UPDATE: After some confusion on the date, we have now clarified that the date of the prayer gathering will be Monday night, April 8th, 2019. Thanks to the readers who pointed that out.
On March 12th, 2019, Rav Eliezer Berland, shlita, again returned to the theme of the huge prayer gathering being called on Nissan 4th, 5779 (Monday night, April 8th, 2019) in Hevron. In a brief recorded message, the Rav said:
“All of us are obliged to come to the giant prayer gathering in the honor of Pesach, that will be held in Hevron, at the graves of the Patriarchs in the Mearat HaMachpela.
“On Monday night, going into the 4th Nissan, 5779 (Monday night, April 8th, 2019), each person is obliged to come to the prayer gathering, and to donate the hezit hashekel[1]. People need to give at least 100 shekels.
“Each and every person should take care of their trumah (contribution). Hashem is with you, give with an ayin yafa (good eye), and there will be salvations within Am Yisrael.
Such miracles that haven’t been seen since the creation of the world. From this mome”nt, the salvations will begin that haven’t been seen since the creation of the world. Amen, and amen.”
Rockets on Tel Aviv
Three days later, on March 15th, terrorists in Gaza fired 2 Fajr rockets at Tel Aviv, which failed to be intercepted by the Iron Dome.
Baruch Hashem, both rockets fell in empty spaces in Gush Dan, including in Holon. The salvations are already beginning, as per Rav Berland’s words. Gush Dan and the suburbs of Tel Aviv is the most densely-populated area in Israel, and there is very little ‘empty space’.
May we all have the merit of heeding the words of the Tzaddik, who warned on December 6, 2018, before Chanuka, that the whole of Israel was under imminent threat of rocket attacks from both the North and the South.
At that time, the Rav said:
“They are readying thousands upon thousands of rockets, which will reach to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem”
- All of Israel is in very grave, life-threatening danger.
- The rockets will fall on all parts of Israel, including Beer Sheva, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
- The only way to stop this terrible decree is via prayer.
- No-one will come to help us, as all the world is against us.
- The Rav is asking for 50,000 people to attend the prayer gathering in Hevron.
- The Iron Dome, the IDF and the Israeli government are going to be powerless to stop the rockets this time. Only prayer is going to avert a disaster for the Jewish people.
Rav Berland has called for 50,000 people to attend the prayer gathering in Hevron before Pesach, to sweeten the gathering judgments.
Bezrat Hashem, we will heed his voice.
- To hear the Rav giving over the message in the original Hebrew, please click HERE.
[1] The Half Shekel was originally mentioned in Parshat Ki Tisa. It was traditionally paid before Pesach for the upkeep of the Temple. There are varying traditions about the Half Shekel in our times, with some commentators saying it should be paid by every man, woman and child before Purim, in remembrance of all the Jews who were saved from Haman and the enemies of Israel. The Kaf Ha-Chayim wrote that the purpose of the donation is to attain atonement, which is why every person should be included.
The Rambam wrote more about the halachot of the Half Shekel in Laws of Shekalim 1:5.
There are at least 4 different dates in this article. When is the gathering? 1 tevet (flier), rosh chodesh Nissan, 4 Nissan, or (I assume not again) zot chanuka?
Please clean this up…kol tuv
The article has been clarified, thanks for your input. The gathering will be April 8th, 2019 – Nissan 4th, 5779.
When and how does one contribute the 100 shekel towards what the Rav said to do with each ones own Truma and machatzis hashekel
We will try to clarify more of the details as soon as we can, and post up responses to all the queries here. Thanks for your input!
Can one send their Half shekel electronically if they cannot attend the prayers in person and still be counted?
In addition to the 100 ש”ח contribution, please pass along details about transportation – when, where, how much, how to sign up, etc.
Will the event be a live broadcast so that those who are unable to attend (for example, those folks outside of Israel) can still participate remotely? That would help increase the numbers!
Another thought – When all the pertinent details are known, I think it would be much clearer to post a NEW article with ALL those details -leave out details of the last prayer gathering in December, 2018. That gathering is over and done with.
People aren’t going to come if it’s not clear when, where, and how. Hebron isn’t simple to get into and out of. And this gathering is going to be majorly critical.