Special Project • who left and who stayed in the shelled south?

Barrages of missiles and tragedy this morning in Kiryat Malachi emptied the cities of the south. Bus stations are full of residents making their way to their parents or to host families.

What is happening at the Yeshiva's? B'Chadrei Charedim went south and visited institutions of Torah and Chassidus. And the results are as follows:

• Ger Yeshiva in Ashdod: Beis Yisrael Yeshiva Gedola and Ketana, as well as the Yeshiva Ketana 'HaAchim Chantzinsky' - were all evacuated yesterday and returned home.
• Belze Yeshiva in Ashdod and Beit Chilkya and Komemyut dispersed in the Jerusalem and Bnei Brak Beis Medrash. This is by the direct order of the Belzer Rebbe.

Two Belzer chassidim who were supposed to celebrate their Aliya and Shalom Zachor on Shabbos, transferred their events to Jerusalem, and will be spending time with the Rebbe. Another chassid who was supposed to make a kiddush for his new baby daughter, postponed the kiddush to next week, by the Rebbe's orders.

• Vizhnitz chassidim from Ashdod will be hosted in the city of Elad in the hosting of Vizhnitz institutions in the city, who will host their colleague chassidim. Food is organized by the 'Vizhnitz Institutions Union', and accommodation will be in the Yeshiva buildings of 'Tzemach Tzaddik' and 'Yeshuos Moshe'. Shabbos Sheva Brachos of the Scharf and Held families, which was supposed to take place this Shabbos in Ashdod, was transferred to Bnei Brak by the orders of the Rebbe, who is currently in the U.S.

• The Vizhnitzer Rebbe said yesterday, following the wedding which was held in the courtyard of the Beit Midrash, 'Merkaz Chassidei Vizhnitz' on King Solomon Street in Bnei Brak, to Ashdod's community Dayan Rabbi Chagai Moshe Tzin, in response to a blessing for residents of Ashdod and the south: "indeed I heard, if the city will not be maintained by G-d, watchman have guarded in vain, G-d will raise his right hand, they will not have control, may their memory be blotted out."

Chassidim say that already yesterday morning, when the Rebbe arrived for morning prayers, the Rebbe emphasized the words "fear and trembling will fall on them" – and said it with lengthening and tears. Most of his followers have stayed for now in Ashdod and feel secure with the blessings of the Rebbe.

Recording of the words of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe:

• In the Chernobyl Yeshiva Ketana and Gedola in Ashdod studies are being held as normal in Beit Midrash of the Chassidus in Rovah 7. The Yeshiva board is looking for an alternative place for the Yeshiva starting on Sunday. The Chernobyl Rebbe himself will remain in the city as he did during 'Operation Cast Lead'.

• Pittsburgh Chassidus in the Kiryah in Ashdod said this morning that during the L'Chaim held by the Rebbe, after the morning prayers on the occasion of one of the sons of the Chassidim putting on Tefillin: "Many ask whether to leave. Those who feel that they cannot stay because of the children and want to go – should go. Whoever stays - should listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command and should not try to be clever."

Yeshiva students of 'Tzidkas Yosef' of the Chassidus went home this morning for Shabbos. After Shabbos it will be decided what to do, given the situation. Kollel students are learning in the shelter, in the Yeshiva's dining room.

The Yeshiva Ketana students have learned so far in the basement. This afternoon they went home, until after Shabbos and it will be decided where to continue to teach the students. The Pittsburg Rebbe will spend Shabbos in Har Nof, Jerusalem.
Chabad Yeshiva in Kiryat Gat-Kfar Chabad

• Torah institutions in Kiryat Gat: Yeshiva students of 'Tomchei Temimim', arrived this morning at Kfar Chabad. Those who were quick to get organized quickly boarded the bus, the Yeshiva management provided for the boys. They are learning at the Beis Menachem synagogue, and will join the main yeshiva students in Kfar Chabad. Some of the boys went to their homes or to relatives in the central region for Shabbos.

• Yeshivas 'Toshia' in Tifrach, led by Rabbi Aviezer Piltz, are continuing as usual. In a sign hung yesterday at the Yeshiva the Rosh Yeshiva requested the boys to strengthen their learning. "When there is an air raid everyone will remain in place and not turn around." The Yeshiva Ketana students in Tifrach, led by Rabbi Kravitz, were sent home yesterday.

• Yeshiva ;Shaarei Shmuot' in Beis Chilkiya were transferred this morning to the Boys Town building in Bayit Vegan Jerusalem, where 180 Yeshiva students will learn until the war is over. This is after heads of the yeshiva, Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda and Rabbi Aryeh Shapiro, consulted Hgr"ch Kanievsky, who ordered them to leave the Moshav immediately. The Yeshiva administration made every effort to find a place. Yeshiva students arrived at Bayit Vegan at noon and immediately heard a strengthening lecture from the Rosh Yeshiva, Hgr"a Shapiro. Head of Nahal Sorek Board, Eli Akosido, organized buses for the students.

• Grodno yeshiva in Ashdod: After Rosh Yeshiva Hgrd"tz Karelenstein spoke this morning with HaGaon Auerbach, he ordered all the Yeshivas under the presidency of 'Zichron Kedoshim', 'Kodesh Yaakov', and 'Nachlas Gavriel' in Ashdod to leave the city and go home for Shabbos. If the escalation continues even after Shabbos, they will find a place in Bnei Brak. Egged buses drove the boy's home to Bnei Brak and Jerusalem. Buses from a private company took the boys to other cities of the country.
Kollels in Netivot continue

• Netivot: Yeshiva Gedola 'Schar Schir' (former Negev) remains in place for now. Yeshiva Ketana, 'Ateret Shlomo', were dispersed to their homes last night. Kollels are continuing to study as usual. There is great activity being held at the organization, Ezer Metzion. The branch provides help to all residents in the south.

Even the Medrash for young students by 'Lev Leachim' in the city holds classes for youth in a protected Beit Midrash. Rockets and attacks are heard from the place in Gaza and most of the public remains from the beginning of the war. "There were only three sirens," says a local resident. The orthodox Rabbi in the city, Rabbi Shmuel Montag, issued a special proclamation calling on the community to grow in Torah and pray and comply with the security forces, "this is our obligation of and guard yourselves."

• Yeshiva of 'Bnei Ram', in Moshav Bnei Ram, headed by Rabbi Nachum Bauyer: 80 yeshiva students were sent home last night, by orders of Reb Aharon Leib Steinman.

• The Sephardic Yeshiva Gedola in Moshav Yesodot did not evacuate, since the Yeshiva is relatively outside the targeted area. Meanwhile they remain in Yeshiva and say Tehillim all the time.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!