Residents near the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood in Jerusalem thought that the terrorist's rifle shots Thursday night were pre-Purim firecrackers. The first day of two days marking the month of Adar II began Thursday night, and it marks the traditional beginning of festivities leading up to the Purim holiday in two weeks. Many of the students managed to barricade themselves in their rooms while the terrorist entered the yeshiva's library and study hall, sprayed bullets randomly and then hunted down students hiding under desks.

One of the youth who learns at the yeshiva pointed out the emotional difficulty the students face Friday, when special prayers of thanks [Hallel] to the Almighty are recited in honor of the new month.