Rav Aryeh Finkel Shlit"a Visits Gil-ad's Family and Talks Ahdut and Mashiah

Rav Aryeh Finkel Shlit"a, the 90-year-old Rosh Yeshiva of Mir Brachfeld, who is departing for America, went to Gil'ad Sha'ar's home and talked to his father, Kikar reports.  Here's my translation:

A short while before his historic trip to Lakewood, the Ga'on Rav Aryeh Finkel, the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir Brachfeld, came for a special visit to the Sha'ar family, the parents of the kidnapped Gil-ad.

Already while on his way, the Rosh Yeshiva told those around him that he had nothing to say.   "What can I possibly say in such a place?  This is a terrible tragedy - how can I possibly encourage them?"

When his vehicle reached the home, Gil-ad's father [Ophir Sha'ar] went to the car to greet him and invite him in.  Rav Aryeh Finkel asked him, "You are Gil-ad's father?"  He answered that he was.  The Rosh Yeshiva continued and said, "Gil-ad Michael Ben Bat Galim - I pray 3 times a day and mention that name."

When they sat down, Rav Finkel said that the Ahdut that exists today - Haredim, Dati'yim, and Hilonim together - is something that hasn't occurred in hundreds of years.

"We all need to strengthen ourselves in expecting the Go'el Tzedek," said Rav Finkel.  "The Hafetz Hayim had a special suit that he hung up next to the door so that if Mashiah would come, he would immediately come to him in this special garment.  We need to really believe at every moment that he could come."

When Rav Finkel left the home, he kissed the hand of the father, and the father broke out crying.  Afterwards, the mother approached in tears and requested a Beracha.  The Rosh Yeshiva told her, "We will not ease off until salvation comes."  They accompanied him to his car.

It should be noted that during the visit, the mother approached one of the Rosh Yeshiva's grandchildren and told him with admiration, "The fact that the Haredi community prays - we know.  But that a Haredi Rav would come to this house, we didn't believe.  Thank you very much - you sanctified the Name of Heaven."

For more great Ahdut moments amid this tragedy, see:

• This rendition of Ani Ma'amin at the Kotel
• The Skvere Rebbe sending Shirayim Hallot to the families
• The spontaneous Tehillim on the 402 bus from Bnei Brak to Yerushalayim that really impressed a soldier
• UPDATE: Kotel Prayer Gathering Wednesday with Rabbanim of Various Streams in Attendance