A feeling of anticipation is hanging in the air, until Rav Batzri gives the sign, to which the crowd answers with a great roar, the words pouring out of the thousands of hearts; “Shema Yisrael, HaShem Elokeinu, HaShem Echad!” The recital of Selichos is in unison, with Rav Batzri leading his flock, and their voices combine in an other-worldly sound. Then the crowd begins “Veya’avor al panav” which is cried out half in song, half in weeping, and the sound of the shofar grows stronger and stronger, penetrating the hearts of the mispallelim and inspiring them to new heights of teshuvah, to ascending in spirituality, after this night spent far from empty pursuits even by those youth who would otherwise have been far away – here they have come to derive inspiration from haRav Batzri.

The event extends late into the night, and all remain as if rooted, as if they were accustomed to such events, even though in fact this is possibly their only spiritual experience of such intensity of the whole year. As the sky above is shrouded in darkness and studded with stars, the people assembled below fill the air with their voices raised in song, and all merit to experience a purification of their hearts. Then Rav Batzri performs the minhag of kapparos and the ceremony of hataras nedarim for the whole community. In the early hours of the morning, when it is neither day nor night, finally the people begin to make their way home, feeling lightened of their sins, ready to greet the coming holy day, Yom Kippur, expectant that their prayers will rise to the Holy Throne.