with the hundreds of thousands of Jews who gathered in the streets of Yerushalayim last week to pour out their hearts in tefila, and to express their anguish and protest regarding this proposed new law.
This is our message to our dear brethren in Eretz Yisroel: Know that the Torah community in America stands with you in this difficult moment of challenge!
May He who is Melameid Torah L’amo Yisroel have mercy on Klal Yisroel and usher in the time when we witness the fulfillment of Yeshaya Ha’Novi’s prophecy: “וכל בניך למודי ד’, ורב שלום בניך — And all your children will be students of Hashem, and your children will have peace.”
Wow! What a site to see. may all our tefilos be answered!
Thanks for the Vivaser for sponsoring thousands of copies of the tefillos
There were much more than 50,000, I think you forgot to count me.
There are some reports that were more like 150,000.
Just wondering, why was there no mention of this on any of the major NY TV channels last night on the news. With that many people you would think it would have some coverage.
Whats the wondering ? Y should they cover it ? I didnt disrupt traffic & no one turned over cars, smashed store-front windows or flipped over buses. The Wall Dt Journal did have a piece on it in today paper, w/ a small picture.
I was there. 50,000 ppl is a very generous estimate. The crowd filled 10 blocks. U think there were more than 5,000 ppl per block ? No way. We werent standing crammed together. But, really, like a weiter in Hamodia wrote today, who cares how many ppl were there ? There was a sea of ppl, thousands apon thousands, all to daven to H-shem. Thats te main thing.
to Ice Castles: I don’t know where you were standing, but from were I was standing we were all squashed together like sardines!
No one said anything about being disruptive , only that many people would be newsworthy.
I just found this on FB.
Wow, 360 degree photo with sound
http://chaimperl.com/blog/360-a-protest-with-prayers/
To common Cents – i was on Water st between Governeur & Wall st. I wasnt aware some blocks were jammed. My bad.