An atzeres tefillah was held today in Lakewood, NJ in light of the giyus situation in Eretz Yisroel.

Roshei yeshiva and rabbonim had issued a call for people to attend the rally today, held in the heart of Lakewood, due, according to a statement prior to the event, to the “impending implementation of new Israeli draft laws that threaten to force thousands of bnei Torah into the military, posing an unprecedented threat to limud haTorah in Eretz Yisroel – the very lifeblood of the Jewish nation.”

The four roshei yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoah, Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yeruchem Olshin, Rav Dovid Schustal and Rav Yisroel Neuman, had issued a kol korei stating that men, women and children should attend the atzeres tefillah today.

Rosh yeshiva of mesivtos across Lakewood were asked to attend the event along with the talmidim of their yeshivos.

The gathering was held in a parking lot at Clifton Avenue and Ninth Street across from Beth Medrash Govoha’s Bais Aron Bais Medrash.

Other roshei yeshiva in attendance included Rav Aharon Feldman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg, Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood, ad Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Tiferes Yerachmiel.

Various speeches were then delivered, describing the “gravity” of the new giyus law and “the threat it poses to the Olam HaTorah.” The speakers were call up by Rabbi Mordechai Levy.

The speakers stood on a platform erected in front of the crowd, with a large attached umbrella to protect them from the falling rain. The speakers were projected on a large screen for the crowd to see and hear.

The atzeres program began with Mincha at 1:30 p.m., led by Rav Leizer Ganz, who also recited Tehillim. Tehillim was then also recited by Rav Shmuel Choueka and Rav Michel Handelsman.

The first drasha was delivered by Rav Yisroel Neuman, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoah, who also recited Tehillim.

Tehillim was then said by Rav Mordechai Betzalel Klein, the Skulener Rebbe of Lakewood, and Rav Shmuel Halberstadt.

Brief remarks were then delivered by Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo, who recited Tehillim.

Rav Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoah, then addressed the atzeres.

Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg, spoke next. In his remarks, he stated that the entire purpose of the medinah in Eretz Yisroel is to “oiker zein Torah, to uproot Torah.” He said that even for those who are not learning Torah, it is forbidden to join the Israeli army.

“[The draft law] is a gezeirah that we cannot compare to any of the gezerios that there have been until now,” he said.

Remarks were then delivered by Rav Yeruchem Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoah, who then also led the crowd in reciting Selichos.

The Novominsker Rebbe led the recital of Shema Koleinu.

Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood, then delivered a drasha and led the crowd in reciting Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim. Rav Dovid Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoah, then led the crowd in the remainder of Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim and recited Kaddish.

A second minyan for Mincha was then held, led by Rav Menachem Savitz, ending after 4 p.m.

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{Matzav.com}