5,000 Sanz Hasidim shouted with the Rebbe "Shema Yisrael" at a protest rally in front of Prison 10 • Watch

About 5,000 Sanz Hasidim from all Hasidic centers across the country gathered this evening (Thursday), led by the Rebbe - in front of Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid, for a prayer and shout rally.

Those attending the protest rally shouted about their imprisonment instead of that of an Abrecht, a father of two toddlers, who was arrested on Friday, and a Hasidic man who was arrested on Monday in Bnei Brak.

The Rebbe gave a poignant speech, and all participants received the 'yoke of the kingdom of heaven.'.

The speech given by the Rebbe of Sanz at the rally:

• Sometimes we feel heavy about our spiritual state, what is the value of our prayer and Torah compared to previous generations who served God with innocence and urgency. But when we see in our day the war against us from the forces of impurity, it strengthens us that our Torah and mitzvot still make an impression in heaven and above all, every good deed is important.
• The war is not about studying Torah, the war is about our Yiddishness. They want to uproot our way of life from us, to make the House of Israel like all the Gentiles.
• One must know and memorize, so as not to criticize Jews, God forbid, that in fact most of the residents here value religion and the Torah, as well as the Haredi Jews. Even if they themselves are babies who have been captured by our sorrows. They want their sons and descendants to remain Jews. They believe that the people of Israel without Torah and commandments has no right to exist. Rather, these are a handful of leaders and haters of religion who doubt if they are of the seed of Israel, the Arab Rav as the Holy Zohar calls them, and they are trying to impose their opinion on the public and incite the public against us using the tools at their disposal. And present it as if it is the opinion of the "majority.".
• I was told that in the meeting between the activists and the police about the rally today, most of the police were ashamed of themselves and apologized profusely, saying that they are ashamed of who they put in jail and who they guard. They value Torah scholars. And they are only taking orders.
• In the past two years, we have all seen miracles and wonders from God, how He who protects Israel protects the remnant of Israel, and who would be foolish to say that it is not only the merit of the Torah and the commandments that protect us.
• At this time, we must strengthen ourselves within ourselves and thank God for distinguishing us from the deviants who supposedly observe the commandments, but today it is evident to what extent they are enemies and fighters against the Torah and everything that is holy to us. We need to be more careful and separate ourselves from them and their ways. Know that only the path that our holy rabbis have laid out for us is the correct view and it is the only path of the Torah.
• It's easy to stand on this side of the fence and say, but we turn to the dozens of young men and young women who are here in prison behind the fence, Torah scholars and God-fearers, not just those from our community, but all of them there, blessed are you who were caught for the words of Torah, be strong and courageous, we all stand behind you and in the heart of your hearts.
• Let us search, investigate, and return to our paths, to be more careful about our Torah and prayer, to strengthen the walls of our holiness, each in his or her own situation, until we deserve that these days will turn into joy.

Photo: Moshe Goldstein