Thousands Flock to Jerusalem Simchas Beis Hashoeivah
On Thursday night, the Rebbe’s instruction to hold Simchas Beis Hashoeivah celebrations in the public domain was more than fulfilled when over 50,000 people from all backgrounds and communities attended the largest such event in Israel. Despite certain attempts to ban the celebration due to worries over tznius, the evening went ahead, with much effort to ensure that people would stay within the boundaries of a mechitza that was put up to separate men and women. pThe director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Aharonov, was in charge of the organization of the event. The celebration also received the backing of Beis Din Rabbanei Chabad, who stated this week that these events should go ahead, just like every year.
At the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah, participants received a booklet of passages taken from the Rebbe’s sichos regarding the importance of holding a Simchas Beis Hashoeivah specifically in the city streets.
The nearby streets were decorated in honor of the event with colorful lights and an impressive image of the Beis Hamikdash, and fireworks illuminated the sky above. Rabbi Naftali Roth, who organized the whole event, emceed the program, during which music was provided by Chassidic entertainer Mendy Jerufi.
Among those who spoke were: Rabbi Y. Y. Aharonov, Russian multi-millionaire Arkady Gaydamek (with the assistance of Rabbi Meir Varozov of the Lubavitch Youth Organization’s immigrant absorption department, who acted as interpreter), Rabbi Chanania Yosef Eisenbach, Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Tmimim in Bnei Brak, Rabbi Shimon Elituv, head of the area council in Mateh Binyamin, Jerry Pinder of Los Angeles, and more.
source: shmais
