More than 50,000 people participated Thursday in the historic Selichot gathering at the Western Wall, attended by Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto.
As has already become a tradition, prior to the Selichot prayers, the completion of thousands of volumes of the Zohar took place, along with the inauguration of a Torah scroll.
This is the fourth year that a completion of thousands of volumes of the Zohar has been held on the 25th of Elul, the day of the creation of the world. This was instituted by Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, reviving a decree that was established more than one hundred years ago by the great rabbis of the Land of Israel, but forgotten over the years.
Four years ago, Rabbi Pinto, led by his son and successor Rabbi Yoel Pinto, renewed the decree of completing thousands of volumes of the Zohar, studied throughout the year by thousands from all over the world. In the first years, the completion ceremony was held at the Menora Hall in Tel Aviv, with the participation of tens of thousands of learners.
In the past two years, the ceremony has been held at the Western Wall plaza, with the participation of tens of thousands, and it was broadcast and screened at dozens of locations around the world, as well as on the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.
The gathering, which took place on the eve of the yahrzeit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto the Great zt”l, was attended not only by the Admor Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, but also his father, the righteous rabbi Rabbi Chaim Pinto, the Chief Rabbi of the cities of Ashdod and Kiryat Gat Rabbi Menachem Pinto, and the sons of the Admor: Rabbi Yoel Moshe Pinto and Rabbi Meir Eliyahu Pinto. Also in attendance were Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Places, the kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Ades, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and political commentator Yaakov Bardugo.
As mentioned, in addition to the completion of thousands of volumes of the Zohar, a Torah scroll was inaugurated at the Western Wall plaza, in the merit of the Pinto family and in honor of the thousands of students of the Zohar. The moving event was accompanied by the Hasidic singer Mendy Weiss and keyboardist Ushi Zeiger, produced by Maoz Abadi, with songs of the Days of Awe and Simchat Torah.
At midnight, tens of thousands, led by Rabbi Pinto, began reciting the Selichot prayer, during which Rabbi Pinto blessed the crowd for a good and blessed year. At the conclusion of the gathering, Rabbi Pinto stood near the stones of the Western Wall and offered a prayer for the people of Israel and for the hostages.
Earlier that week, Rabbi Pinto had delivered dozens of Torah lessons throughout Israel and received thousands for blessings and advice. He also met with rabbis, admorim, politicians, and businessmen. In addition, he met with bereaved families, wounded soldiers, and families of hostages.
Photography: Shuki Lerrer, Daniel Elharar