In the shadow of the war and the security situation in Israel, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto’s Purim feast was held in combination with prayers for the release of all the hostages held captive by Hamas.
Rabbi Pinto's wine feast on the holiday of Purim is a traditional event, attended by thousands who come to share in the holiday joy and receive his blessing. This year, the nature of the event was changed to include prayers, and words of Torah and encouragement.
The event took place in the Shuva Israel center in Manhattan, with the participation of dignitaries of the local Jewish community, politicians and government officials, businessmen and billionaires who came from all over the US and the entire world, and thousands of his students who came to receive his blessing on Purim.
Rabbi Pinto’s son and successor Rabbi Yoel Pinto was at his side throughout the event. He received extraordinary affection from the crowd of thousands who repeatedly sang the song that became a sensation in Shuva Yisrael: "If a Jew knew who Rabbi Yoel is - he would be happy and dance a hundred and twenty years." The song was composed by the famous singer Adi Ran.
Despite his young age, Rabbi Yoel Pinto was known for his genius and proficiency in all areas of the Torah: the Written and Oral Law, chassidic thought, Jewish law and Torah mysticism. His Torah talks are deeply inspiring and rabbis and rebbes around the world seek his advice and guidance.
Rabbi Pinto’s table contained hundreds of bottles of wine, whiskey, tequila and more. Rabbi Pinto urged his followers to observe the commandments of the day - to drink and rejoice and give thanks for the miracle that the Holy One, blessed be He, performed for the Jewish people during the times of Queen Esther and the righteous Mordechai.
"He who performed miracles for us at the time of Mordechai and Esther will perform a great miracle for us today as well," Rabbi Pinto called out. "We must not for a moment forget the hostages who are greatly suffering in Gaza. We must not forget the soldiers who are fighting. We must not forget the bereaved families. We will pray now and cry out to the Holy One, blessed be He, to save us," he continued.
The enthusiastic singing during Rabbi Pinto's Purim feast did not stop for many hours. The orchestra and singers played and sang and Rabbi Pinto encouraged the thousands to rejoice and strengthen their dedication to Judaism.
This article was written in cooperation with Shuva Israel